Creamy vanilla fudge recipe

This vanilla fudge recipe makes 36 pieces of creamy fudge, ready in just 35 minutes.

Make the smoothest homemade vanilla fudge with just six ingredients - soft and gooey to bit into, without being too chewy. The best fudge is meant to be firm but with a creamy, smooth texture and a slight hint of vanilla. We’ve tried and tested this recipe to guarantee these results every time. The trick is in cooking the fudge the right way by using a heavy-based pan, heating gently, and stirring frequently. This fudge is easy and relaxing to make, and it's a lovely Christmastime recipe because you can prettily package up the fudge to make homemade presents.

Ingredients

• 450g (1lb) granulated sugar
• 85g (3oz) butter
• 150ml (¼ pt) milk
• 175g (6oz) evaporated milk
• Few drops of vanilla extract
• A little vegetable oil

Method

1. Tip the sugar, butter, milk, and evaporated milk into a heavy-based pan and heat gently, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Bring to the boil and as the temperature rises, stir the fudge occasionally (be careful as the mixture is very hot) so that the sugar doesn't stick and burn.
3. Continue boiling until a temperature of 116C is reached on a sugar thermometer. If you don't have one of these, you can test if the fudge is at this temperature by spooning a small amount of the syrup into some iced water, it should form a soft ball.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Pour into an 18cm shallow square tin brushed with a little vegetable oil, and leave for 10-15 mins or until almost set. It will set quicker in the fridge.
6. This vanilla fudge recipes makes about 36 squares - mark these with a sharp knife before leaving to cool completely.

Watch how to make vanilla fudge

Top tips for making creamy vanilla fudge

Fudge is easy to make but there to a few tips and tricks that can help make it even more simple. Brush the sides of the pan with a brush dipped in water before cooking, this will help stop the fudge from crystallising and opt for a heavy pan and a wooden spoon. And invest in a sugar thermometer. There are methods for checking your fudge is done without a thermometer, but this makes it almost foolproof. 

How do you know when fudge is done without a thermometer?

You can do the cold water test. Fill a glass with cold water and drop a small amount of the fudge into it from a teaspoon. As it falls through the water the syrup should form into a ball. If it dissolves or forms into threads, it's undercooked. Try again with a clean spoon and new water in a couple of minutes. If it forms a ball, fish the ball out of the glass and press it between your fingers. It should be soft and easy to flatten. If it's hard, the fudge is overcooked.

How can I rescue overcooked fudge?

If your fudge is over temperature or forms a hard ball in the cold water test, it can make the results hard and brittle. Pour the fudge syrup into a clean pan and add 3-4 tbsp cream. Stir gently but continuously until the sugar crystals are all melted, then boil until it reaches 115-116ºC again.

How long does fudge last for?

As it’ll last 2 weeks at room temperature and 3-4 weeks in the fridge, you can make it in bulk and store it ahead of gifting. Storing fudge in the fridge however may dry it out a little so make sure you wrap it in waxed paper. Store in an airtight container either tin or plastic.

Why is my fudge grainy?

If your fudge is grainy it may be because you didn’t mix it for long enough. It could also be down to the fact that the sugar didn’t fully dissolve before boiling the mixture. You also need to make sure you have the right amount of fat in the fudge mixture too. Following the method as close as possible and timing everything to perfection will make delicious fudge every time.

How can I make this into a homemade gift?

This classic fudge is perfect as a homemade food gift for Christmas - or any time of year. The easiest way to present it is to pop a handful of fudge pieces into a cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon. If you want something a little more extravagant, use a shallow box, about 2cm deep. Line it with greaseproof paper and add the fudge neatly in a single layer grid. If you want to personalise the gift, you can add someone's name to the fudge using a chocolate writing pen. Otherwise you can add a personalised note inside for when they lift the lid. Line the back of the note with a piece of greaseproof paper before you place it in the box.

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