🍫 Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge
🛒 Ingredients
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3 cups granulated sugar
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¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1½ cups whole milk
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⅛ tsp salt
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3 tbsp unsalted butter
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Optional: 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
👩🍳 Instructions
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Prep the pan
Butter an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) square pan or line it with parchment paper. -
Combine ingredients
In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, stir together sugar, cocoa, salt, and milk. Place over medium heat. -
Cook
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.
Stop stirring and continue to boil without stirring until the mixture reaches 234°F (112°C) on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). This takes about 10–15 minutes. -
Cool (important!)
Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla but do not stir. Let it cool to about 110°F (43°C)—this takes 15–20 minutes. -
Beat the fudge
Once cooled, beat with a wooden spoon until it thickens and starts to lose its gloss (about 5–8 minutes). Stir in nuts, if using. -
Pour into pan
Spread evenly in the prepared pan. Let set at room temperature for 1–2 hours before cutting into squares.
✅ Tips
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Don’t stir after it starts boiling—this can cause crystallization (grainy texture).
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Use a candy thermometer for best results.
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If you don’t have one, drop a little of the hot fudge into cold water: if it forms a soft ball, it’s ready.
Would you like a peanut butter fudge, microwave shortcut version, or a fudge without thermometer option?