May 10, 2021
Hint: one of the best ways to avoid common mistakes in homemade fudge is to leave fudge making up to the experts at Wockenfuss Candies!
Homemade fudge is a creamy, delicious treat. Chocolate fudge is a standard favorite, and there are countless variations and flavor combinations that bring some excitement to the world of homemade fudge. Although some recipes seem relatively straightforward, many home cooks have trouble creating the perfect fudge from scratch. In this blog, we discuss some of the most common challenges people face when making homemade fudge. Of course, one of the best ways to avoid these missteps is to leave fudge making up to the experts at Wockenfuss Candies!
Homemade Fudge Doesn’t Always Set
Traditional fudge is made by heating sugar, butter, milk, and other ingredients until the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage. Home cooks usually use a metal saucepan to do the job, with the final hot mixture spread into a casserole dish or sheet pan to cool. However, homemade fudge doesn’t always set up into a semi-firm, melt-in-your-mouth confection. If your fudge doesn’t firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn’t reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.
Cooking in High Humidity Can Cause Problems
Just as altitude can create complications when baking, high humidity in the kitchen can lead to significant setbacks when making fudge. Humidity can cause fudge to boil over in the pan or stay soft when set, so try to avoid working on humid days if at all possible. If waiting for a less humid day isn’t feasible, you’ll need to boil your fudge at a slightly higher temperature than usual — or just order some delicious fudge from Wockenfuss!
Why Homemade Fudge Becomes Grainy
Even if your homemade fudge sets up to a nice firm consistency when cooled, you can still run into texture problems. Fudge becomes grainy and sugary when prepared incorrectly. Unfortunately, this is a common issue. To avoid grainy fudge, make sure that the sugar in your mixture dissolves entirely. This can require adjustments to your recipe or stirring technique.
How to Avoid Burning Your Fudge
As with any other confectionery endeavor, burning your fudge is a distinct possibility. Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan (some folks swear by copper pots) and stir the mixture constantly. Never leave your fudge unattended, and make sure to scrape the side of the pan as you stir. It’s hard (if not impossible) to save a burnt batch of fudge. Still, stopping by your nearest Wockenfuss Candies store is a surefire way to save the day!
A Wide Selection of Delicious Treats from Wockenfuss Candies
Head to WockenfussCandies.com and browse our wide selection of chocolates and candies; we promise you won’t be disappointed! Wockenfuss Candies is one of the oldest candy makers in Baltimore. We opened our doors in 1915 and have proudly served the people of Baltimore ever since. If you have any questions about our wide selection of chocolates, please contact Wockenfuss Candies by calling 1-800-296-4414 or email info@Wockenfusscandies.com. When you’re not savoring our sweets, stay satisfied by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
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FAQs
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.
What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›
The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.
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.
Why did my fudge come out like taffy? ›
Fudge usually behaves this way when it's not cooked to a high enough temperature (due to oversight or a faulty candy thermometer).
What happens if you over mix fudge? ›
Beating the cooled batter is one of the crucial steps of fudge-making, but overbeating can turn fudge hard as a rock. Pay close attention to the change in appearance and only beat the fudge until it loses its glossy sheen.
What to do with failed 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.
Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›
Don't stir!
Once the fudge reaches soft-ball stage on the candy thermometer, remove from the heat and let the temperature drop to 110°F. Keep that spoon or spatula out of the pot until this happens. If you stir too early in the process, you'll make the sugar crystals too big and end up with grainy fudge.
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!
Why can't you make fudge when it's raining? ›
As strange as it sounds, it is a fact that weather affects fudge making. This is because when the weather is damper with an increased humidity level your Homemade Fudge Recipe will take longer to boil.
What happens if you beat fudge too soon? ›
This fudge was beaten immediately after cooking, while it was still very hot. Its crystals are so big that it has practically reverted back to a sugar state! What happened? Beating the syrup caused the formation of crystallization nuclei, anchor points to which sugar molecules attach to form crystals.
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.
What went wrong with my fudge? ›
If your fudge doesn't firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn't reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.
How do you beat fudge? ›
When the fudge cools to 110 degrees F/43 degrees C, beat the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon until it's no longer glossy. Then you can stir in the nuts, or any other extra flavorings, and transfer it to the cooling pan. Adding Butter to Fudge | Photo by Meredith.
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).
Why would fudge not set up? ›
The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.
How can you tell if fudge is bad? ›
If fudge experiences a change in temperature, it can melt or develop a slimy texture on the surface. If it is exposed to air, it can dry out and become hard. Specific add-ins to fudge have the potential to grow mold or give off a bad odor, and at that point, the fudge should be avoided.
