Saturday, February 11, 2012

Maraschino Cherry Fudge

How about an easy, last minute Valentine treat... I wanted a little something special for dinner with the boys tomorrow and decided to dress up 5 Minute Fudge by simply adding a maraschino cherry and cutting it with a heart shaped cookie cutter-wa-la! They'd be so pretty placed in mini cupcake papers.
 Fancy minus the fuss:@)

What to do with the scraps? How about Fudge Balls:
Let the heat of your hands soften the fudge,
when it gets shiny roll it into a ball and embellish with candy decorations.

5 Minute Fudge with Maraschino Cherries 
(Foolproof fudge! This recipe has been around forever and can be cut in half, just use a bread pan)
2 Tblsp butter
2/3 C evaporated milk (the 12oz can makes 2 batches)
1 2/3 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 C mini marshmallows
1 1/2 C good semi-sweet choco chips (I like Ghirardelli)
1 tsp vanilla
Maraschino cherries, dried well
  1. Combine butter, milk, sugar and salt in sauce pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  2. Bring to a full boil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring all the time.
  3. Remove from heat and add marshmallows, chips and vanilla. (It's best to have all of this already measured out in a bowl ready to pour into the pot. I used walnuts in this post here.)
  4. Stir vigorously until marshmallows melt and blend in (a minute or two).
  5. Pour into 8" square buttered pan (I just line the bottom and sides of the pan with Reynolds Release or tin foil). Spread fudge out and smooth the top quickly.
  6. Push cherries (that you have dried very well on paper towels) into the fudge.
  7. Cool and cut into squares, or shapes with a cookie cutter. Note: it's easier to use the cookie cutter when the fudge is chilled and firm but not totally cold. 

25 comments:

  1. Ohhh...this looks so very easy, and sooooo yummy. I think I know some grandkids that will be happy with their granny...haha.
    Thank you for such a "sweet" idea.
    xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Two things I really LOVE...yummy! Happy Valentines Day!...hugs...Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks so festive! I must look and see if I have all the ingredients here at home! Thanks for sharing with us.♥♫

    ReplyDelete
  4. You clever girl! Love this idea and will be making some fudge this weekend. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mmmmm a chocolate fix in two minutes? Yum! Thanks for sharing this. xo

    ReplyDelete
  6. these look soooo delicious. I love little deserts that you can just pop into your mouth. Good job on that one!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Aren't you the clever girl! Cute and yummy! hugs, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lynn, I love this fudge and it never fails. Your creative fudge ideas make me smile. Very pretty and tasty too.
    Hugs, Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  9. That looks excellent, L! Expandable waistbands!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This was a favorite receipe of our family..clever idea to make heart candy.

    Happy Valentine's day

    Elaine

    ReplyDelete
  11. You can bet I'm adding this fudge to my "recipes to try" folder. (It keeps growing.) This sounds very easy. The cherries are an inspired idea. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wowie! Looks deeeelish! Can't wait to try some!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Chocolate in any shape is fine with me, Lynn. These little morsels look shall I say.... Sweet!! Chocolate is lethal for dogs so Holly won't be getting any for Valentine's Day. Don't know if the same is true for swine but I wouldn't take a chance. Sorry, Earl, they look yummy!------ Shannon

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for sharing this recipe..what could be better than cherries and fudge for Valentines? Will need to try this one for sure! Happy Pink Saturday and Valentines Day!
    Miss Bloomers

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yummy and fabulous! Thank you for the recipe.
    Happy Pink Valentines.

    Have a great week ahead.

    ♥ Regina

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ya know, I never think about making fudge except at Christmas time. Silly me, when it would make a perfectly lovely dessert treat on many other occasions. Thanks for showing me the error of my ways with these 2 adorable & most delicious sounding ideas!
    CAS

    ReplyDelete
  17. I make this fudge every Christmas but have never thought of transforming it into something else. Great idea! Thanks so much - I will use it. Happy Valentines Day! ~Marti

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is a great idea! So cute, betting they love it! Thanks so much for joining the party, pinning and tweeting this great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  19. You have the BEST ideas, Lynn! This fudge is just perfect for Valentine's Day!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a cute idea! Looks absolutely delicious too, Lynn.
    Blessings, Beth

    ReplyDelete
  21. Well, you are just so clever! Love both of these easy and pretty ideas! Thanks for sharing the fudge recipe and for linking it to the party. laurie

    ReplyDelete
  22. By the way, I hope it's okay that I'm going to pin this. laurie

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by-enjoy your day!