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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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.

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.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions: Prepare chocolate fudge as instructed and, once cooled, wrap bricks of fudge in plastic wrap, and then aluminum foil. Store in the fridge for a few weeks, or in the freezer for 3-6 months.

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.

Fresh homemade fudge typically lasts for about 1 to 2 weeks when kept at room temperature. It's essential to store it in an airtight container to prevent exposure to air and moisture, which can hasten spoilage.

While refrigerating chocolate fudge can extend its shelf life and prevent melting, it may also affect its flavor and result in a firmer texture. On the other hand, storing fudge at room temperature provides a more traditional and softer consistency, but it can shorten its shelf life.

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.

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.

How to tell if fudge is bad? ›

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.

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.

Fudge can also be frozen in airtight containers for up to 3 months. If freezing the fudge you may prefer to put pieces of baking parchment (parchment paper) in between layers of the fudge to prevent the pieces freezing together.

Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.

Opt for a pot that can contain approximately four times the total volume of your fudge ingredients. Secondly, the pot's material should allow for good heat distribution hence your top choice should be copper cookware or a pot with a copper core.

Why has my Fudge not set? 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.

Refrigerators are not good for fudge. Refrigerated fudge will recrystalize into sugar fairly rapidly, losing most of the creaminess. Fudge can be stored for about two weeks at room temperature, preferably in an airtight container.

We like to set this fudge in the freezer to make it quicker! Once you add the fudge to your pan it will need just 30 minutes in the freezer to set.

Yes, we do encourage you to always follow the microwaving instructions on the label for our Hot Fudge Topping and to be sure to store this product in the refrigerator after it has been opened.

Condensed milk fudge will last about 2 weeks at room temperature in an air tight container and about a month if refrigerated.