FABULOUS fudge

MAKE THIS HOLIDAY EVEN MERRIER WITH THESE MOUTH WATERING TREATS

BY JENNIFER BAJSEL

BOURBON CANDIED ORANGE FUDGE SERVINGS: 64 | PREP: 15 MIN. | COOLING: 2 HRS. | TOTAL: 2 HRS. 15 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 2 bags white chocolate chips | 1 can sweetened condensed milk | 1 Tbsp. orange extract | 1 oz. bourbon | 1⁄2 cup candied orange, chopped | 2 Tbsp. orange zest, for garnish Candied Orange Ingredients: 1 navel orange, peeled (see tips & tricks) | 1⁄2 cup sugar | 1⁄2 cup water

DIRECTIONS: LINE an 8 x 8 square pan with parchment and grease the pan including the parchment. SET aside. MICROWAVE chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl, in 30 second increments, until melted. STIR after each 30 seconds until smooth. ADD orange extract, bourbon, and candied orange into chocolate mixture. STIR to combine. IMMEDIATELY spread into pan. SPRINKLE with orange zest. COVER and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. CUT into 1” squares. COVER and store at room temperature.

Candied orange: PEEL an orange and cut in half. CUT half round slices. COMBINE sugar, water, and orange slices in a medium sauce pot. BRING to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. REMOVE orange slices, lay flat on a baking sheet, and loosely cover. LET sit overnight.

TIPS & TRICKS: Use the same orange for the zest and candied orange. Zest orange, set aside for garnish. Remove the remaining peel and slice oranges for candied orange recipe.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND TOFFEE FUDGE SERVINGS: 64 | PREP: 15 MIN. | COOLING: 2 HRS. | TOTAL: 2 HRS. 15 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 1 Tbsp. butter, softened | 3 cups milk chocolate chips | 1 can sweetened condensed milk | 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract | 1 cup sliced almonds, divided | 1⁄2 cup toffee, chopped

DIRECTIONS: LINE an 8 x 8 square pan with parchment and grease the pan including the parchment. SET aside. MICROWAVE chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl, in 30 second increments, until melted. STIR after each 30 seconds until smooth. ADD vanilla, 3⁄4 cup almonds and toffee into chocolate mixture. STIR to combine. IMMEDIATELY spread into pan. SPRINKLE with remaining almonds. COVER and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. CUT into 1” squares. COVER and store at room temperature.

TIPS & TRICKS: If you can’t find toffee, substitute with a chocolate toffee candy bar chopped or another favorite flavor.

MEXICAN DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY FUDGE SERVINGS: 64 | PREP: 15 MIN. | COOLING: 2 HRS. | TOTAL: 2 HRS. 15 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 1 Tbsp. butter, softened | 2 1⁄2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips | 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk | 10 oz. Amarena cherries | 2 Tbsp. cinnamon | 1 Tbsp. finishing salt, like Fleur de Sel

DIRECTIONS: LINE an 8 x 8 square pan with parchment and grease the pan including the parchment. Set aside. DRAIN cherries, reserving the liquid. MICROWAVE chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl, in 30 second increments, until melted. STIR after each 30 seconds until smooth. ADD cherries, 2 Tbsp. of reserved liquid and cinnamon into chocolate mixture. STIR to combine. IMMEDIATELY spread into pan. SPRINKLE with the finishing salt. COVER and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. CUT into 1” squares. COVER and store at room temperature.

TIPS & TRICKS: You can use any large grain salt you have on hand. If you cannot find the Amarena cherries substitute with maraschino cherries.

ABOUT OUR CHEF

Jennifer is a private chef in Dallas, TX, with a passion for home-cooked meals with a global influence. In addition to cooking, she hosts an Italian cooking show on national streaming television. To follow her, go to JenniferBajsel.com or find her on Instagram @JENNIFER_BAJSEL