Cranberry Orange Fudge is homemade fudge like you’ve never tasted before. Dried cranberries and orange zest give this soft, sweet fudge an astonishing kick of flavor!
My Eggnog Fudge is another fudge recipe you need to make this holiday season. This Grinch Peppermint Fudge gets rave reviews every year too.
Why this Recipe Works
Is it even the holiday season if you don’t indulge in a few (or a few dozen) squares of fudge?
This Cranberry Orange Fudge recipe makes a fun change from all the chocolate and peppermint you see this time of year. Classic winter cranberry flavor tastes even better when you add zesty orange!
- Vanilla fudge makes the tart cranberries pop!
- NO candy thermometer needed.
- Perfect for the holidays. . . or all year long.
Best of all, this fudge is unbelievably easy to make. It’s ideal for fudge making novices and experts alike.
Ingredient Notes
- Orange zest – You will need the zest of three full oranges here. The zest is the outermost layer of the peel–the colorful part. It adds intense orange aroma and light citrus taste to the fudge. Use our guide on how to zest a lemon for best tips and tricks.
- Marshmallow fluff – My secret weapon for home fudge making! Also called “marshmallow creme” it makes the fudge velvety soft and smooth.
- White chocolate morsels – Use a good quality chocolate, such as Ghirardelli, for the best tasting fudge.
- Dried cranberries – Sweet and bite sized, these are folded into the fudge mixture for beautiful color and cranberry flavor.
Tips and Tricks
- Boil for four minutes: Set a timer when the liquid mixture comes to a boil. It needs to cook at a rolling boil for a full four minutes, while you stir it. Boiling time STARTS when there are bubbles all across the surface.
- Use an electric mixer: Pour the hot liquid ingredients over the chocolate and marshmallow creme. Then use the mixer to mix everything until melted and combined.
- Allow to set: After pouring the fudge into the baking dish, let it set at room temperature for at least 3 hours. Then, cut and serve!
Recipe FAQs
Store in an airtight container. Cranberry Orange Fudge keeps well at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the fridge for 2 weeks. You can also freeze this fudge! It’ll stay good in the freezer for about 3 months.
The key to keeping fudge soft and fresh is cutting it right before serving. If you won’t be eating it all right away, slice off only what you need. Leave the rest in one big square to store.
No, this fudge has no marshmallow flavor at all! The marshmallow fluff gives the fudge its creamy texture but doesn’t change the flavor. All you’ll taste is white chocolate, vanilla, orange and cranberry!
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Cranberry Orange Fudge
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- pinch of kosher salt
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons orange extract
- 3 large oranges zested (about 4 Tablespoons zest)
- 11 ounces white chocolate chips 1 bag
- 7 ounces marshmallow fluff 1 jar
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Line an 9" square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, heat butter, sugar, salt and heavy cream over medium high heat. Bring to a rolling boil while stirring constantly. Set timer and boil for a full FOUR minutes (keep stirring).
- Place orange extract, orange zest, white chocolate morsels, and marshmallow fluff in a large mixing bowl. Pour boiling butter mixture over morsels. Turn electric mixer on medium and combine until white chocolate is melted and smooth. Fold in dried cranberries.
- Pour into prepared dish. Allow to set for 3 hours. Cut into bites and serve.
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Or refrigeratre for up to two weeks.
- Freeze: Freeze fudge in airtight container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Perfect white chocolate fudge with a pop of color! Don’t wait for the holidays to make this delicious easy Cranberry Orange Fudge.
Just made your fudge this morning and it is awesome! Christmas in a bite!! I’ll be adding this to my teachers tin gifts.
Thanks! This fudge is on my list of “to make” today! how funny!
Random Question: What does the Marshmallow fluff do? Is there anything I could sub for it (I really don’t like marshmallows, I know I’m weird!)?
BTW: this looks delicious!! I’m going to try and make it this weekend!
Hi Stephanie, the marshmallow fluff helps give the fudge it’s creamy texture. It in no way makes this fudge taste like marshmallow! I think you’re safe 🙂
Awesome! Thanks!
Oh, you had me at Cranberry Orange, yum!
Love your new tagline-fudge makes everything better. And can we just stop the clocks? I’m not ready for the kids to grow up or winter to arrive. 😉
I hear ya on the kids growing up in the blink of an eye! Lately I feel like I have said that to a few younger moms. It really does go so fast…I used to scoff when people told me that years ago. Now I want to cry when I think about all the things I rushed through just because I didn’t have the patience. I’m thinking I need to join Kristan in drowning my sorrows in fudge!!!
They do get big so fast! I’ve blinked and Lucy is almost 2 and Jon David is 10 next month. 🙁 This fudge! I need to drown my sorrows in it.
I’m right with you, old! It does go quick but each day with my daughter always seems better than the last. It is amazing how I can love her a little more each day even though that day I think it isn’t possible to love anyone more. I can just imagine I would feel the same about this fudge. This is a fantastic flavor combination.
Thanks for the reminder and delicious recipe! Never would have thought to put those summer ingredients into fudge!
The official candy contributor.. very fancy Aimee! And I would probably be one of the people who you would tell to “enjoy it now”!
Does it have to be Heavy cream? Can you use regular whipping cream?
You know I always think of cranberry and orange as a specifically christmas combo, but you are totes right! I could enjoy (and will enjoy) this fudge right now! 😀
You’re not old, lol. You just started having kids young. 🙂 Love the fudge, of course!
That is a ridiculously good answer, that I will be using more regularly 🙂 Thanks Dorothy!
Sometimes I get so annoyed when people say that kind of stuff to me but then sometimes it really gets inside my brain and helps me be patient with my kids when they’re all running is separate directions and TOUCHING EVERYTHING at the store.
The fudge looks awesome. Cranberry orange is my fave holiday flavor so I’ll definitely be making this in a few months!
So true. And yes, it does get you thinking about patience!! Children. Gotta love em 🙂 Thanks for pinning my fudge Amanda 🙂
I know you said not to wait for the holidays, but I can’t help but think of Thanksgiving. I’m DEFINITELY making this for our family dinner!
I think maybe you should make a trial run now though. Right?? 🙂
Yay! Fudge!! Why wait for the holidays?! I’m thinking of adding pistachios as well! Thanks for sharing this one!
Pistachios would be a delicious addition to this fudge!!
I am going to make this for holiday gift giving. The colors are beautiful and will stand out from all the chocolate fudges.
It will look great with all the chocolate candy for sure!! ENJOY!
Your fudge creations are the best! I’ve never seem cranberry orange fudge, but it sounds so fresh and decadent. Headed over to Food Fanatic for the recipe…
Thanks Heather, my mind is always swirling with delicious ideas!!
You are truly blessed to be able to experience motherhood. Some of us are not as fortunate… So yes, treasure every single moment with your young ones.
I love this fudge! Orange and cranberry pair perfectly. I’m looking forward to more great recipes from you.
Such a true reminder Jen!
So true about remembering the good stuff! But really, who wants to remember diapers? I’m gonna throw a party when my youngest is potty trained.
This fudge is so great! Love the flavors. I’ve never had cranberry orange fudge! Thanks for another amazing idea!
Thanks Mir. You’ll get through the potty training and it will just be a blip in a lifetime of memories 🙂