This is where it all started. On my other blog, I wrote a post entitled ‘What DO you do about fudge that hasn’t set?’. That post ended up having the highest number of views out of all my posts. Months after I posted it, visitors were finding their way to that post every day in search of solutions to their fudge setting problems, and thus the idea for this site was born. These were the tips I gave on that post…
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 eachsquare thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed. Cross your fingers and hope that the chocolate sets firmly before the fudge starts to thaw, and later impress your friends as you present them with your soft-centred chocolates.
OPTION 3) Sieve together somepowdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reachesthe consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll inpowdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).
OPTION 4) If you think the reason it didn’t set was because you didn’t heat it to the right temperature, you could try putting it back into the pan and re-cooking.
How to make sure you get it right next time:
– Follow the recipe exactly. Cooked fudge, like any candy-making, is a pretty exact science, so ensure you measure ingredients carefully, add them in the right order, and heat to the right temperature (don’t guess, use a candy thermometer).
– Use a heavy based pan to prevent it burning on the bottom, and heat the mixture up to the required temperature nice and slowly.
– Once it has reached the required temperature, keep it on a rolling boil until it reaches the soft ball stage (a small amount dropped into cold water turns into a pliable ball).
– When you remove it from the heat, leave it in the pan to cool by a couple of degrees before stirring it or pouring it out.
If everything fails:
Give up on making cooked fudge, and search online for the many delicious recipes for no-cook fudge available. Yes, I could have posted some of those here, but I’m not going to do ALL the work for you.
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PHOTO CREDIT:
Kasey Albano –http://superfloss.deviantart.com/
Sourced from –http://www.sxc.hu/
FAQs
Cornstarch or Gelatin: Another option to consider is using cornstarch or gelatin. By incorporating a small amount of either cornstarch or gelatin into the mixture, you can enhance the thickening properties. Then, proceed to reheat and re-pour the fudge, allowing for better consistency and thickness.
Can you redo fudge that didn't set? ›
OPTION 4) If you think the reason it didn't set was because you didn't heat it to the right temperature, you could try putting it back into the pan and re-cooking.
How do you fix runny fudge? ›
To fix it, you can reheat the fudge mixture over low heat and continue cooking until it reaches the proper temperature.
How to fix dried out fudge? ›
Fudge might be able to be reconstituted, if you put it in a food processor or grinder, then add to liquid (water or maybe milk) and heat slowly. If it all melts, then you can pour it into a pan and let it set, and cut as you like.
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.
What to do with unset fudge? ›
You can bring it back to a boil with a bit of water, cooking it to the proper temp this time, and go from there. You can melt it with a bit of additional cream and make hot fudge sauce. Serve it over scope of peppermint ice cream set atop a brownie. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane.
What happens if you don't boil fudge long enough? ›
Undercooked. This fudge was cooked until the temperature reached only108 °C (226 °F). At this temperature, the sugar is not concentrated enough... there is too much leftover water in the syrup and the resulting fudge is soft.
How long does it take for fudge to firm up? ›
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!
Why is my homemade fudge dry? ›
If your fudge is tough, hard, or grainy, then you may have made one of several mistakes: You may have overcooked it, beaten it too long, or neglected to cool it to the proper temperature. Don't throw out the whole pan, because you may be able to melt the fudge down and try again.
Should you Stir fudge while cooking? ›
Don't stir!
Once the fudge reaches soft-ball stage on the candy thermometer, remove from the heat and let the temperature drop to 110°F. Keep that spoon or spatula out of the pot until this happens. If you stir too early in the process, you'll make the sugar crystals too big and end up with grainy fudge.
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.
Can you put fudge in the freezer to set? ›
Freeze to set: Move the pan to the freezer to speed up the set time. Cut and enjoy: After 30 minutes in the freezer cut the fudge into squares. Enjoy!
How to prevent fudge from drying out? ›
The best way to store fudge is to keep it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with wax paper, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap. This will help prevent the fudge from drying out or developing a slimy texture.
How do you fix fudge that didn't set up? ›
Solutions to Save Your Fudge:
- Reheat and Stir: If you find your fudge to be runny, attempting to salvage it is an option. ...
- Cornstarch or Gelatin: Another option to consider is using cornstarch or gelatin. ...
- Refrigerate Longer: Place the unset fudge in the refrigerator for an extended period to encourage firming.
The ratio of chocolate to condensed milk needs to be just right, otherwise you might end up with fudge that is too soft or too hard. Do not freeze the fudge to set it. Best way is to just be patient for a couple hours and set it in the fridge. If your fudge hasn't set, then you've gone wrong somewhere else.
Should fudge be crumbly or soft? ›
To me, fudge should hold together in blocks, but when you bite into it, it should have a buttery, sweet flavour and a slightly grainy, melt-in-the-mouth texture. It should crumble and be short and snappy rather than chewy and stretchy.
Can you remake fudge? ›
The solution? A fudge do-over. Even though it set up properly, I threw it back into a saucepan with about 1 1/2 cups of water and gently heated the mixture to dissolve the fudge into the water. From there, I pretty much re-did the whole cooking process.
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.
Can you freeze unset fudge? ›
If you have oodles of willpower and want to save your fudge for later, it freezes well. Wrap each slice (or the whole box) in foil or plastic wrap to seal it. You don't even have to defrost it – your fudge tastes just as scrumptious frozen and cuts easily with a knife, or better still, grate directly onto ice-cream.
How long does it take for fudge to fully 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. Understand that cooking the fudge properly is the skirmish before the war.
