Strawberry Fudge Recipe

Last Valentine's Day, Sarah asked me to make something pink and sweet for her class party. I wanted something simple that wouldn't take all day, and that's when I discovered strawberry fudge. Honestly, I was amazed at how easy it was to make this gorgeous pink candy that looks like you spent hours on it.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Strawberry Fudge
• Ingredients For Making Strawberry Fudge
• How To Make Strawberry Fudge Step By Step
• Storage And Reheating For Strawberry Fudge
• Tips For Perfect Strawberry Fudge
• Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Fudge
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts On Strawberry Fudge
• Strawberry Fudge Recipe

This creamy, dreamy fudge has become my go-to treat whenever I need something special. The pretty pink swirl makes it perfect for Valentine's Day, but we love it year-round. Alex even asked if I could make it for his birthday party last year because it tastes that good.

The best part? You don't need any fancy equipment or complicated techniques. Just a few ingredients, one pot, and about 20 minutes of active time. If you're looking for more sweet treats to make, check out my Valentine's Oreo Truffles that are always a hit with the kids.

Why You Will Love This Strawberry Fudge

• Super Simple - Just one pot and basic stirring, no candy thermometer needed
• Quick Prep - Only takes about 5 minutes to get everything ready
• Beautiful Pink Swirl - Looks fancy but couldn't be easier to create
• Creamy Texture - Melts in your mouth with every bite
• Makes 25 Pieces - Perfect for sharing with friends, family, or classroom parties
• Gift-Worthy - Package it up for a homemade Valentine's gift that beats store-bought any day

Ingredients For Making Strawberry Fudge

• 2 teaspoons strawberry extract (I always use Watkins brand)
• ½ teaspoon red food color gel
• ¾ cup salted sweet cream butter
• ½ cup half and half
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla flavoring
• 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1¾ cups good quality white baking chips (Ghirardelli works best)
• 7 ounces marshmallow fluff (that's one container)

I've found that using good quality white chocolate chips really makes a difference. Don't skip on that part. The cheap ones just don't melt as smoothly.

How To Make Strawberry Fudge Step By Step

Getting Ready

Line your 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Make sure it goes up all four sides so you can lift the fudge out easily later. Trust me on this one - I learned the hard way when I tried to skip this step and ended up with fudge stuck to my pan.

Grab a small glass bowl and mix together the strawberry extract and red food color gel. I use glass because it won't stain. Set this aside for later.

Making The Base

Add the butter, half and half, heavy cream, and clear vanilla to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. I use a 4-quart pot because it gives me plenty of room to stir without splashing.

Turn the heat to medium and stir constantly until the butter melts completely. This takes about 2 minutes.

Cooking The Sugar Mixture

Pour in all the sugar and keep stirring. Don't stop stirring here - this is important. The mixture will start to simmer after about 6 to 7 minutes.

Once it's simmering, keep stirring for another 3 minutes. Your arm might get tired, but it's worth it. I usually put on some music and just zone out while I stir.

Take the pan off the heat.

Adding The Chocolate

Add those white baking chips right into the hot mixture. Put a lid on the pan and let everything sit for 3 to 4 minutes. This gives the chips time to soften up.

After the rest time, stir until all the chips are completely melted and smooth. Then add the marshmallow fluff and stir it in until you can't see any white streaks.

Creating The Pink Swirl

Pour about three-quarters of the fudge into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

Now here's the fun part. Take that red mixture you made earlier and stir it into the remaining fudge in the pan. Keep stirring until the color is nice and even.

Drop spoonfuls of the pink fudge on top of the white base. Then take a kitchen knife and swirl it around to create a pretty pattern. Sarah loves helping with this step - it's like making art you can eat.

Setting The Fudge

Let the fudge sit on your counter for 30 minutes. Then move it to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. I usually make mine the night before I need it.

Once it's completely set, lift the whole thing out using the parchment paper. Use a big sharp knife to cut it into 25 pieces. I cut 5 rows one way and 5 rows the other way.

Storage And Reheating For Strawberry Fudge

Keep your strawberry fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 2 weeks, though it never lasts that long in our house.

You can freeze the whole uncut block for up to 2 months. Just wrap it really well in plastic wrap first. If you want to freeze individual pieces, separate them with waxed paper so they don't stick together.

This fudge tastes best cold, straight from the fridge. There's no need to reheat it - the texture is perfect when it's chilled.

Tips For Perfect Strawberry Fudge

Here's something I learned after making this a few times - if your kitchen runs cold, you can let the fudge cool on the counter overnight instead of refrigerating it right away. Donald keeps our apartment pretty cool in winter, so I've done this when I make it in January or February.

Want a lighter pink color? Just use less food coloring. I've made it with only a quarter teaspoon before, and it comes out a really pretty pale pink.

Make sure you use a glass bowl for mixing the extract and food color. I made the mistake once of using a plastic bowl and it stained bright red. Glass won't stain at all.

The parchment paper going up the sides isn't optional. I know it seems fussy, but it makes getting the fudge out so much easier. Plus, you get cleaner edges that way.

If you're giving this as a gift, I like to cut it into pieces and arrange them in a clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon. It looks really nice and people always think you spent way more effort than you actually did.

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Fudge

Can I Make Strawberry Fudge Ahead Of Time For Gifting?

Yes, absolutely. I actually think this fudge tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to blend together.

Make it up to 2 weeks ahead and keep it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to gift it, cut it into pieces and package it up. It stays firm and delicious the whole time.

I made 3 batches last Valentine's Day for Sarah's teachers, and I spread the work out over a week. Much less stressful than trying to do it all at once.

How Do I Get A Clean Pink Swirl In Strawberry Fudge?

The key is not to overmix when you're creating the swirl pattern. I've learned that less is more here.

Drop the pink fudge in several spots across the white base. Then drag your knife through in an S-pattern or figure-eight motion. Do this maybe 3 or 4 times total and then stop.

If you keep swirling, the colors blend together too much and you lose that pretty pattern. Alex helped me make a batch once and swirled it about 20 times - it turned out completely pink with no swirl at all.

Why Didn't My Strawberry Fudge Set Properly?

This usually happens if the sugar mixture didn't cook long enough. You need to let it simmer for the full 3 minutes after it starts bubbling.

I use a timer now because I used to guess, and my fudge would sometimes turn out too soft. The timer keeps me honest.

Also, make sure you're stirring constantly while the mixture cooks. If you don't stir enough, the temperature won't be even throughout and that affects how it sets.

How Should Strawberry Fudge Be Stored Or Frozen?

Always store this fudge in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The marshmallow fluff and cream mean it needs to stay cold.

For freezing, I wrap the uncut block tightly in plastic wrap, then put it in a freezer bag. When I want to use it, I let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

If you're freezing cut pieces, layer them with waxed paper in between so they don't stick. I learned this after freezing a batch without the paper - what a mess that was.

Recipes You May Like

• Valentine's Oreo Truffles - Another easy treat perfect for Valentine's Day that the kids can help make
• White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge - Similar technique but with a minty twist for the holidays
• Creamy Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls - If you love homemade candy, these are a must-try

Final Thoughts On Strawberry Fudge

This strawberry fudge recipe has saved me so many times when I needed a special treat fast. It's simple enough to make on a busy weeknight but looks impressive enough for gifts.

Sarah asks me to make this at least once a month now. She loves how pink it is, and I love how easy it is to throw together. Donald says it's his favorite thing I make, which is saying something considering how much I cook.

Give this recipe a try for your next celebration, or just because you deserve something sweet. It's one of those recipes that makes you look like a baking superstar without the stress.

Don't forget to save this to Pinterest so you can find it when Valentine's Day rolls around!

Print