Best Vanilla Fudge Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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Fudge may often be a chocolate affair, but a good vanilla variety can hold its own any day. This treat is great when studded with pecans or macadamia nuts, or extra-pretty when swirled with raspberry jam.

Best Vanilla Fudge Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

2-5 hrs

3 reviews
4 comments


ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 can (5 ounce size) evaporated milk
1/3 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
broken nuts (optional)

directions

Line an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan or 8x8 pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter foil; set aside. Butter the sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan.

In saucepan combine sugar, evaporated milk, milk, and salt. Cook and stir over medium-high heat to boiling. Carefully clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan. Cook and stir over medium-low-heat to 238 degrees F, soft-ball stage (this should take 25 to 35 minutes). Immediately remove saucepan from heat.

Add butter and vanilla, but do not stir. Cool mixture, without stirring, to 110 degrees F, lukewarm (about 55 minutes).

Remove candy thermometer from saucepan. Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon till fudge becomes very thick and just starts to lose its gloss (about 10 minutes total). Do not over-beat. Immediately spread fudge into the prepared pan.

Score into 1-inch squares while warm. Top each square with a piece of nut, if desired. When candy is firm, use the foil to lift the fudge out of the pan. Cut into squares. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.

added by

031984

nutrition data

138 calories, 4 grams fat, 26 grams carbohydrates, 1 grams protein per 1 ounce piece. This recipe is low in sodium.



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reviews & comments

  1. Guest Foodie December 11, 2019

    I don’t know what I did wrong because I’ve made toffee many times but my fudge is not even thicker than pudding and won’t thicken

    • CDKitchen Staff Reply:

      Either it wasn't cooked long enough or it wasn't cooled long enough. Either can affect the outcome.

  2. pattycakes REVIEW:
    November 6, 2013

    I got this to work but it took two tries. Here's what I did that worked: First, dissolve the sugar, milks, and salt over medium heat first. Don't boil until the sugar is blended in. I had to buy a new candy thermometer after the first time I tried it because I dropped it so I don't know if may be my thermometer was off the first time or what. I did not let it cool 55 minutes. It was maybe 35 minutes, then I started stirring. The first time it was 55 minutes and like others it was a rock. But I don't know if that was the method of letting the sugar dissolve before boiling or the cooling time. Overall the fudge (finally) turned out decent but it's definitely a finicky recipe. I'm giving it 4 stars purely on taste because if it was method I was rating it would probably be a 2.

  3. Carol December 4, 2011

    I followed this recipe to the letter. I did use a candy thermometer, for the first time. It was the first time I tried to make fudge and was so disappointed because it came out like a rock. When I tried to beat as they said to,after the 55 minutes of cooling to 110 degrees, I couldn't budge anything, it was a solid mass like concrete. My husband used a chisel to break everything apart and I am soaking my pot.I don't know what to say went wrong or how to fix it, since I have never made fudge before and never used a candy thermometer before. Maybe not leaving it sit for 55 minutes would help. Not sure.I do hope someone can figure out what went wrong with this recipe.

  4. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    August 26, 2011

    I'm learning to make fudge. Some tips that I've learned so far. 1. Test your thermometer to see if it is working properly. Also, if you live at high altitude, for every 1,000 ft subtract 2 degrees from the recipe cooking temperature to achieve soft ball stage. 2. Spray sides of pan and wooden spoon with oil. 3. Have the heat on warm to melt the sugar. Stir and stir. Rub the sugar syrup in between your fingers for smoothness. Don't bring it to a boil before all of sugar is melted.3. Periodically wash off wooden spoon before you put it back into the syrup. This will remove any dried sugar crystals from being reintroduced into the syrup.4. Once sugar is all melted, with a wet pastry brush, brush down the sides of the pan really well several times before the sugar comes to boil. Any sugar crystals remaining on side of pan can fall back into the syrup making it grainy. Maybe add 2 1/2 tablespoons of corn syrup to break down the sugar?5. Keep temp to just boiling. Can't rush fudge. I live at high altitude and it takes me 3 hours to make it. hope this helps....

  5. Brian November 3, 2010

    I have actually made this recipe several times and it works great. Setting like concrete probably means the mixture was heated to too high a temp. At the end of the 55 minutes it should still be soft ball stage.

  6. BUYINGNEWPANS August 15, 2010

    This recipe does not work followed the recipe to the letter everything was fine up until the leaving it to cool for 55 minutes before beating in the butter :O thought this was odd all I got from this recipe was a solid mass in the bottom of the pan with melted butter ontop had to throw out my pan, wooden spoon and anything else I used for this recipe as it was all set like concrete! severley wouldnt recommend this recipe! It was a costly mistake follwing this recipe!!! I think this was either wrongly typed or the poster hadn't actually tried the recipe out?? I think the mistake was in the order of the recipe and the ooling in the middle part all other recipes I have seen add all ingredients together and definately dont have a coool the heated suger and milk for an hour :D I honestly thought this would happen but trusted the poster! I think this recipe could be improved by being totally rethought and tested before posting!!

    • CDKitchen Staff Reply:

      Actually, there are lots of fudge recipes that specify you cool it to 110F before proceeding (which is what this specifies). Did you check it with a candy thermometer?

  7. littlemissxx REVIEW:
    July 20, 2007

    easy to follow recipe which made a mountain of gorgeous fudge. I split the mixture and added a few drops of strong coffee instead of vanilla. A tip i read earlier suggested cream of tartar prevents 'sugaring' will let you know as this will be a much used recipe!I found the best measurement conversion was (esp for those in UK)
    1 cup granulated sugar=200g
    1 cup confectioner/icing sugar=110g
    1 cup evap milk=half pint

');

Best Vanilla Fudge Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

How to Make 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. Here's how to make fudge on your stovetop and in your microwave.

What not to do when making fudge? ›

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Candy Shop-Worthy Fudge and Caramels
  1. Using the Wrong Pan. All candy and confections start by melting sugar. ...
  2. Stirring the Sugar. ...
  3. Not Using a Candy Thermometer. ...
  4. Leaving Out the Parchment Paper Lining. ...
  5. Skipping the Cooking Spray. ...
  6. Scraping the Pot. ...
  7. Using a Cold Knife to Slice.
Dec 16, 2015

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

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.

What gives fudge the creamy texture and dull appearance? ›

The addition of egg whites and gelatin will coat the sugar crystals and keep them small. This results in creamy fudge. Shhh! It's a Fudgy Secret!

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

What happens if you over stir fudge? ›

Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to a boil, do not stir it. If you do, the sugar can crystallize, giving your fudge a gritty texture. As you beat the fudge, pay attention to color and texture. Once the fudge loses its sheen and thickens, put down your spoon.

Can you mess up fudge? ›

Grainy Fudge

The sugars probably crystallized, a common mistake when making candy like fudge or caramel. If the melting sugar splashes onto the sides of the pan, it turns back into crystals and causes the fudge to seize up. To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon.

What happens if you boil fudge too long? ›

The ingredients for fudge are combined and cooked to 234 degrees, cooled to 110 degrees without stirring, then beaten until creamy. Candy that isn't cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard.

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

Why did my fudge turn out like taffy? ›

If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

Can I fix fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

What does cream of tartar do to fudge? ›

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!

How do you keep homemade fudge from being grainy? ›

To avoid this, ensure that you stir the fudge mixture consistently and remove any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan using a wet pastry brush.

Should you stir fudge while boiling? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.

What makes fudge moist? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

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!

How do I get my fudge to harden? ›

OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed. Cross your fingers and hope that the chocolate sets firmly before the fudge starts to thaw, and later impress your friends as you present them with your soft-centred chocolates.

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