You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).
Do you Stir fudge while boiling?
Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. … The fudge is ready when a candy thermometer reads between 112 to 114 °C (234 to 237 °F) or the mixture forms a soft ball in cold water. Let the mixture cool before beating.
How long do you beat fudge?
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. While beating by hand is the traditional method, you can use an electric mixer if you have one.
Can you overcook fudge?
The ingredients for fudge are combined and cooked to 234 degrees, cooled to 110 degrees without stirring, then beaten until creamy. Candy that isn’t cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard.
Can you cook fudge too long?
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.
What is the secret to good fudge?
The trick to good homemade fudge is to cook the ingredients to the right temperature to form a sugar syrup, and cool the mixture properly so the texture of the fudge turns out smooth and firm, but soft enough to cut.
How long should you boil fudge?
Determining when the fudge is done.
Start checking the fudge for doneness after 10 minutes of boiling. If you are using a thermometer, your fudge is ready when it reaches 235°F. Or go old-school and use the soft ball test.
What causes fudge not to harden?
In many cases, the sugar, butter, and milk mixture needed to be cooked longer or to a hotter temperature. That’s usually the culprit when fudge doesn’t set. You can try reheating your fudge mixture by adding a little more evaporated milk and bringing it slowly back to the boil.
How do you harden fudge?
Put your fudge in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so, and then freeze it for a couple hours. You can also store your fudge in the freezer to keep it fresh. Be sure to use an airtight container and take it out a few hours before you want to eat it (unless you like it cold and hard).
Why has my fudge gone grainy?
A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals. … The more you stir, the more crystal seeds you get. But instead of getting a few huge crystals (and grainy candy), you get lots and lots of tiny crystals, which make for thick, smooth candy.
How do you know when fudge is done without a thermometer?
To check your sugar syrup has reached the correct stage without using a sugar thermometer, place a bowl of very cold water next to the hob. Using a clean spoon, carefully take a little of the syrup and drop it into the bowl of cold water. Leave to cool for a moment then pick up the ball of syrup.
How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage?
Boil until the mixture reaches 234°F on a candy thermometer. Stir occasionally throughout the boiling time. Note: If you do not have a candy thermometer, allow the mixture to boil to the soft-ball stage. Check after boiling for 10 minutes.
Why is my fudge like caramel?
Fudge often turns into a chewy caramel-like texture because incorrect temperatures were reached. The ideal temperature for the fudge to cook at is 232-234°F (111-112°C). Anything more or less will change the texture completely.
How can you tell if fudge is soft ball stage?
You can also test for soft ball stage by using a glass of cold water. When the fudge has boiled for about 10 minutes start to test by dropping a little of the mixture into a glass of cold water. If the mixture forms a thread as it sinks into the water then it needs cooking for a little longer.
Should you cover fudge to cool?
Using the Fridge or Freezer
Most fudge recipes call for the fudge to cool at room temperature. Fudge needs to cool slowly to avoid the sugar crystallizing too rapidly and affecting the texture. … When you do put fudge into the fridge, whether you are trying to make it set or storing it, wrap it or cover it carefully.