White Chocolate, Cranberry, and Pistachio Fudge
20When you tell people you don’t want to find out the sex of the baby until you deliver, a lot of them say, “I could never do that! I am a HUGE planner.” Well, I have news for you, people – so am I. A huge one. I just fail to see what that has to do with the sex of your baby, unless your plan is to immediately purchase a baby jock strap or training bra. I’m just not one to paint a nursery bubblegum pink or buy a baby tuxedo. In fact, I think it takes more effort to plan things that are not specific to the sex of the baby because they will last longer (assuming your second child is a different sex). But that is neither here nor there…
When it comes to things like baking treats to give away or making meals for a large group of people, I planplanplan. I also change my mind about 150 times, which makes the planning that much more intense (and difficult, I suppose). I made a preliminary list of things I wanted to put in treat bags this year and was pretty proud of how quickly it came together. Everything was well-rounded in terms of mixing flavors, textures, things with nuts vs. things without, etc. But then I started over-thinking and over-planning, which led to changing the list…well, 150 times. I already mentioned that one peppermint chocolate cookie got swapped out for another. Well, so did a biscotti. I had originally planned on making pistachio-cranberry-white chocolate biscotti because I love the flavors and it’s so festive for the holidays, but when I later decided to make savory biscotti, I didn’t want to do a sweet version, too. Then I thought about using the same flavors with bark, but didn’t really feel like the possibility of my white chocolate seizing on me the instant I added extract. And, well, that is the train of thought down the rocky tracks of my holiday treat planning process that led to this white chocolate-pistachio-cranberry fudge. The colors are perfect for Christmas, the fudge is ridiculously easy to make, and of course it tastes great and incredibly rich, just like fudge should.
I hope all of my Christmas-celebrating readers have a wonderful Christmas!
White Chocolate-Cranberry-Pistachio Fudge
14 oz.* white chocolate, chopped (chips will work, too)
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup chopped dried cranberries, divided
1/2 cup dry roasted, unsalted pistachio pieces, divided
Line an 8″ square baking dish with parchment or foil.
Combine the white chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in a double boiler or a glass/stainless bowl over some simmering water. Heat until the mixture melts together, whisking occasionally. Stir in the vanilla extract and remove from the heat.
Add all but about 2 Tbsp. each of the cranberries and pistachios to the white chocolate mixture, stirring to combine. Spread the mixture into the baking dish in an even layer. Top with the remaining pistachios and cranberries, pressing them in slightly with a spatula if necessary. Allow fudge to set (I do so in the fridge) and then cut into 1 or 1.5″ squares.
*I used 14 oz. because it’s what I had leftover from a different recipe. I’ve made white chocolate fudge in the past with one pound, though, so feel free to use a pound so you don’t have to measure.
I loooove white chocolate and I love these flavors! I would have NEVER thought of putting them together into fudge and I’m totally enamoured with the idea! 🙂
I change my mind millions of times too. I’ve settled on Christmas dessert recipes only to change my mind a few minutes later, and now it’s the 23rd and I still don’t know what I’m going to make!
I love the chocolate-evaporated milk fudge because it’s so easy and never gets grainy!
Merry Christmas!
What a great fudge. I shall try this during the hollidays, when I find some time.
Stir in the peppermint extract ?
Yep! I’ve never had fudge seize on me before (probably because of all the milk?)
Looks beautiful Elly! Merry Xmas…enjoy the festivities!
What a classic holiday flavor combo! Looks great.
I always prefer white chocolate than those dark and the brown ones. It looks mild and not that sweet. I am going to try this if I have the time. Thanks.
How much peppermint extract?
Sounds so easy….and good
Doh, it took me TWO comments to realize I had referred to peppermint instead of vanilla. Fixed it now!
I made fudge once when I was first married eight years ago … even though it turned out really well, I haven’t made any since. This holiday version looks so decadent! Would love to try it some time. Merry Christmas Elly! Oh, and I didn’t find out the sex of either of my two children til the day they were born and if we have any more I will not find out with them either … there are few real surprises in life so why ruin one of the biggest!
This fudge would be a great addition to the fetivities Elly. Have a wonderful holiday season!!!
Happy Holidays!
This fudge was great!! It was a HUGE hit at the office and with the family!
Thanks Elly! 🙂
I’m a planner too! Love this fudge, it looks fantastic with the cranberries and pistachios!
i made it and it was fabulous….i figured the “peppermint” part was a typing error ….
White chocolate, cranberry and pistachio is one of my favorite holiday combos and it would be perfect in fudge form!
Thanks for the recipe! How long do you think this would last for? I presume it would keep best in a sealed container at room temperature.
Thanks!
Jo – I’m not really sure, but I think it would last quite a while. You can keep it at room temp or in the fridge.