This is where it all started. On my other blog, I wrote a post entitled ‘What DO you do about fudge that hasn’t set?’. That post ended up having the highest number of views out of all my posts. Months after I posted it, visitors were finding their way to that post every day in search of solutions to their fudge setting problems, and thus the idea for this site was born. These were the tips I gave on that post…
Options for what you can do with your unset fudge:
OPTION 1) Depending on how runny it is, you can either use it as a frosting for cakes, or a sauce for ice-cream.
OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover eachsquare thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed. Cross your fingers and hope that the chocolate sets firmly before the fudge starts to thaw, and later impress your friends as you present them with your soft-centred chocolates.
OPTION 3) Sieve together somepowdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reachesthe consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll inpowdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).
OPTION 4) If you think the reason it didn’t set was because you didn’t heat it to the right temperature, you could try putting it back into the pan and re-cooking.
How to make sure you get it right next time:
– Follow the recipe exactly. Cooked fudge, like any candy-making, is a pretty exact science, so ensure you measure ingredients carefully, add them in the right order, and heat to the right temperature (don’t guess, use a candy thermometer).
– Use a heavy based pan to prevent it burning on the bottom, and heat the mixture up to the required temperature nice and slowly.
– Once it has reached the required temperature, keep it on a rolling boil until it reaches the soft ball stage (a small amount dropped into cold water turns into a pliable ball).
– When you remove it from the heat, leave it in the pan to cool by a couple of degrees before stirring it or pouring it out.
If everything fails:
Give up on making cooked fudge, and search online for the many delicious recipes for no-cook fudge available. Yes, I could have posted some of those here, but I’m not going to do ALL the work for you.
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PHOTO CREDIT:
Kasey Albano –http://superfloss.deviantart.com/
Sourced from –http://www.sxc.hu/
FAQs
OPTION 1) Depending on how runny it is, you can either use it as a frosting for cakes, or a sauce for ice-cream. OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed.
How do you fix runny fudge? ›
If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.
How to make fudge soft again? ›
You could also gently heat the fudge with some moisture. This could be done: In the microwave - microwave in short increments with a glass of (warm) water, which creates steam for the fudge to absorb, until the fudge no longer feels/looks dried out.
Can I put fudge in the fridge to set? ›
NEVER REFRIGERATE your fudge as this will draw out the moisture and leave you with dry, crumbly fudge.
Can I freeze fudge to make it set? ›
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.
Why won't my fudge harden? ›
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.
How do you harden homemade fudge? ›
Freezing your fudge is the key to a hardened result.
Can I fix hard fudge? ›
To fix it, you can reheat the fudge mixture over low heat and continue cooking until it reaches the proper temperature. Be sure to use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. Alternatively, you can try to salvage chewy fudge by mixing it into ice cream or using it as a topping for desserts.
What makes fudge firmer? ›
Cooking is necessary to dissolve sugar crystals and to evaporate part of the water in the cream. The length of this step has a direct impact on the firmness of the fudge.
Can you soften fudge that has hardened? ›
Cut the fudge into small pieces around one inch and put it on the plate and place each fudge with the distance in between. Keep a bowl of water inside the microwave along with the fudge to create moisture for the pieces to inhale. Next, microwave the fudge pieces for just 10 seconds.
How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.
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.
How to 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.
Is it better to freeze or refrigerate fudge? ›
So to recap, it's best to store proper fudge at room temperature. Keeping it in the fridge takes out all its moisture, drying it out. Homemade fudge is best in the fridge. No matter where you store it, the goal is to protect the fudge from exposure to the elements so airtight containers are best!
How long does fudge take to harden in the fridge? ›
Let the fudge rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before placing in the refrigerator, uncovered. Refrigerate until the fudge is firm, about 2-3 hours (or overnight), before slicing and serving.
How do you wrap fudge for freezing? ›
Wrap the fudge (whole block or cut into individual pieces) in plastic wrap. If you are wrapping multiple individual pieces of cut fudge in a stack, place wax or parchment paper between each layer. Storing individual portions is great if you want to thaw a few pieces at a time.
Can I fix my fudge? ›
The solution? A fudge do-over. Even though it set up properly, I threw it back into a saucepan with about 1 1/2 cups of water and gently heated the mixture to dissolve the fudge into the water. From there, I pretty much re-did the whole cooking process.
Should you stir fudge while it's boiling? ›
You should mix the cream, butter, and sugar when making your fudge, but put down the spoon once it has reached its boiling point. Stirring while your sugar mixture is boiling will only form sugar crystals and make your fudge crunchy rather than silky smooth.
How long does it take for fudge to thicken? ›
Using a wooden spoon, beat the fudge vigorously until it thickens and begins to lose its gloss. This may take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.
What makes fudge thick? ›
Tiny microcrystals in fudge are what give it its firm texture. The crystals are small enough, however, that they don't feel grainy on your tongue, but smooth. While you ultimately want crystals to form, it's important that they don't form too early.
