Valentine’s Fudge Recipe
This Valentine’s Fudge Recipe is a stunning mixture of sweet and creamy buttercream, red and pink candy melts, and adorable Valentine’s themed sprinkles! Impress your loved ones this Valentine’s with this easy, delicious, and beautiful strawberry fudge recipe!
If you’re looking for an eye-catching treat this Valentine’s day that won’t break the bank or take too much time, this Valentine’s fudge recipe is just for you! The buttercream adds sweetness and a smooth creamy texture while the melted chocolate adds a beautiful swirled effect, chocolate-y strawberry flavor, and helps to set the fudge so that it won’t fall apart when served.
Adding a small amount of strawberry extract to this pink fudge helps to accentuate the strawberry flavor in this fudge, although this can be changed for a different extract too. The pretty red and pink sprinkles add a lovely finishing touch to this Valentine’s fudge.
With something this scrumptious and pretty, you’ll definitely want to make a double batch and show off your new creation to friends and family as edible gifts this Valentine’s Day! If you love fudge, be sure to also try Christmas Peanut Butter Fudge, Nutella Fudge Cream Cheese Icing, or Fudge Cake Recipe.
🌟 WHY I LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S FUDGE RECIPE
This Valentine’s fudge recipe is a sweet and creamy strawberry fudge that’s made with minimal ingredients, making it a budget-friendly treat for Valentine’s Day.
This beautiful pink fudge with red and pink marbled patterns and adorable sprinkles will make an ideal gift for your friends, family, partner, neighbors, and teachers. Add slices to a clear bag or paper box with decorative ribbon and gift tags.
Fudge lasts for quite a while when stored properly, making it a treat that you can make ahead of Valentine’s day without the worry of it spoiling.
🍽 KEY INGREDIENTS
Buttercream frosting – I’ve used store-bought buttercream for this strawberry fudge, but you can use homemade buttercream frosting instead.
Candy melts – You’ll need red and strawberry-flavored candy melts for this fudge recipe.
Strawberry extract – Vanilla extract can be used instead.
Sprinkles – I’ve used adorable red and pink heart sprinkles as well as Valentine’s mix mon-pareils sprinkles.
- Red Candy Melts
- Strawberry Flavored Pink Candy Melts
- Valentine’s Mix Non-Pareils Sprinkles
- Pink and Red Heart Sprinkles
Swaps
Extract – Another extract, such as vanilla or rose extract can be used in this pink fudge.
Candy melts – White chocolate chips combined with oil-based food dye can be used instead of the candy melts.
Sprinkles – Omit the sprinkles if you just want a plain pink and red fudge, use plain pink sprinkles, or pink sanding sugar.
🥣 EQUIPMENT
You’ll need an 8×8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, and microwave-safe bowls for this pink fudge.
🔪 HOW TO MAKE VALENTINE’S FUDGE
With just 4 main ingredients and decorative sprinkles, you can whip up a batch of this stunningly pretty pink fudge for Valentine’s Day. Here’s everything you need to know to make this creamy and sweet strawberry fudge, including step-by-step instructions and helpful cooking tips.
Preparations
Line the baking tray with parchment paper, ensuring that there is some overhang. Gather all of the ingredients required for this Valentine’s fudge recipe.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Add the container of buttercream to a mixing bowl and heat in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute until smooth. Set 1/2 teaspoon of unheated buttercream aside if using the heart sprinkles as a topping for the fudge.
Mix strawberry extract into the heated buttercream mixture.
Add the red candy melts to a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 15-30 seconds until smooth in consistency. Repeat this process for the pink candy melts, and keep the two colors separate.
Step 2
Add half of the heated buttercream into the melted red candy melts. Stir until fully incorporated.
Step 3
Add the other half of the buttercream mixture into the melted pink candy melts. Stir until fully incorporated.
Step 4
Start alternating the pouring of the red and pink melted candy and buttercream mixture into the baking pan, tapping the pan in between to remove any bubbles.
Step 5
Once the red and pink mixtures have been added to the pan, sprinkle the top of the fudge with as many Valentine’s themed non-pareils as you like.
Place the fudge in the fridge for 2 hours or until firm.
For added effect, add a bit of set aside unheated buttercream to the back of a heart-shaped sprinkle and stick it to the surface of each piece of fudge before serving!
💭 COOKING TIPS
- Be careful not to use too much melted chocolate in this pink fudge recipe as it can cause the fudge to fall apart when you slice it. At the same time, not enough melted chocolate added means that the fudge won’t set, so it’s important to measure accurately for this recipe!
- It’s normal for the melted chocolate to seize slightly when the buttercream is added. Continue to stir the mixture as it just needs to be pourable.
- Never add the strawberry extract straight to the melted chocolate as it will cause the mixture to seize.
📖 RECIPE VARIATIONS
The great thing about most fudge recipes is how easy they are to vary with some simple ingredient alternatives and swaps. Here are a few suggestions for adapting this Valentine’s fudge recipe:
CHOCOLATE
White chocolate chips can be used instead of strawberry flavored or colored candy melts. Simply add an oil-based food dye to the mixture for coloring and more strawberry extract to the heated buttercream.
FLAVOR
If you don’t like strawberry extract, use vanilla extract or rose extract instead.
DECORATION
Sprinkle pink and red sanding sugar over the top of the fudge instead of sprinkles. Sprinkles can be left off completely if you want a plain pink and red marble presentation for your strawberry fudge.
🥗 WHAT TO SERVE WITH VALENTINE’S FUDGE
This sweet and creamy strawberry fudge can be enjoyed as a standalone treat or added to other dessert foods for greater indulgence – perfect for those special occasions!
Valentine’s Dessert Board
Indulge and treat yourself and your loved one to a platter of Valentine’s-inspired treats, including this pink fudge recipe as the newest addition! Consider including a spread of fresh strawberries, Valentine’s Whoopie Pies, and these adorable Red Velvet Cake Mix Balls!
Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt
Enjoy this Valentine’s fudge with a scoop of ice cream or frozen yogurt, either as whole slices or crumbled over the ice cream and frozen yogurt as a deliciously sweet strawberry topping!
Hot Beverages
A slice of this strawberry Valentine’s fudge will go down well with a mug of hot chocolate or coffee.
🙋 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The melted chocolate in this Valentine’s fudge recipe helps to set the fudge so that it doesn’t fall apart. If your fudge is not setting, it’s likely that not enough melted chocolate was added to the heated buttercream. Make sure to measure the ingredients accurately!
I’ve used a container of store-bought buttercream for this pink fudge, but you can definitely use homemade buttercream instead. Since it’s a deviation from this recipe, I recommend making a test batch first.
I’ve used an 8×8-inch baking pan which is great for smaller batches of fudge. I also enjoy the thickness of the fudge with this size of pan. You can use a larger pan but then the slices will be thinner. Glass, ceramic, non-stick metal, and aluminum pans all work well for assembling and setting fudge.
🧊 STORING AND ♨️ REHEATING
FRIDGE
Store this strawberry fudge in an airtight container lined with parchment paper in the fridge for up to 1 month. While some fudge recipes allow for storage at room temperature, I like to err on the side of caution when using ingredients such as buttercream in the fudge mixture.
FREEZER
This pink fudge can be stored for up to 6 months in the freezer. Wrap individual slices of the fudge to preserve the flavor and texture the best and then transfer it to an airtight container or sealable bag. The frozen slices can be thawed in the fridge before serving again.
🍳 MORE VALENTINE’S TREATS
👪 SERVING SIZE
The serving size from one batch of this Valentine’s fudge recipe will depend on how big or small you slice the fudge. You can easily double this recipe when catering to a larger crowd or when using this recipe to gift friends and family for Valentine’s Day.
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📋 RECIPE
Valentine's Fudge Recipe
This Valentine's Fudge Recipe is a stunning mixture of sweet and creamy buttercream, red and pink candy melts, and adorable Valentine's themed sprinkles!
Ingredients
- 1 Container Buttercream Frosting (16 ounces)
- ¾ Cup Red Candy Melts
- ¾ Cup Strawberry Flavored Pink Candy Melts
- 1 Teaspoon Strawberry Extract
- Valentine’s Mix Non-Pareils Sprinkles
- Pink and Red Heart Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Place the red candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high, in the microwave, for 2-3 minutes or until smooth when stirred. Stop every 15-30 seconds to stir during the melting process to ensure the candy melts don’t overcook.
- Follow step one for the pink candy melts, keeping the two colors separated.
- Remove the lid and film from the frosting and place it in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until fully melted and smooth. Set aside ½ a teaspoon of uncooked frosting if using the heart sprinkles. Add the extract to the frosting and stir well.
- Place half of the frosting in with the red candy melts and the other half with the pink candy melts.
- Stir each color vigorously until fully mixed.
- Line your pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang.
- Alternate pouring in the two colors in random spots, pausing to tap the pan in between so it evens out and removes bubbles.
- Once all your chocolate mixtures have been poured in and evened out, sprinkle the top of the fudge with as many Valentine’s themed non-pareils as you like.
- Place in the fridge to chill for 2 hours or until hardened.
- If desired, use the set aside frosting and place a dab on the back of a heart sprinkle, and press it into the middle of each fudge square you cut for a cute addition! Enjoy!
Notes
●If your fudge turns out hard or seems to fall apart when you’re cutting it, this means too much chocolate was used. You’ll need to reduce the chocolate the next time around. It will still taste good, it just won’t be very soft or pretty.
●If your fudge won’t set up well, it means not enough chocolate was used. You either need to increase the chocolate used or decrease the amount of frosting the next time around.
●The chocolate will slightly seize when the frosting is added to it. This is normal, no need to worry. You just need the mixture to be pourable. Just keep stirring and you’ll be good to go.
●Do not add the extract directly to the chocolate or it will ruin it. The extract seizes the chocolate to a point that it’s not usable.
●If you can’t find strawberry candy melts, no problem. The extract still adds plenty of flavor. You can just use normal pink candy melts instead.
●If you don’t have access to candy melts, you can use white chocolate chips and color the chocolate with oil based food dye. Do not use water based dye or it ruins the chocolate like the extract does