Last Updated on December 17, 2022 by Kimberly Stroh

Making fudge is a Christmas tradition in our home. There are so many different varieties and it’s a great homemade holiday gift idea. Don’t be intimidated about making your own fudge, it’s easier than you think. You just have to be patient and stir your heart out. This Christmas White Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Fudge Recipe is so festive, with speckled cranberries and walnuts against a creamy white chocolate base. Plus – there’s a secret ingredient!

I’m going to give you the best tips for making fudge the easy way. I used to shy away from candy making, but as long as you own a candy thermometer and have patience – you’re all set. Fudge is always a welcomed gift during the holiday season and I give it away alongside my Homemade Rocky Road Candy and Foolproof Slow Cooker Drop Candy. Together, they’re the perfect gift from the kitchen.

Christmas White Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Fudge Recipe

The trick to making great fudge is finding the soft ball stage. It’s pretty easy to do when you have a candy thermometer, because you’re going to know the exact temperature of your sugar. However, you can find it without a thermometer too. It’s like science in your kitchen.

What Is The Soft Ball Stage Of Fudge?

Check out this great explanation from Science of Cooking: At this temperature, sugar syrup dropped into cold water will form a soft, flexible ball. If you remove the ball from water, it will flatten like a pancake after a few moments in your hand. Fudge, pralines, and fondant are made by cooking ingredients to the soft-ball stage.

I recommend if you’re a beginner to use the candy thermometer. Over time, you’ll recognize the consistency and won’t even need it.

Can You Freeze Leftover White Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Fudge?

Yes! You can easily freeze leftover fudge. Cut the individual 1-inch square serving pieces. Wrap each one in an air-tight seal, using aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Then add them into a large gallon-size freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy your fudge again, just let it come to room temperature overnight. I freeze mine for up to 3 months.

How To Gift Your Homemade Fudge

I make several homemade candies to give away at Christmas and this Cranberry Walnut Fudge is always a hit. I individually slice them, and place several around parchment paper in Christmas Gift Boxes. I like to keep all of the candies separated so they don’t crossover and taste like each other (this is especially true if you make anything with peppermint).

What You’ll Need From The Store:

• Butter
• Sugar
• Sour Cream
• White Chocolate Chips
• Marshmallow Cream
• Vanilla Extract
• Chopped Walnuts
• Dried Cranberries

How To Make This Cranberry Walnut Fudge Recipe

Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and butter with foil with 1 teaspoon butter, then set aside. In a large sauce pan, bring the sugar, sour cream and remaining butter to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir until candy thermometer reads 234 degrees (soft-ball stage). About 15 minutes total.

Remove from the heat. Stir in the chips, marshmallow cream and vanilla until smooth.

Fold in walnuts and cranberries. 

Pour into prepared pan. Let stand at room temperature until cool.

Use the foil to lift the fudge from the pan. Discard the foil. Cut fudge into 1-inch squares. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.