Dracula’s Dark Cherry Halloween Fudge Recipe (Spooky & Easy!)

Tired of the same old pumpkin and candy corn treats every October? This year, sink your fangs into something truly decadent, dark, and dangerously delicious. Introducing Halloween Dracula’s Dark Cherry Fudge—a spooky confection that combines the sinful richness of dark chocolate with the sweet, blood-red bite of cherry. This easy, no-bake Halloween fudge recipe is the perfect sinister centerpiece for your party dessert table, guaranteed to lure in every ghoul and goblin with its mesmerizing cherry swirls and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Forget basic sweets; this fudge is a dramatic, vampiric delight that looks as thrilling as it tastes. With its deep chocolate flavor and gooey cherry pieces, it’s an unforgettable treat that’s surprisingly simple to conjure up in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

Here is the “potion” you’ll need to create this hauntingly good fudge.

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
Rich dark chocolate chips	3 cups
Sweetened condensed milk	1 can (14 oz)
Unsalted butter	2 tablespoons
Pure vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
Almond extract (optional)	½ teaspoon
Cherry gelatin powder	1 box (3 oz)
Sweet maraschino cherries, chopped	½ cup
Maraschino cherry halves, for garnish	For topping
Red gel food coloring (optional)	A few drops

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Chilling Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes

In less time than it takes to watch a classic horror movie, you can have this spectacular fudge setting in your fridge. It’s a quick, no-bake dessert that delivers maximum impact with minimal effort.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This “parchment sling” will allow you to easily lift the entire block of fudge out for clean slicing later on. Tip: Lightly grease the parchment paper to ensure absolutely no sticking.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolatey Core

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the dark chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter together. Stir constantly until the mixture is completely smooth, glossy, and uniform. Tip: To prevent scorching, use a double boiler or melt the ingredients in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one, until smooth.

Step 3: Infuse the Flavors

Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract and optional almond extract. The almond extract is a secret weapon that beautifully enhances the cherry notes, giving the fudge a more complex, gourmet flavor.

Step 4: Create the Bloody Hue

Add the entire box of cherry gelatin powder to the chocolate mixture. Stir vigorously until the powder is fully dissolved and no specks remain. If you desire a more intense, “bloody” red swirl effect, add a few drops of red gel food coloring and stir gently just once or twice to create dramatic streaks rather than a uniform color.

Step 5: Fold in the Cherries

Gently fold in the ½ cup of chopped maraschino cherries. Be careful not to overmix; you want to see distinct pieces of cherry distributed throughout the fudge for those delightful textural bursts.

Step 6: Pour and Smooth

Pour the fudge mixture into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer, ensuring it reaches all the corners. Smooth the top for a professional, clean finish.

Step 7: Garnish with a Final Touch

Artfully place the reserved maraschino cherry halves on top of the fudge. You can arrange them in a neat grid, a random pattern, or however your spooky inspiration strikes. Gently press them into the surface so they adhere as the fudge sets.

Step 8: Chill to Perfection

Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or until the fudge is completely firm to the touch. This chilling time is crucial for the fudge to set properly, so don’t rush it.

Step 9: Slice Your Creation

Once firm, use the parchment paper overhangs to lift the fudge from the pan onto a cutting board. To get clean, sharp squares, slice the fudge using a large, sharp knife. Tip: For extra-clean cuts, run the knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each slice. This prevents the chocolate from dragging and ensures perfect squares.

Nutritional Information

This is an indulgent treat perfect for a special occasion. The following is an estimate per serving, based on the recipe yielding 36 squares.

• Calories: 115 kcal
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g (Sugar: 13 g)
• Fat: 6 g (Saturated: 3.5 g)
• Sodium: 20 mg

The dark chocolate in this recipe provides antioxidants, while the condensed milk offers a small amount of calcium.

Healthier Alternatives

Want to make a slightly less sinful version of this decadent treat? Here are a few swaps:

• Reduce Sugar: Use a high-percentage dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) to lower the sugar content and intensify the chocolate flavor. You can also look for sugar-free sweetened condensed milk alternatives.
• Go Natural with Cherries: Swap the maraschino cherries for ½ cup of chopped, unsweetened dried cherries or fresh, pitted dark cherries for a more natural fruit flavor and less added sugar.
• Make It Vegan: This recipe is easily adaptable for a plant-based diet. Use dairy-free dark chocolate chips, coconut condensed milk, and a plant-based butter substitute. The results are just as creamy and delicious.
• Nutrient Boost: Add ¼ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a boost of healthy fats, protein, and a delightful crunch.

Serving Suggestions

This Halloween fudge recipe is made to be the star of your spooky celebration.

• Dessert Charcuterie Board: Arrange the fudge squares on a dark platter surrounded by other Halloween treats like gummy worms, candy eyeballs, dark berries, and chocolate-covered pretzels for a dramatic effect.
• Party Favors: Wrap individual fudge squares in clear cellophane bags tied with black or orange ribbon. They make fantastic take-home gifts for your party guests.
• Ice Cream Topping: Crumble a square of fudge over a scoop of vanilla bean or cherry ice cream for an ultra-decadent dessert.
• Coffee Pairing: Serve a small square alongside a cup of dark roast coffee or an espresso. The bitterness of the coffee beautifully balances the sweetness of the fudge.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overheating the Chocolate: Melting chocolate too quickly or on high heat will cause it to seize, becoming grainy and unusable. Solution: Always use low, gentle heat and stir constantly, or use the microwave in short bursts.
• Not Chilling Long Enough: Impatience is the enemy of good fudge. If you slice it before it’s fully set, you’ll have a gooey mess. Solution: Allow for the full 2 hours of chilling time, or even longer, until it’s completely firm.
• Using a Dull Knife: A dull knife will squash the fudge and create messy, crumbling edges. Solution: Use a large, very sharp chef’s knife. For best results, warm the blade in hot water and wipe it clean between cuts for perfectly professional squares.
• Overmixing the Food Coloring: If you’re going for the “bloody” swirl effect, stirring too much will blend the color in completely. Solution: Add the red gel and fold it in just one or two times to create distinct, spooky streaks.

Storing Tips

Proper storage will keep your dark creation fresh and delicious.

• Refrigeration: Store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Layer the squares between sheets of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
• Freezing: This fudge freezes exceptionally well. Wrap the entire block or individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
• Serving: For the best texture, let the fudge sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving. Thaw frozen fudge in the refrigerator overnight.

Conclusion

This Halloween Dracula’s Dark Cherry Fudge is more than just a dessert; it’s a conversation starter, a showpiece, and an unforgettably delicious experience. With its rich dark chocolate, sweet cherry bursts, and dramatic appearance, it captures the fun and spooky spirit of Halloween perfectly. Best of all, this impressive Halloween fudge recipe requires no baking and comes together with just a few simple steps, making it accessible for candy makers of all skill levels. We promise this treat will have everyone under its spell.

Ready to bring Dracula’s fudge to life? Try the recipe for your next Halloween gathering and let us know how it turned out in the comments below! We’d love to see your spooky creations. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more sinfully delicious ideas.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different type of chocolate?

Yes, you can! While dark chocolate provides the “Dracula” theme and balances the sweetness, semi-sweet chocolate works wonderfully for a slightly sweeter, classic fudge. You could even use white chocolate and add black food coloring for a different spooky aesthetic.

Q2. Do I have to use the cherry gelatin powder?

No, it’s not strictly necessary, but it’s highly recommended. The gelatin powder not only adds an extra layer of cherry flavor that complements the maraschino cherries but also helps give the fudge a fantastic, chewy texture and a vibrant red hue. If you omit it, the cherry flavor will be more subtle.

Q3. Can I make this fudge without a double boiler?

Absolutely. The easiest method is to use a heavy-bottomed saucepan on very low heat, stirring constantly to prevent the chocolate from burning at the bottom. Alternatively, a microwave is a great tool—just heat the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring well after each one, until everything is melted and smooth.

Q4. Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, as long as you use ingredients that are certified gluten-free. Most dark chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and gelatin powders are naturally gluten-free, but it’s always best to double-check the labels to be certain, especially for the extracts and any food coloring.

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