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ThisBrown Sugar Fudge Recipe requires only 4 ingredients, 10 minutes, and a little patience until the first sweet, heavenly bite. It’s a gourmet fudge recipe, but also one of my favorite simple fudge recipes!
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Hi friends, I’m Katrina from Kitchen Trials and I’m so happy to be sharing one of my favorite fudge recipes with you. I love to BBQ, just like Wendy does…so come on over and say hi, but first…let’s talk about this fudge!
I had no idea that brown sugar fudge was such a thing until the husband and I started frequenting a little breakfast place years ago (read: years before kids came into the picture). We would gorge on crepes and French toast, piles of bacon, sausages, and hash browns, and giant bowls of fresh fruit. At the end of the meal, when you couldn’t possibly think of eating another bite, they would bring out a little plate of brown sugar fudge. Just two tiny bites for each of us. I mean, you wouldn’t think that fudge was what one needed at 11am in the morning, but it was ABSOLUTELY what I needed.
I never forgot how great that fudge was. Two little bites of sweetness turned out to be the perfect, decadent way to end a morning brunch. Their brown sugar fudge was a bit of a different texture than your typical fudge. This kind just sort of melted in your mouth.
It also brought back some really great memories I had of my grade seven French and history teacher, Mrs Pollitt. We were learning about Canadian history and she brought in a homemade brown sugar pie. If you were from Quebec, I’m sure this was normal to you, but to me it was such a crazy good combination, it’s stuck with me for the last 23 years. This fudge brought that flavour rushing back into my mind. I had to make it myself. Ever since then, it’s been a staple in my Christmas baking, or just whenever I want to make a really special brunch for the family.
Simple Fudge Making Tips for Brown Sugar Fudge
The brown sugar fudge recipe is incredibly easy to make, too. Seriously. Just four ingredients and ten minutes is all you need to whip it up – and then the patience to let it chill and firm up before digging into it. I mean, you could just leave a couple bites worth in the pan or on the spatula, because that will firm up real quick. Not that I do that. Every single time I make this.
All you do is butter a glass baking dish (6”x10” is your best bet if you have it for nice thick squares). Then, add some butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream to a medium pot. Whisk is all together while the butter melts. When it just starts to boil around the edges set a timer for 5 minutes and keep whisking off and on. Once the five minutes is up you move it off the heat, beat in the icing sugar, then pour it into the buttered dish. That’s it!
Make sure to check out all of Wendy’s simplegourmet fudge recipestoo! She might just be a bigger fan of fudge than I am.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup butter (+ 1 tablespoon for greasing the dish)
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
Instructions
- Butter a 8” x 8” glass baking dish and set aside.*
- Put 2/3 cup butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar into a medium pot set over medium heat. Whisk continuously until the butter has melted. As soon as the edges start to bubble and boil, set a timer for 5 minutes. Whisk occasionally, and turn to medium-low when it comes to a rolling boil.
- Immediately remove the pot from the heat when the five minutes are up, and add the icing sugar. Whip with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into the prepared dish and chill for 1 hour before cutting and serving.
Notes
*Instead of buttering the pan, you can line the pan with foil with some hanging over the edges so the fudge can be lifted out easily and cut.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 64Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 65Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 18mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 0g
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See all of my simple gourmet fudge recipes here
FAQs
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.
Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›
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.
What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›
Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to a boil, do not stir it. If you do, the sugar can crystallize, giving your fudge a gritty texture. As you beat the fudge, pay attention to color and texture. Once the fudge loses its sheen and thickens, put down your spoon.
Why is my homemade fudge too hard? ›
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. Pay attention to the timetable specified in the recipe, and you'll get the hang of it after a batch or two.
Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›
Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done. Do not rely on the cooking time indicated in your recipe.
What ingredient makes fudge hard? ›
Too cooked
At this temperature, the sugar is too concentrated and there is not enough water left to form syrup around sugar crystals. The result is hard and brittle fudge. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.)
How to make fudge more solid? ›
How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. 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.
Can you reboil fudge that hasn't set? ›
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 can I do with failed fudge? ›
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 each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed.
How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›
How long does it take to make fudge:
- about 18 min to reach boiling.
- about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
- 60 minutes to cool.
- 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
- 4 hours to set.
When making fudge, you are actually creating very tiny sugar crystals that feel velvety on the palate. The issue arises when large crystals form, which in essence create that grainy texture. This can happen from stirring the sugar mixture after it starts to boil, or from stirring it once it is already starting to cool.
How to tell if fudge is ready without a thermometer? ›
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. If it's pliable, sticky and can be moulded in your fingers easily, it has reached the soft ball stage and the syrup can be used to make fudge and marzipan.
What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›
Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!
How long do you have to beat fudge? ›
Allow the fudge mixture to rest until the temperature registers between 150°-160°. Once the desired temperature is reached, beat the ever-loving stuffing out of the fudge. Two to three minutes of hardcore mixing (by hand). This is where you earn the right to eat half of the batch.
What thickens fudge? ›
As the mixture cooks, water evaporates and sugar hardens, thickening the fudge.
Why hasn't my fudge set properly? ›
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.
