Making and Keeping Vanilla Fudge | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

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Making and Keeping Vanilla Fudge | Ask Nigella.com? ›

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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.

The best fudge is smooth and firm. If it's crumbly, it's been over cooked. I remembered having some of my Grandma's that was crumbly one year.

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.

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.

The good news is fudge stays safe to eat even when kept at room temperature for a week or two. To make your next batch last longer, however, place any leftovers in the refrigerator to extend their storage life for up to 2 to 3 weeks.

Signs That Your Fudge Has Gone 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.

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.

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. If you continue to beat the fudge, it will go from “perfect” to “rock hard” in minutes.

What happens if you overboil fudge? ›

Too cooked

This fudge was cooked to a temperature of 118 °C (244 °F). At this temperature, the sugar is too concentrated and there is not enough water left to form syrup around sugar crystals. The result is hard and brittle fudge.

My advice to you is to just pour it in a jar, call it something else delicious, and pretend you meant for it to be that way. The nice thing about my “failed” fudge is that it tastes absolutely delicious! A spoonful of the delectable treat will make you want for more.

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).

Beware the recipe that tells you to chill the fudge to ensure it sets. Proper fudge will set after sitting at room temperature for about 4 hours. Understand that cooking the fudge properly is the skirmish before the war.

This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool. Heat in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring well between each to ensure everything is melting evenly.

Ensure you have kept the leftover fudge in a sealable container in a cool, dark, dry place, such as kitchen drawers, cupboards, or a pantry. Fudge stored exposed at room temperature will last for a month or two but will start to show signs of hardening around the edges and a loss of its freshness.

Homemade chocolate fudge can last for up to 2 weeks when stored properly. The sugar content and exposure to changes in temperature can affect the shelf life of homemade chocolate fudge.

Storage, Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 weeks or in the refrigerator for about a month. Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions: Prepare chocolate fudge as instructed and, once cooled, wrap bricks of fudge in plastic wrap, and then aluminum foil.

The best way to store fudge is cut into squares and placed in an airtight container. You can store fudge at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Be sure to place a piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil between each layer of fudge in the container.