Classic Vanilla Fudge Recipe

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to make fudge, old fashioned fudge, vanilla fudge

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 30

Cooling Time: 10

Total Time: 10 35

Servings:

Calories: 240kcal

This Classic Vanilla Fudge recipe is perfect for the holidays! Add it to your cookie trays or gift to an old fashioned fudge lover!

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Equipment

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups sugar
1 ½ cups heavy cream
½ cup white chocolate
¼ cup light corn syrup
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

Instructions

Line your intended dish with parchment paper. For 1-inch thick fudge, we used a 5x8 glass dish.
In a heavy saucepan fixed with a candy thermometer, combine the 2 1/2 cups sugar, 1 ½ cups heavy cream, ½ cup white chocolate, ¼ cup light corn syrup and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, bringing to a low simmer until sugar and chocolate has melted, approximately 5 minutes.
Increase the heat slightly. Do not stir or mix any longer. Allow the candy thermometer to come to 240°F (soft ball stage) and continue to cook for 1 minute. It can take 10 minutes to get to this point and the color will change from pearly white to a cream/beige.
Carefully pour the mixture into a medium mixing bowl and then whisk in the 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste . Do not scrape the bottom of the pan in case any of the sugar scalded to the bottom.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to the parchment lined dish. Cover with plastic wrap.
Chill for at least 8 hours.
When ready to cut, lift the parchment out of the dish and cut into pieces.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Video

Notes

Storage: You can leave your fudge out at room temperature or in the fridge in an airtight container. However, fudge does not need to be stored in the refrigerator, in fact, cold air can actually dry the fudge out. Keep in an airtight container for up to 14 days.

Freezing: This vanilla fudge recipe can also be frozen to enjoy long after after the holiday party! When freezing homemade fudge, I like to double wrap it in freezer safe packaging to prevent freezer burn.

I prefer to freeze fudge in a large block, rather than pre-cutting it. I feel this protects the inside better and ensures the freshest taste possible.

Be sure to enjoy the fudge within two months. To thaw, bring it out to room temperature about 24 hours before you want to enjoy it. Store in an airtight container for freshness.

Nutrition