Christmas Fudge Recipe

What comes to mind when you hear fudge? Butterscotch? Chocolate? Eggnog? Red velvet? Susan Olayinka, food photographer and recipe developer at The Flexible Fridge, has a sweet and simple recipe for toffee-flavored Christmas fudge with sprinkles. Share this tantalizing delight with your family this season and they'll surely be begging for more. Given there's no baking required, Olayinka's method comes together in 30 minutes, with an extra few hours of wait time while the fudge sets. The result is perfect for a holiday spread, and you'll only need eight ingredients to whip up this sweet treat.

Fudge is an American delicacy, although its invention wasn't actually intentional, Cocopotamus recounts. The story goes that in 1886, a confectioner accidentally overcooked a caramel recipe, resulting in what is now known as fudge. From then on, this crumbly, sweet, and rich treat has been enjoyed around the world. Various flavors have since been created, including gingerbread, Rocky Road, and M&M. Start with this Christmas version and then let your taste buds direct you to the next!

To commence this recipe, you'll need the following ingredients: 1 cup of whole milk, 2 cups of superfine white sugar, 1 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of pecans. If you're unable to locate superfine sugar at the supermarket, our recipe developer confirms that granulated sugar works. She explains that "it will just take a bit longer to melt. Add an extra 5 [minutes] on the clock." Lastly, you'll need the zest of an orange and ¼ cup of Christmas-themed sprinkles (red, green, and white).

To begin, measure out the whole milk, sugar, butter, and heavy cream into a saucepan. Be sure to turn the heat up to medium-high so that the ingredients melt. As the contents come to a boil, stir the mixture continuously for 20 minutes while it cooks. In case you are using granulated sugar, keep going for a total of 25 minutes.

Let's dive into a little kitchen chemistry: Exposing these ingredients to high heat determines the final texture, according to All Recipes. By bringing the ingredients up to a boil, the sugar particles crystallize to create a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. 

Once the mixture has come to a boil and held a consistently high temperature, remove it from the heat. Allow the fudge to sit for 5 minutes to briefly cool it down. Afterward, use an electric whisk and beat it for another 5 minutes. According to The Spruce Eats, beating the candy causes it to lose its sheen, but you'll achieve a thick and silky consistency minus the grit. After 5 minutes, immediately stop whisking to preserve the texture.

Once you've whisked everything, stir in the vanilla extract, pecans, and orange zest to combine. Adding the vanilla extract creates a savory taste similar to caramel candy. We asked Olayinka how she would describe the flavor and she compares it to "toffee taste but with a different texture." Can you guess her favorite part of making this dessert? It's the taste test! "This recipe is so delicious," Olayinka says, adding, "especially the orange ... you don't normally find it in fudge."

Now that you've combined all the goodies, grab a spatula and begin scooping the fudge into an 8x8-inch glass dish. As you transfer the fudge from pan to dish, be sure to spread the candy evenly. Level off the top with your spatula, then pour the Christmas-themed sprinkles proportionately across the surface of the fudge. Press them slightly into the top of the dessert so that they stick. Lastly, set the dish aside at room temperature for 4 hours. During the setting process, the fudge will dry into its traditional, crumbly texture.

After setting for 4 hours, the fudge will have a firmer texture and you had better be ready to enjoy it! Olayinka confirms, "It's a must-try!" Take a sharp knife and cut the fudge into 16 even squares. Use a cake server or fork to carefully remove each piece from the dish. Display these luscious goodies in an appealing arrangement to treat your guests and family. Since it's undeniably simple, Olayinka suggests the best time to make this decadent dessert is "in the morning on the 24th [of] December!" Any extra fudge can be kept in an air-tight container.