Fudge Recipes For The Holidays (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

The trick to good homemade fudge is to cook the ingredients to the right temperature to form a sugar syrup, and cool the mixture properly so the texture of the fudge turns out smooth and firm, but soft enough to cut.

Add a simple wooden or paper stick, some transparent gauze wrapping, a bow and a creative label to any piece of fudge, and you've now got something that looks more like an expensive candy apple than a humble square of fudge.

Although fudge often contains chocolate, fudge is not the same as chocolate. Chocolate is a mix of cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sometimes sugar and other flavorings and is hard and brittle. Fudge is a mixture of sugar, dairy and flavorings that is cooked and cooled to form a smooth, semi-soft confection.

Typically, homemade fudge can last 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature, 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, and up to 3 months in the freezer when stored correctly.

Evaporated milk is milk that has been cooked to reduce its water content. It is more stable than regular milk and it can be cooked at high temperatures without curdling, a real benefit to fudge. Unfortunately, there is no substitute for it in a fudge recipe.

What are the main ingredients in fudge? To make fudge, you need semisweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and vanilla extract as the main ingredients. You can add chopped nuts or anything else you like to it but these are what you must have to make fudge.

Fudge is a type of confectionery made with sugar, butter, and milk that often includes cocoa powder or melted chocolate. It has a creamy texture and can be flavored with various ingredients such as nuts, fruits, or spices. Fudge may also contain marshmallow creme or condensed milk to give it an even richer flavor.

Chocolate is much older than fudge

Compared to a piece of dark chocolate, fudge has more sugars but less saturated fats. Chocolate actually has some health benefits; according to Healthline, it is a good source of fiber and contains a lot of important minerals like iron and manganese.

If you're hoping to keep your fudge tucked away for quite some time, storing it in the freezer is a great option. Fudge properly stored in the freezer will last for 2 to 3 months. Some fudge can last up to a year in the freezer.

How to tell if fudge is bad? ›

Signs of spoilage include a dry, crumbly texture, discoloration, and an off smell or taste. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the fudge to avoid any potential health risks.

How long will condensed milk fudge last? Condensed milk fudge will last about 2 weeks at room temperature in an air tight container and about a month if refrigerated. You may individually wrap each fudge piece, place it in an air tight container and freeze it for 3-4 months.

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

As water gradually evaporates, sugar is concentrated and the temperature of the mixture rises above 100°C (212°F). If there is too much evaporation, when the cooking time is too long, there will not be enough water left in the fudge and it will be too hard.

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!