Alice Rettke'S Christmas Fudge
A rich, indulgent Christmas fudge packed with chocolate, dried fruits, nuts, and coconut, perfect for festive gatherings and satisfying sweet cravings.
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup butter ⓘ
- 1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 cup flaked coconut ⓘ
- 2 (9 oz.) bars milk chocolate, chopped ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) jar marshmallow cream ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons vanilla ⓘ
- 2 (6 oz.) packages semi-sweet chocolate chips ⓘ
- 1/2 cup candied pineapple
- 1/2 cup candied cherries
- 1/2 cup pecans ⓘ
- 1/2 cup almonds ⓘ
- 1/2 cup filberts ⓘ
- 1/2 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup seeded Muscat raisins ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dried white figs, stems removed ⓘ
- 2 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped ⓘ
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add sugar, butter, evaporated milk, and salt; stir until all the sugar is dissolved.
- Set aside.
- Heavily butter a cookie sheet; evenly spread coconut, pressing it in slightly.
- Chill the coconut-lined sheet in the refrigerator while the candy is cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine milk chocolate, marshmallow cream, vanilla, semi-sweet chocolate, and unsweetened chocolate.
- Coarsely chop all fruits and nuts; add them to the bowl with the chocolate mixture.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier fudge, consider substituting half of the evaporated milk with heavy cream. Ensure the sugar is fully dissolved before adding the chocolate; this prevents graininess. If you're short on time, pre-chopped nuts and dried fruits can save you effort. This fudge pairs beautifully with Thumbprint Cookies-Pecan for a festive treat.
Serving Suggestions
Cut the fudge into small squares for easy serving, and consider dusting it with powdered sugar for a festive touch. It complements a warm cup of cocoa or coffee perfectly. For a delightful dessert table, serve alongside Peppermint Stick Candy Layer Cake or other holiday treats to create a colorful array.
Storage & Reheating
Store the fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If you need to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a month. To enjoy it at room temperature again, allow it to sit out for about 30 minutes before serving, ensuring the texture remains soft and chewy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Alice Rettke'S Christmas Fudge contains roughly 426 calories, with 5g protein, 48g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. It also contributes 7g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of nuts in this fudge?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute with your favorite nuts like walnuts or cashews. Just keep the total quantity the same to maintain the fudge's texture.
How can I make this fudge more chocolatey?
You can increase the amount of chocolate chips or add an extra bar of milk chocolate. Alternatively, you could use bittersweet chocolate for a richer flavor, but adjust the sugar accordingly.
Is it possible to make this fudge without coconut?
Yes, you can omit the coconut or replace it with an equal amount of crushed graham crackers or more chopped nuts to maintain the texture while catering to personal preferences.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).