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    Home > Recipes > Dessert

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Published: Dec 10, 2021 | Updated: May 11, 2022

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    This Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe is chewy, fudgy with the perfect amount of chocolate. Step by Step instructions for perfect fudge every time! 

    Jump to Recipe

    Day 10 of the annual 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2021!

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    You have no idea how much this recipe altogether means to me. For years I have been trying to make fudge. YEARS! 

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Previously, I thought 2015 was going to be my year. After all, I had just gone to culinary school. I felt pretty confident. But, let me tell you, when you are on your third round of 2AM fudge after working the hot line at a steakhouse, even the strongest confidence bubble will burst. ? “Next year, I said.” 

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    But fear not, friends, 2021 was my YEAR OF FUDGE. Never have I ever been more proud of myself ? nor has success tasted so sweet. Good thing the wedding was the weekend before, or I would have had a wedding dress problem! 

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    I am not exaggerating when I say that I read every single recipe for fudge in my extensive vintage and modern cookbook collection, and I dove deep into the web looking for fudge illumination. The problem with 96% of fudge recipes is that they are too general. There are recipes where method doesn’t really matter, or there are several means to the same end.

    Fudge does not fall into that category. Method significantly matters. 

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Just ask 2AM 2015 Lindsey. Some attempts didn’t set, some became crystallized rocks. Moreover, none vaguely resemble fudge. The OG recipe that I was trying to make was my Dad’s Mom, Ruth Jean’s. She obviously didn’t need instructions whereas I needed a full team of grandmothers to hold my hand.  

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Next year, Dad, I will make Ruth Jean’s recipe. That’s in fact a promise. 

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    The winning instructions come from Better Homes & Gardens Cookies and Candies 1966 Cookbook. There may not be many recipe photos in the book, but I appreciate that the authors took an entire page to provide step by step photos of making fudge. They particularly knew what was up. God bless. 

    If you aren’t here for this much work. I likewise feel that deeply. Make this easy Peppermint Fudge instead.

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Combine sugar, milk, chopped chocolate, salt, corn syrup and butter. Cook over medium high heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves and it comes to a boil.

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot. Cook, without stirring or swirling, until it reaches soft-ball stage (236°F). You can double check by dropping a small spoonful in ice water. It should form a soft, pliable ball of candy. 

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Add the extract and begin beating vigorously with a wooden spoon. Don’t stop beating! No resting! Enlisting the help of a friend is highly recommended. Try not to scrape around the edges.

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Push the mixture from the pan into prepared dish and don’t scrape around the sides. It seems wasteful but the crystals will ruin the texture of your fudge! Smooth out the surface. 

    These stunning Homemade Speculoos Cookies were Day 9!

    Day 8 (a new personal fave) was Double Chocolate Biscotti!

    Day 7 (Part 2) of the annual 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2021 were Cinnamon Almond Bars!

    Traditional Raspberry Linzer Cookies were Day 7 (Part 1) of 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2021!

    These Cardamom Crescent Cookies were Day 6!

    We adored Part 2 of Day 5: the traditional Pfeffernüsse Cookies!

    Part 1 of Day 5 was the wondrous: Moravian Christmas Cookie!

    We all loved Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies: Orange Financiers!

    Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies: Pistachio Cranberry Sablee Cookies!

    We had Day 2 of the 12 Day Christmas Cookie celebration: Cashew Caramel Pretzel Blondies!

    Don’t forget about Part One of Day 2 of the 12 Day Cookie Extravaganza: Hungarian Walnut Rolls!

    And who could leave out Day 1, Italian Pizzelles!? Make them all

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe with walnut on top

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

    Chef Lindsey
    This Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe is chewy, fudgy with the perfect amount of chocolate. Step by Step instructions for perfect fudge every time!
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time1 hr 35 mins
    Course Candy & Chocolate
    Cuisine American
    Servings 15 Pieces
    Calories 147 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cups Sugar (460g)
    • ¾ cups Milk (195g)
    • 2 oz Unsweetened Chocolate (2, 1 oz squares, chopped)
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 1 tablespoon Light corn syrup
    • 2 tablespoon Butter (plus additional for the dish & pot)
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
    • Walnut Halves (for finishing)
    Makes: 4inch4 x 6inch rectangle
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions
     

    • Butter the sides of a heavy, high-sided sauce pot. Don’t skimp this is crucial because then when the fudge is bubbling, sugar can’t cling to the side and create unwanted crystals.
    • Also butter a 4x6” baking dish or loaf pan. I had the darndest time getting mine out and next time I will try lining it with parchment paper and then buttering! Don’t worry, the scraps didn’t go to waste.
    • Combine sugar, milk, chopped chocolate, salt, corn syrup and butter. Cook over medium high heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves and it comes to a boil.
    • Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot. Cook, without stirring or swirling, until it reaches soft-ball stage (236°F). You can double check by dropping a small spoonful in ice water. It should form a soft, pliable ball of candy.
    • Remove from the heat and allow to cool undisturbed to 110°F. The bottom of the pan should feel comfortably warm to your hand.
    • Add the extract and begin beating vigorously with a wooden spoon. Don’t stop beating! No resting! Enlisting the help of a friend is highly recommended. Try not to scrape around the edges.
    • The fudge will begin to stiffen and lose it’s gloss. The longer you beat it, the more air that will be incorporated. This will change the texture ever so slightly. It will make it more crumbly but will have a magically chewy, fudgy texture. I was paranoid about stopping too soon and mine never really lost its gloss, so I finally just had to call it.
    • Push the mixture from the pan into prepared dish and don’t scrape around the sides. It seems wasteful but the crystals will ruin the texture of your fudge! Smooth out the surface.
    • Score the squares with the tip of a knife for neater slices later. Press a perfect half walnut into the top of each square before they set completely. [Try not to stress.]
    • Once it cools, cut along score marks and admire your handiwork. Bravo! You made fudge!!!

    Notes

    Yield: 15, 1-inch squares & happiness
    Keyword candy recipes, chocolate, fudge, old fashioned dessert recipe
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cheflindseyfarr
    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe
    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

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    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    1. Rose says

      March 07, 2022 at 5:02 am

      5 stars
      Can you please tell me how to double this recipe? Thank you ever so much.

      Reply
      • Lindsey says

        March 13, 2022 at 12:11 pm

        Multiply everything by two! Happy baking

        Reply
    2. Marnie says

      December 20, 2021 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      I made this fudge yesterday and it turned out great. Thank you for the excellent instructions!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Farr says

        December 21, 2021 at 7:34 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed! ????

        Reply

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