Description
This classic Old Fashioned Fudge recipe yields a rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet treat made from simple ingredients like sugar, cocoa, butter, and evaporated milk. It’s a nostalgic favorite that’s easy to prepare and sets into a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth confection. Optional nuts add a delightful crunch to complement the smooth texture.
Ingredients
Fudge Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 tablespoons Hershey’s cocoa powder
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter
- 5-ounce can Carnation evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Nuts (optional, as desired)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, mix together the sugar and Hershey’s cocoa powder thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Add Butter and Milk: Add the stick of salted butter and the entire 5-ounce can of evaporated milk to the saucepan with the dry mixture. Stir consistently while heating until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Boil and Stir: Maintain a gentle boil and continue stirring the mixture constantly for 7 minutes to prevent burning and to achieve the right fudge consistency.
- Add Vanilla and Stir: Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in the vanilla extract. Continue to stir the fudge mixture continuously for an additional 3 minutes off the heat to help it thicken properly.
- Set the Fudge: Pour the hot fudge mixture into a buttered baking dish. If desired, sprinkle or fold in nuts before pouring. Let the fudge cool and set completely at room temperature before slicing into 16 servings.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching while boiling.
- Stirring constantly is critical to avoid burning and to achieve a smooth texture.
- You can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
- Allow fudge to cool and set fully at room temperature; refrigeration is optional but may alter the texture.
- For a firmer fudge, extend the boiling time by 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to overcook.
