We’ve all been there. You’re in the kitchen, following a Traditional Fudge Recipe step by step, measuring out all the ingredients as you go, doing everything the recipe tells you. You finish making your Fudge and you leave it to cool before you beat it with a wooden spoon, however, your Fudge is not setting like the recipe says it should.
What equipment do you need to make Homemade Fudge?
First of all, it’s important to understand that if you use the wrong equipment when making Homemade Fudge, it may impact the overall quality! To effectively make delicious Homemade Fudge, you’ll need:
1. A heavy-bottomed pot with high sides
2. A wooden spoon (we use silicon but it has to be able to withstand temperatures of up to 260 degrees Fahrenheit)
3. A parchment-lined baking tray
4. A sugar thermometer or a jug of cold water
5. Patience and lots of it!
Why has my Fudge not set?
The main reasonis 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 reasonyour Fudgeis not settingis that the ratio of liquid to sugaris too high.
How long does it take Fudge to set?
It usually takes around 3 hours for Fudge to fully set. Therefore, if you have followeda traditional Fudge recipe correctly and boiled your Fudge to the optimum temperature, once you have beaten your Fudge it will take around 3 hours until it is fully set. When you are making Fudge, you must be patient!
What to do if your Fudge doesn’t set?
The good news is that you’ve probably made an amazing thick Fudge sauce! You could use your sauce to pour over ice cream or if you wanted it a little thinner, add some heavy cream and reheat the sauce until it has all melted through.
We hope you enjoyed the second blog in our Homemade Fudge mini-series. Leave us a comment below, we’d love to hear from you!
FAQs
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.
Why is my fudge not setting properly? ›
Fudge Didn't Set
If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).
What to do if fudge won't thicken? ›
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 do you make homemade fudge firmer? ›
Harden the fudge: Place your container or tins in the fridge for 2 hours, which is the time it takes for the fudge to set. Once it's hardened, cut the fudge into 12 pieces or remove it from the muffin tins. Store in the fridge or the freezer (if you don't devour it right away).
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 did my fudge stay soft? ›
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. Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft.
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.
Should you 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.
Will fudge set at room temperature? ›
Pour Fudge into Prepared Pan
Once the fudge has thickened and the nuts are added, pour the fudge into the prepared pan. Allow it to set at room temperature until firm, about three hours or overnight.
How much cornstarch to thicken fudge? ›
If you do not want your fudge to be overly sweet, you can combine 1 tbsp corn starch with 1 tbsp water and slowly mix into your fudge mixture. This should allow your fudge to thicken, because cornstarch is a thickeneing agent in desserts.
Smooth, creamy, and decadent fudge relies on proper technique, so keep these tips in mind when whipping up your next batch.
- Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. ...
- Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
- Beat Thoroughly.
What makes fudge firm? ›
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.
Can you make hard fudge soft again? ›
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 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.
Should you cut fudge before freezing? ›
Smaller pieces will allow you to just pick two or three pieces from the freezer at a time, while keeping the fudge in larger blocks creates less surface area to dry out. After cutting, wrap each piece with an airtight wrapping material such as aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
How do you fix refrigerated fudge? ›
In order to save your fudge, you need to rehydrate it. One way to do so is to place the fudge in an airtight container with some source of moisture and leave it to absorb overnight. This could be: A bowl of water.
Why won't my fudge harden? ›
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.
Do I put fudge in the fridge to set? ›
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 long does it take for fudge to fully set? ›
Proper fudge will set after sitting at room temperature for about 4 hours. Understand that cooking the fudge properly is the skirmish before the war. The real test of your mettle will occur when you beat the fudge, and learn to master the fine art of turning and pouring. And if it doesn't work out it's okay!