Best British Fudge Recipes

EASY FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 20cm/8inch square tin with baking paper. Place a glass of cold water in the freezer (or in the fridge with ice cubes).
• Place all of the ingredients, apart from the salt, into a large, dry saucepan over a low heat. Continuously stir until the butter has melted and the sugar has completely dissolved.
• Slowly bring the mixture to a rolling boil over a medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Stir continuously, especially around the edges, to stop the mixture catching on the bottom of the pan and burning. Be very careful as the mixture is very hot.
• Once the mixture has reduced and darkened, carefully dip a teaspoon into the mixture and drizzle it into your glass of iced water (remove the ice cubes if using.) It should become a soft, pliable ball you can squash with your fingers when dropped into the iced water. If it sticks to the glass or your fingers when you press it, continue to boil and test the mixture every 2-3 minutes, or until it passes the test.
• Add a pinch of salt then beat the mixture well. Leave to cool in the saucepan for 10 minutes. Beat the thickened mixture again, breaking the top that will have started to set until it starts to lose its shine. Leave for another 5 minutes and beat again. Pour into the lined tin and level with the back of a spoon.
• Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until completely firm and you can cut through it easily with a knife without it getting stuck. Remove the fudge from the tin, transfer to a chopping board and slice into 36 pieces (6x6) with a sharp knife.

CLASSIC FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter and line a 20cm square cake tin with baking parchment. Put the butter, condensed milk, sugar and milk in a large saucepan over a low heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves.
• Increase the heat and bring to the boil. Bubble for 10 mins, stirring all the time until the mixture reaches 115C on a sugar or probe thermometer. Remove from the heat and leave to cool to 110C. Add the vanilla, then beat in a stand mixer or with an electric hand whisk until it cools to 60C. This will help break up any large sugar crystals. The fudge should be thick and matte-looking.
• Spoon the fudge into the prepared tin and press down with a spoon to smooth the surface. Leave to set, then cut into squares. Will keep for up to three weeks in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 18cm square tin with greaseproof paper.
• Put the milk, sugar and butter in a heavy-based saucepan. Heat gently, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.
• Bring to the boil for 15-20 mins, still stirring all the time. The mixture will bubble up - when it does, take it off the heat and keep stirring it until it sinks back down. Then return it to the heat.
• Start to take the temperature after about 15 mins (continuing to stir or it will burn on the bottom). The time it takes to come up to temperature may vary, particularly in a cold kitchen. Once it reaches 115C on a temperature probe, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a good pinch of sea salt. Leave to cool for 5 mins.
• Stir in the chopped chocolate and the mixture and keep stirring until the chocolate has melted. Quickly pour the mixture into your prepared tin and leave to set at room temperature.
• Before the fudge has completely set, you can add rows of different toppings like nuts, toffees or mini chocolate buttons - just scatter them over the surface and gently press into the fudge until they stick. Make sure the fudge is only slightly warm when you do this - if it's too hot the toppings can melt. Once set, cut the fudge into small pieces and store in a sealed container.

BRITISH "FUDGE"

Steps:

• Melt butter in saucepan.
• Add sugar, syrup and condensed milk.
• Bring to a boil and simmer for 8 minutes.
• Beat until thick, about 1 minute.
• Add crushed biscuits.
• Spread in 8x8 square pan and cool for 10 minutes.
• Cover with melted chocolate.