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Vampire Fudge is the drama queen of Halloween parties—a two-tone sweet treat with a surprise swirl of bold colors every time you slice it. My kids lose their minds each October when I pull this one out of the fridge and even the adults sneak an extra square before the night is over.
I first made this as a last-minute answer to a school bake sale and now everyone expects it for classroom treats. You get dramatic color and creamy texture with way less effort than traditional fudge.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese frosting: brings a velvety tang and helps the fudge set properly try to find a brand that tastes good enough to eat from the jar
- Black candy melts: provide striking color and a lightly rich chocolate flavor always check for a smooth glossy finish on the melts at the store
- Red candy melts: add a vivid gory swirl and taste sweet and creamy buy fresh ones so the colors look bold
Instructions
- Prep the Pan:
- Lightly grease an eight inch by eight inch cake pan and line it with parchment paper so it overlaps on both sides making a cross shape this ensures super easy removal later
- Melt the Candy:
- Put the black candy melts in one microwave safe bowl and the red in another use separate spoons so colors do not mix microwave each on high for two minutes stirring them every thirty seconds to prevent burning stop as soon as they are fully melted and smooth
- Warm the Frosting:
- Microwave the entire tub of cream cheese frosting for forty five seconds straight until it is just pourable stir well once done
- Mix the Colors:
- Pour half the warmed frosting into each bowl of melted candy melts stir right away and keep stirring until the mixtures are silky and thoroughly combined
- Layer the Fudge:
- Alternately pour a scoop of black mixture and a scoop of red into the prepped pan keep layering each color to create a marbled effect until all the mixture is gone
- Even and Set:
- Tap the pan firmly on your countertop to level out the fudge and knock out air bubbles place the pan in your fridge for at least four hours or until the fudge feels firm
- Cut and Serve:
- Grab the ends of the parchment and lift the fudge from the pan set on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut into twenty five or thirty six pieces depending on how big you want each square
- Store:
- Keep the fudge in an airtight container in your fridge and serve whenever you need an epic sweet treat
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The black candy melts have become a special favorite around here—I love finding new ways to use them for creepy treats. Watching little hands swirl the colors and marvel at the spooky layers is my top Halloween kitchen memory.
Storage Tips
Vampire Fudge keeps its shape best when stored cold. Use an airtight container to prevent the fudge from picking up fridge odors. You can layer parchment paper between rows of squares to keep the marbled finish perfect. For longer storage freeze tightly wrapped squares and thaw in the fridge before serving.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you cannot find cream cheese frosting any thick vanilla or buttercream-style canned frosting works the key is a good creamy consistency. For the candy melts feel free to use any two contrasting colors that fit your party theme like purple and green for a witchy vibe.
Serving Suggestions
Cut smaller pieces and add to a Halloween dessert board with gummy worms bat cookies and popcorn balls. Stack on a tiered tray for instant centerpiece appeal. For kids wrap individual squares in red or black candy wrappers as a spooky take home treat.
Cultural Context
Fudge traces back to late nineteenth century America and was originally cooked on the stovetop with milk and sugar. This version uses shortcuts found in modern home kitchens but still channels that over the top richness. The dramatic Halloween colors tap into classic horror movie style and give everyone a reason to reach for seconds.
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Make this Vampire Fudge for your next party and wow everyone with the dramatic layers and easy prep. It is a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.