Pistachio Cranberry Fudge Food

PISTACHIO CRANBERRY FUDGE

Steps:

• Line square pan, 9x9x2 inches, with aluminum foil, leaving 1 inch of foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan. Grease foil with butter.
• Place chocolate chips, marshmallows and milk in 8-cup microwavable measuring cup. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, stirring every minute, until marshmallows and chips are melted and can be stirred smooth.
• Stir in vanilla, nuts and cherries. Immediately pour into pan. Drizzle with melted white baking chips. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.
• Remove fudge from pan, using foil edges to lift. Cut into 9 rows by 8 rows, or cut into diamond shapes.

FIVE MINUTE WHITE CHOCOLATE FUDGE WITH PISTACHIO AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Pour the chips, condensed milk and vanilla into a medium saucepan. Put the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low. (Stir occasionally while you prepare pan).
• Butter an 8-inch round cake pan with softened butter. (I found it easier to remove from the pan if you lined bottom with parchment paper and buttered the sides).
• Cover the empty condensed milk can with plastic wrap and put it in the center of the round cake pan.
• Stir the chips and milk until they melt together, about 3 minutes. Stir in pistachios and dried cranberries. Scoop the fudge into the cake pan all around the plastic-covered can in the center to form a wreath or ring shape. Let it be all bumpy on top. If the fudge moves the can off center, move it back in place.
• Cut the red cherries in half with scissors and the green cherries into quarters. Use the green pieces to make leaves and the red to make holly berries. Decorate the fudge with several groups of holly berry sprigs made from the cherries and garnish with pistachios between the sprigs.
• Put the fudge in the refrigerator and chill until firm (about a half hour). Remove the can from the center, then loosen the sides and bottom of the fudge with a spatula (you won't need to do this if you took my advice about the parchment paper!). Cut the fudge into thin slices to serve.

PISTACHIO FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch square pan with foil, allowing foil to extend over sides of pan.
• Spray with no stick cooking spray.
• Melt chocolate in microwave, as directed on package of chocolate.
• Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth.
• Gradually beat in sugar on low speed until well blended.
• Add melted chocolate, extracts and food color; mix well.
• Stir in chopped pistachios.
• Spread evenly in prepared pan.
• Garnish with additional pistachios, if desired.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.
• Use foil to lift out of pan onto cutting board.
• Cut into 25 (1 1/2-inch) squares.
• Store in refrigerator.
• Substitute: One bag (12 ounces) white chocolate chips can be substituted for the white chocolate squares.