Fudge Drops

Ten minutes from start to fridge. Melt milk chocolate morsels in the microwave, stir in granola cereal and salted peanuts, and drop by the spoonful onto wax paper. That’s the whole recipe.

The granola cereal is doing more than adding crunch. Its clusters of oats and honey give each drop a chewy, textured center that keeps these from being straight-up chocolate bark. The salted peanuts play off the sweet milk chocolate in a way that makes you reach for another before the first one is even finished.

Microwaving at 50% power is the right call for milk chocolate, which scorches faster than dark. Two minutes at half power melts it gently and evenly. Stir it smooth before adding the mix-ins, and work fast because milk chocolate sets up quicker than you’d expect once it starts cooling.

Pro Tips

• Stir the chocolate after microwaving even if it still looks solid; milk chocolate holds its shape when melted and only flows once stirred
• Use salted peanuts, not unsalted; the salt contrast against the sweet chocolate is what makes these addictive
• Drop them quickly and uniformly; once the chocolate starts to thicken you can’t reshape them
• Chill for at least 30 minutes so they set firm enough to peel off the wax paper cleanly

Variations

• Dark chocolate version: Swap milk chocolate for semi-sweet morsels for a richer, less sweet drop
• Dried fruit: Add ¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins with the granola for fruity pops of flavor
• Holiday garnish: Press a candied cherry or chocolate candy piece on top of each drop before chilling for a festive Christmas cookie tray look