Chocolate-Covered Cherry Fudge can be made gluten-free and dairy-free.HERE’S sweet news: This delicious dessert can be easy to make and elegant to serve.Chocolate-Covered Cherry Fudge20 maraschino cherries with stems12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips*6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (or bittersweet chocolate chips)*2 large eggs1 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 tablespoons flour*½ teaspoon baking powder¼ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice1 cup walnuts, choppedPat the cherries dry with paper towels and set aside. Generously spray an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray* or brush with oil.In a small saucepan, combine the chocolates and cook over low heat until most of the chocolate is melted. Stir until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, and maraschino cherry juice. Add the melted chocolate and stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken. Stir in the walnuts.Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and press the cherries into the top, leaving the tops of the cherries and the stems showing. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until hard. Cut into 20 squares.Makes 20 pieces of fudge*Go gluten-free! Replace non-stick cooking spray with gluten-free nonstick. Substitute gluten-free chocolate chips and gluten-free dark chocolate where indicated. Replace flour with gluten-free flour.You can make it dairy-free with dairy-free chocolate.You can find lots of great recipes—with a cherry on top—fom the National Cherry Growers and Industries Foundation at www.nationalcherries.com. For gluten-free advice and recipes, go to www.simplygluten-free.com.North American Precis Syndicate
