When fudge is good, it is really good. And when fudge is bad… well it is still good, but you know what I mean. It isn’t hard to turn a delicious fudge recipe into a gritty candy. Want amazing fudge every single time? Try these easy fudge making tips.
A few years ago I was making fudge and it didn’t turn out quite right. It was good, but not great. I realized after a lot of research that there are a few simple hacks to making great fudge!
Easy Fudge Making Tips
Find easy recipes if you are a beginner. Try a recipe that calls for marshmallow creme, marshmallows, or corn syrup if you are a beginner.
- Try a recipe that calls for marshmallow creme, marshmallows, or corn syrup.
- These ingredients keep the sugar from crystalizing and producing a grainy fudge.
Don’t scrape the sides and bottom of the pan while cooking.
- This will also make the fudge grainy.
Look for recipes that call for butter instead of margarine.
- Margarine can cause a fudge not to set.
Follow the recipe exactly.
- Kelly mentioned on Facebook that different brands of chocolate chips have different cocoa ratios. If the recipe calls for a specific brand, use it.
Have all your ingredients measured and ready before you begin.
- Fudge making is a very precise science. Letting something boil an extra minute or two while you look for the right measuring spoon can mean disaster.
Line your pan with buttered foil.
- This will make getting the fudge out of the pan much easier.
Fudge is easiest to cut out of the pan.
- After the fudge has cooled, flip out the fudge and the foil lining and then cut.
Use a candy thermometer.
- Rebecca mentioned on Facebook that a candy thermometer was her trick to making delicious fudge. They only cost about ten dollars. I have had one for several years (it was a gift) and I can use it for making candy and frying, which comes in handy when I make my homemade donuts.
No Fail Fudge Recipes
I asked my Facebook friends to help me with my fudge dilemma and they shared some great advice and recipes. Here are some of their never fail fudge recipes:
- Microwave Never Fail Fudge (my mother’s recipe)
- Snickers Fudge
- Quick and Healthy Fudge
- Mexican Cocoa Fudge
- Easy Peanut Butter Fudge from My Blessed Life
- Super Simple Fudge (no marshmallow creme)
- Christmas Traditions Fudge
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
- Fantasy Fudge (original recipe published on the back of the marshmallow creme jar)
abba12 says
I love this post for all the wrong reasons. My family PREFERS grainy fudge, I hate the soft fudge you buy commercially, but I ADORE hard fudge. Thankfully so do my in-laws, which is great cause my sister in law cooks some good fudge. I wonder if we are getting fudge this year in the christmas goodie bags… hmm, now I have to go find out.
TheHappyHousewife says
Well, now you know what to do to get that grainy fudge your family loves!
Kathy @ House of Hills says
Thanks for linking to my fudge recipe. It really is a tasty one.
I’m excited to try some of these others too.
Great tips!
Momofthree says
One more tip – when I make fudge I line the pan with parchment paper which comes off easily but when I cut it I use a pizza cutter (with the round rolling blade). This is way easier than using a knife!
L2L says
I posted a layered fudge recipe that I have been making the last 3 years that everyone loves and it turns out perfect every time and it is super easy!!! I attempted to link it to my name in this comment in case anyone is looking for yet another fabulous recipe!!!!
chantelle says
Thank you for this post! I have one word for my previous fudge attempts…..GRAINY! I can’t wait to try it again with these new tips. 🙂
Barb H says
I tried the Easy Peanut Butter Fudge recipe today. It turned out perfect. My mother in law is a wonderful baker . Her kitchen this time of year looks like a cookie/candy factory. I would not hesitate to put this recipe up against hers. I know she will be impressed. Thanks for the recipe. This is definitely a keeper.
TheHappyHousewife says
I’m so glad it was successful! I will be making some next week to give as gifts.
Toni
Sarah says
You could also add not to make it on a rainy day. The high humidity in the air will cause it to be grainy as well.
TheHappyHousewife says
Great tip Sarah!
Denise@TogetherWeSave says
Oh – thanks, mine is usually grainy.
Amy Donaldson says
THANKS so much for linking to my 5 minute fudge recipe! 🙂 I think if people try it they will really like and love how super easy and quick it is to whip up a batch of fudge for any occassion.
Jill says
Mmm… my stomach is now growling (nice pic). I have yet to actually make fudge, but I think this is the year and I have heard that marshmallow thing more than once in the last few weeks. Wish me luck. 🙂
cyndi says
Thanks for all of the great fudge recipes…can’t wait to try them. I also can’t wait to try out the method of using a pizza cutter to cut the fudge…I have been struggling w/cutting it with a knife for years.
Elizabeth says
Thanks for the tips! I finally got around to trying the Fantasy Fudge today. Not my fave though. I really liked Laura’s fudge recipe @ Heavenly Homemakers. It is the easiest recipe I’ve tried and can be healthy if you choose the right ingredients. I’ll post it here as I thought you might like to try it. 🙂
1/2 c. choc. chips
1 c. peanut butter
3/4 c. honey
Melt all together in a pot. (Only takes a minute or two.)
Pour into 9 in. square pan and put in the fridge overnight.
Yum, yum, yum.
I’m not a die-hard peanut butter fan, but I think the honey and choc. really help cut down the p.b. taste. Hope your family enjoys this one!
Miss you guys!
Vicky says
I am having fudge issues! I have tried to make both Penuche Fudge and the Carnation Famous Fudge and neither has set when I refrigerate them. I don’t know what I am doing wrong!
margie says
Hi,
I have a traditional fudge recipe that I cook on the stove and find the stirring a bit difficult. Could I do it in the microwave? How do I change the time etc. Will the taste be the same. It’s the normal condensed milk, sugar, butter and milk recipe.
Thank you
Margie
peggy says
Some of my Fanny Farmer Fudge did not turn out. It was after I cooked the sugar and evaporated milk and tried to beat in the butter. The butter would not mix in. I am convince it was the butter that ruined the fudge. Hope this helps someone else with their fudge! Peggy