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Let’s talk fudge recipes. Fudge is one of those things that is on my must have Christmas baking list. It simply isn’t Christmas without some Chocolate Walnut Fudge in my opinion. I’ve always used Eagle Brand’s Foolproof Fudge Recipe, it’s about as easy as it gets, comes together in not time and no candy thermometer required (that’s a biggie for me!). I’ve been making the same fudge recipe for years, and I’ve decided it’s time to get creative and try some new fudge recipes. Today I have three delicious but very simple fudge recipes for you, Candy Cane Fudge Recipe, Cookies And Cream Fudge Recipe and Vanilla Bean Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe.
All of these recipes are based off of the Cookies And Cream Fudge Recipe from Eagle Brand. They are all quick, simple and easy, and no candy thermometer is required – that’s my kind of fudge!
Cookies And Cream Fudge Recipe
Candy Cane Fudge Recipe
To see how I crush my candy canes, visit this post.
Vanilla Bean And Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe
All three recipes are completely delicious, but completely different – and I love that! The Vanilla Bean and Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe is probably my favorite. But, that said, it’s messy. Very messy. I used ice cream topping caramel sauce, and I think it really needs a homemade caramel sauce. I was pretty certain about that while making it, but I wanted to try this really easy version just to see if it would work out. Flavor wise it’s amazing, but it’s just kind of gooey and messy. To me that is perfectly fine, it’s just a challenge for packaging up, displaying or gift giving. So if nothing else, make a batch and just eat it yourself. I won’t tell anyone. 🙂 You could also omit the caramel and just make a vanilla bean fudge. It would be awesome with walnuts in it (I love walnuts in fudge!).
All of these recipes are made with Eagle Brand. I have an awesome Eagle Brand giveaway going on right now that includes a KitchenAid Stand Mixer! It ends in a few hours, so don’t walk, run (or just click) over to this post and enter to win before it closes on the evening of December 5th, 2013.
1/2cupapproximately, you can use more or less of caramel sauce (ice cream topping)
2-4vanilla beans
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract.
Instructions
Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, extending paper over edges of pan.
Scrape seeds out of vanilla beans and sit aside.
Melt white chocolate squares with sweetened condensed milk in heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla seeds and vanilla extract
Spread a about 1/3 of fudge evenly in prepared pan.
Spread caramel sauce over fudge in pan.
Sprinkle half of salt over caramel sauce.
Spread remaining fudge over caramel sauce.
Sprinkle remaining salt over the top of fudge.
Chill for 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan by lifting edges of wax paper. Cut into squares. It will be messy!
Notes
Recipe from Eagle Brand
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimer: I have been compensated by Eagle Brand to share some of my favorite holiday recipes using Eagle Brand. All opinions are, as always, mine and mine alone!
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).
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.
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.
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.
Fudge is best stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks wrapped up in its original wax paper. NEVER REFRIGERATE your fudge as this will draw out the moisture and leave you with dry, crumbly fudge.
Put parchment paper to good use with this idea for packaging edible gifts: Carefully wrap your favorite Christmas fudge inside a DIY parchment paper wrapping paper. Complete the rustic look by tying a twine ribbon adorned with a cheery candy cane.
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.
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.
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.
Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.
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.
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!
How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream.
Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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To see how I crush my candy canes, visit this post.
Okay, now who wants fudge? Here you go!
Mom On Timeout – 60 Fabulous Fudge Recipes
Disclaimer: I have been compensated by Eagle Brand to share some of my favorite holiday