In The Pink White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge

Ok, so I wasn't able to finish posting all of my holiday posts yesterday before the kids started needing my attention.  Today I'll finish off the series with some fudge recipes.  What holiday baking list would be complete without fudge? I love fudge.  Every variety of it - chocolate, peanut butter, chocolate with peanut butter, and maple.  This year I tried two new flavors of fudge: White chocolate cranberry and maple pumpkin (the latter will be my next post).  This white chocolate fudge recipe is nice because it doesn't require the use of a candy thermometer.

I actually made this pink white chocolate cranberry fudge the first time in November for my daughter's birthday party.  I needed both pink and purple desserts and stumbled upon this fudge recipe while browsing the web.  I love white chocolate (even though my husband gets on me for it not being "real" chocolate), so I knew I'd love this fudge.  I omitted the nuts because I never put nuts in my baked goods, but the cranberries were a welcome addition.  The original recipe calls for cherries, but I did not have those on hand.  The dried cranberries work well as a substitute, as they are both tart and sweet.  Everyone who tried this at the party loved it, so if you're looking for something a little bit different this holiday season, I'd encourage you to try this fudge.

In The Pink White Chocolate Cranberry (Almond) Fudge
adapted from Imperial Sugar

2 cups Imperial Sugar® Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup butter
3 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups (one 12 ounce bag) white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
3-4 drops red food coloring
1/2 cup chopped slivered almonds, toasted (I omitted these)

Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil (I used a 9x9 inch pan). Butter foil and set aside.

Combine sugar, cream and butter in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until blended. Increase heat to medium. Bring to a boil.  Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in marshmallows and white chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in cranberries, enough food coloring to turn fudge pink (3-4 drops) and nuts, mixing until well blended.

Spoon into prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares.  Store tightly covered in refrigerator for up to a month.