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.
How to fix fudge that has not 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 won't my 3 ingredient condensed milk fudge set? ›
Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool.
How do you make fudge set up faster? ›
One or two degrees can make all the difference. The syrup can cool down slowly, by staying in the saucepan at room temperature, or you can speed up the process by putting the saucepan in a sink filled with cold water.
How long does it take for fudge to thicken? ›
Beat the mixture until it just loses it's shine and becomes very thick (this should take about 5-10 minutes). The longer you beat once it starts to thicken then the more crumbly the final fudge will be. If you like it smooth - beat it only until comes away from the sides of the pan and sticks well to the spoon.
Can you 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.
What would cause fudge not to 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.
What happens if I use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk in fudge? ›
Don't Substitute One for the Other
Thus, using condensed milk in a recipe that requires evaporated milk will yield an overly sweet dish.
What happens if you don't beat fudge long enough? ›
It might be that you haven't dissolved all the sugar before boiling the fudge mixture. It could be that there just wasn't enough fluid or fat to enable the sugar to dissolve or it might even be that the fudge wasn't beaten long enough or hard enough. All of these factors could be the cause of grainy fudge.
Do you stir fudge when it's boiling? ›
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.
Proper fudge will set after sitting at room temperature for about 4 hours.
How do you know when fudge is ready to set? ›
You know it's ready when a small amount of the mixture dropped into a glass of cold water sets into a soft ball that you can lift out with a teaspoon and pinch between your fingers. Turn off the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes or until the mix starts to thicken a little.
How do you fix fudge that won't set? ›
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 to do if fudge is too runny? ›
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.
Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›
Why is my fudge not hardening? Typically this happens when the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk do not cook long enough in the microwave. If those two ingredients are not entirely melted, the fudge will not set up correctly while chilling in the fridge.
How to fix hardened fudge? ›
To fix oily, hard or grainy fudge, scoop the fudge back into a pot with about a cup of water. Cook it over low heat until the fudge dissolves. Then bring the fudge back up to the temperature specified in the recipe and follow the remaining steps. The flavor may be slightly diluted, but the texture will be improved.
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.
How long does it take for fudge to set? ›
Beware the recipe that tells you to chill the fudge to ensure it sets. Proper fudge will set after sitting at room temperature for about 4 hours.
How do you keep fudge from sticking together? ›
Use an airtight container to protect your fudge from exposure to air and moisture. Wrap individual pieces of fudge in plastic wrap or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
