What better way to showcase Trader Joe’s 7 Salts than with shots of Tequila…fudge. Straight from the liquor cabinet comes ultra-dense, super rich blocks of chocolate littered with Tequila-soaked cranberries and lime zest. You can use silver, gold, or añejo (aged) Tequila. Paired it with fruity flavors (like I did) or warm spices like cayenne or cinnamon. Either way, pass them out at your next party for a sweet salud that won’t make your face cringe.
T <3
~*~ SALTED TEQUILA LIME FUDGE ~*~
SERVES: ABOUT 30 SQUARES ⎪ DIFFICULTY: EASY | FUNK: CASUAL
Mise en Place
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 shooter (1.5-ounce) Tequila
4 tablespoons butter
1 pound semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice
gourmet salt
Playlist—Breakbot
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1. SOAK THE CRANBERRIES
Combine cranberries and Tequila in a bowl and let soak until most of the alcohol is absorbed, at least 30 minutes. Preferably, 4 hours or overnight.
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2. PREP THE KITCHEN
Grease an 8-inch-square baking pan. Line with parchment or wax paper, letting edges of paper hang over the sides of pan.
*Quick Tip* Don’t have an 8-inch dish? Check the baking aisle at your grocery store for aluminum baking pans.
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3. MELT THE CHOCOLATE
Fill a pot with one inch or two of water and bring to a gentle simmer. Set a bowl over the water then add the butter, chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and salt. Mix until just melted and well combined. Remove the bowl and mix in the cranberries, lime zest, and lime juice.
*Quick Tip* Alternatively, use a microwave to melt ingredients at 10 to 20 seconds intervals.
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4. CHILL THE FUDGE
Scrape the mixture into prepared pan and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours or overnight. Lift the fudge out of the pan by pulling the sides of the paper. Cut into squares (any size you like!) using a knife. Sprinkle each square with salt.
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5. WRAP (optional)
Cut a small square piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper, and place a fudge square upside down in the center. Fold two sides of the wrap together over the fudge and gently twist the loose ends. Place in a box for a fun homemade food gift.
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6. STORE
Place the fudge in an airtight container and store at room temperature for 1 – 2 weeks, in the fridge for 1 month, or the freezer for several months.
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~*~ WHITE CHOCOLATE MINT ~*~
Soak cranberries in silver tequila. Roughly chop 1/3 cup (packed) mint. In a small pot or pan over medium heat, melt the butter together with the mint leaves. When the butter is completely melted and bubbly, remove from heat and steep for 15 minutes. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the butter. Continue to Step 3.
~*~ SPICED CHERRY ~*~
Soak 1/2 cup dried cherries in Añejo (aged) Tequila. In Step 3, Mix cherries, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne into melted chocolate mixture.
~*~ CANNABUTTER ~*~
If alcohol isn’t your thing, then take the highway. Substitute butter with cannabutter.
How would you use Trader Joe’s 7 Salts of the World? Let me know what you’ve cooked and leave a comment below.