Cookie Cutter Fudge

I love fudge. Especially at Christmas. This is a great way to make the gift of fudge even more fun and special. You can make these with your favorite recipe, or with the recipe I have included in this post, which is for Fantasy Fudge. My mom used to make Fantasy Fudge when I was little and I believe that it is hard to improve on its creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor.

Supplies needed:

15-20 cookie cutters
large cookie sheet
aluminum foil
cooking spray
1 recipe of Fantasy Fudge
small cellophane gift bags
ribbon

Fantasy Fudge

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
1 pkg. (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate pieces (I recommend Ghirardelli)
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp. vanilla
M & M minis

Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2 to 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat or until candy thermometer reaches 234° F., stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.

Stir in chocolate pieces until melted. Add marshmallow creme, nuts and vanilla. Beat until well blended. Pour into a greased 13-by-9-inch pan.

Cool at room temperature. Cut into squares.

Makes 3 pounds.


Cover cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Then spray the inside of each cookie cutter with cooking spray and place them on the foil:

Make the fudge. Mmmmm....

While the fudge is still very warm, carefully spoon it into each cookie cutter. Decorate them while they are still warm, also. The first time I made them, I decorated them with candy sprinkles, but M & M Minis are more colorful and they blend better with the taste of the fudge. You can use your fingers to press the fudge into the corners if you need to.

Place in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Then place in individual bags and tie with ribbon. See how much better the M & M's look?

For one gift, I used a small white bucket. I placed a paper towel in the bottom to add height:

Then I covered that with paper shred:

I placed the fudge inside and sprinkled a few Hershey kisses around it, and added a cute tag.

For other gifts I used slightly larger baskets and added Christmas crackers that I'd made. (That post should follow tomorrow).