Yield:36 bite-sized squares (18 servings) — 2 squares per serving from one 8-inch square pan 1x
Diet:Vegetarian
Description
Halloween Dracula Dark Cherry Fudges — a no-bake dark chocolate fudge swirled with cherry gelatin-coated maraschino cherries and eerie blood-red streaks, perfect for Desserts & Sweets and Halloween entertaining. Makes 36 squares (18 servings) in 2 hours 25 minutes with just 9 simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
3 cups dark chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1 (3 oz) box cherry gelatin powder
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
Red gel food coloring (optional)
Extra maraschino cherry halves for garnish
Instructions
Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
In a medium saucepan, combine dark chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Heat over low flame, stirring constantly until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat.
Stir in vanilla and almond extract.
In a separate bowl, toss chopped maraschino cherries with cherry gelatin powder until coated.
Add the cherry mixture to the melted chocolate and gently swirl with a spatula for marbled red streaks.
Optional: Add a few drops of red gel food coloring on top and drag a toothpick through to create bloody swirls.
Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared dish and smooth the top. Press cherry halves on top for decoration.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm.
Lift the fudge out using the parchment paper, cut into 36 squares, and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Store your Halloween Dracula Dark Cherry Fudges in the fridge for up to 10 days in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep the container toward the back of the fridge where the temperature stays most consistent, away from strong-smelling foods. The fudge firms up nicely when cold and slices even more cleanly after a full 12 hours of refrigeration, making chilled squares the ideal serving texture.
For freezer storage, flash-freeze individual squares on a parchment-lined sheet first, then transfer to freezer bags. Halloween Dracula Dark Cherry Fudges keep for up to 3 months frozen without any texture degradation. Squeeze out all air before sealing the bags, and label with the date. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. According to food storage guidelines, confections stored at 0°F remain safe indefinitely.
To reheat in the oven for a warm, molten fudge experience, preheat to 250°F and place squares on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Warm for 5 minutes only — just long enough to soften the edges while keeping the center intact. This technique works beautifully if you want to serve Halloween Dracula Dark Cherry Fudges as a warm dessert over vanilla ice cream. Remove promptly; overheating will cause the chocolate to lose its smooth set.
For a quick microwave reheat, place 2 squares on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 10-second bursts at 50% power, checking after each interval. Two bursts — roughly 20 seconds total — is typically enough to bring refrigerated Halloween Dracula Dark Cherry Fudges to a soft, slightly gooey state. Avoid full power, which can scorch the dark chocolate and cause the butter to separate, leaving an oily film on the surface.
While unconventional, an air fryer reheat creates a lightly caramelized exterior on your Halloween Dracula Dark Cherry Fudges. Set the air fryer to 275°F and place squares in a single layer on parchment inside the basket. Heat for 3 minutes maximum. The result is a warm fudge with a barely crisp shell and a melting interior — a unique textural twist. Use this method only for immediate serving, as the exterior will soften again once the squares cool down.
