Get ready to have your fudge world rocked.
You guys already know that I used to “help” my mom put together plates with cookies and goodies for our friends, teachers, neighbors and acquaintances. What I didn’t tell you was that my favorite part of the whole day of cooking was making the fudge.
OH THE FUDGE!
We would start with condensed milk – I never really knew what it was or why, but that’s what Mom said to do. Add some sugar, a little vanilla, and stirstirstir until she tells us to add the chocolate and marshmallows. Oh, and the nuts. I’m not a big fan of nuts in fudge, and my sister and I would fight tooth and nail to have a batch made without it. But let’s be honest: even if the fudge had nuts in it I’d still eat it. I’d just let the fudge melt in my mouth and then spit the nuts out.
Just keepin’ it real guys. And classy.
But nuts on TOP of fudge I can handle. Especially when they’re sweet and salty pistachios. And the fudge is white chocolate. There’s a phrase for that: heaven on earth.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is that this is quick, it’s easy, it’s only slightly messy, and it’s 100% worth it. And it will rock your world. Promise.
TWO-TONE CHERRY PISTACHIO FUDGE
For the bottom layer:
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped dried OR fresh pitted cherries
For the top layer:
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1/2 cup shelled roasted salted pistachios
For each layer:
The method is the same, but you’ll be pouring one layer on top of the other. Additionally you can change this up, using any combination of nuts and dried fruit and chocolate you want!
First things first heavily butter a 9-inch square pan and measure out all of your ingredients. Trust me. In a large heavy pot bring the evaporated milk, sugar, and salt to a boil. Boil rapidly for 3-4 minutes; you’re not looking to reduce it to a thicker sauce, but more combine the sugar and the milk completely. Remove from the heat and IMMEDIATELY pour in the chocolate chips you’re using and the marshmallows. Stir until everything is melted then add the dried cherries (for the dark chocolate layer). Then pour immediately into the buttered pan. If you’re making the white chocolate pistachio layer then immediately sprinkle the pistachios over the top and lightly press into the chocolate. You’ll make the dark chocolate layer first, stirring in the cherries at the end, and then pour it into the pan. Wash the pan with hot water and then make the white chocolate fudge, pour that on top of the dark chocolate, and then sprinkle with pistachios. Let it all cool completely before cutting!
NOTE: when cutting, have a glass filled with HOT water that you’re dipping your knife into each time you make a cut. This will give you a more clean cut and leave the fudge intact!
Ah yes, fudge. Rock my world!
These look beautiful. I have a pistachio fudge recipe and a cherry fudge recipe, never thought to combine them. LOVE!
Heather, this fudge is so pretty & I love that you flavored with cherries!
i love the two tone idea ! very classy & beautiful
Oh my Lordy this is too much! Wow do I want some of this. I think it is not only so pretty and festive – truly – but oooh all those flavors! Chocolate – yes – marshmallows – heaven – dried cherries – love the fruity tangy – and salted pistachios! I never ever make candy of any kind but this has my name all over it!
I love how pretty this is! I always used condensed milk in my fudge, not evap, I would want to try your recipe soon!
Now that’s an awesome piece of fudge! Love.
I’m going to take a swim in that fudge. Goodness!
My aunt made the best fudge in the whole world, and she never taught anyone how to make it. I’ve tried, but its never quite right. This however, is far enough away from her fudge recipe that they probably won’t be compared.
oh my – I love pistachios and I love fudge. This is a clear winner for me!!
Holy Moly. You just totally did that.
I love cherries in my fudge.
I love salty nutty flavors with my sweet.
You just combined them and then threw one on top of the other. In a colorful and beautiful and flavorful confection!
Stand back while I run to the store to get pistachios.
This just looks heavenly – so good.
oh myyyyyy…this looks awesome. i LOVE cherries…they’re so good!! lately im obsessed with dark chocolate cherry kind bars…i think this would be WAY better
Pistachios are so gorgeous. I love this!
This is stunning Heather… I love the pistachios!!
I have never made my own fudge, but this right here, this recipe is going to be the first one I make! Drooling over here!! YUM!
Beautiful! I really think you should just quit your job and be a food photography for Gourmet magazine.
& by food photography, I mean food photographer…take effect, coffee!
this sounds AND looks heavenly. i could dig right in, lovely post and pics. 🙂
I’m not a huge white chocolate fan but this looks delicious! It’s so pretty with the pistachios 🙂