Candied Cherry Opera Fudge

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Studded with candied cherries, this fudge recipe is a real showstopper. Make this fruity fudge for the holidays, or serve it as an extra special treat.

Candied Cherry Opera Fudge
Photo: Andy Lyons
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Stand Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
20

Ingredients

  • 2 cup sugar

  • ½ cup milk

  • ½ cup half-and-half or light cream

  • 1 tablespoon light-colored corn syrup

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • cup coarsely chopped candied red cherries

  • Halved candied red cherries (optional)

Directions

  1. Line a 5-3/4x3x2-inch loaf pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. Butter the foil; set aside.

  2. Butter the sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan. In the saucepan combine the sugar, milk, half-and-half, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Clip a candy thermometer to sides of pan.

  3. Continue boiling at a moderate, steady rate, stirring occasionally, until thermometer registers 236 degrees F, soft ball stage, (about 20 minutes). Adjust heat as necessary to maintain a steady boil.

  4. Remove saucepan from heat. Add butter and vanilla but do not stir. Cool, without stirring, to 170 degrees F (about 20 minutes). Remove thermometer from saucepan. Beat mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon for 5 minutes. Add 1/3 cup cherries. Beat mixture vigorously for 1 minute more. Pour into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Let stand until firm. Use foil to lift fudge from pan; remove foil. To serve, top with additional cherries. Cut fudge into thick slices. Makes 20 servings.

*

Before making candy, always calibrate your thermometer by placing in boiling water. Adjust candy temperature depending on whether the water boils above or below 212°F. We recommend the digital Williams-Sonoma Oil and Candy Thermometer. The digital read out makes cooking to the right temperature easy. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/digital-oil-and-candy-thermometer/

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

108 Calories
1g Fat
24g Carbs
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 20
Calories 108
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 71mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Total Sugars 22g
Calcium 20.2mg 2%
Potassium 18mg 0%
Vitamin B-12 0.1mcg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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