7 Easy Ways to Fix Fudge - wikiHow (2024)

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1Can you fix fudge that seized?

2How do you make hard, crumbly fudge soft again?

3How do you fix fudge that is too soft?

4Can I fix grainy fudge?

5What happens if you don't beat fudge?

6What happens if you overbeat fudge?

7How do you harden fudge quickly?

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Co-authored byAmy BobingerReviewed byJennifer Levasseur

Last Updated: August 25, 2021References

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Fudge is smooth, creamy, and decadent—the perfect treat for chocolate lovers. But when you try making fudge at home, it's notoriously tricky to get that perfect texture. Your fudge might turn out too hard, too soft, grainy, or separated, and you might not even know why. Luckily, we have a few tricks that might help you salvage your sweet treat, so don't give up on your chocolatey dreams just yet!

  1. 1

    Add solid chocolate or fat if the chocolate was overcooked. If the temperature of your fudge gets a little too high, the sugars in the chocolate will clump up and separate from the fats. This creates a lumpy mess, but you may be able to save it. Put a few squares of solid chocolate into the bowl with the seized fudge and stir everything together until the solid chocolate melts. That could help reintegrate the fudge.[1]

    • You might also be able to add a little bit of cocoa butter or vegetable oil to the mixture. There aren't any exact measurements for this—start with maybe 14tsp (1.2ml) and work your way up from there. You may not get the same perfectly smooth fudge as you would have before, but it's better than wasting all of that yummy chocolate!
    • If the chocolate was scorched, it will have a burnt taste, so just throw it out.[2] Also, the next time you use that recipe, consider shortening the boiling time.[3]
  2. 2

    Make a fudge sauce if the chocolate seized from liquid or cold. Chocolate is finicky. If even a little bit of moisture gets into your bowl, the fudge will seize. The same thing will happen if the chocolate gets cold too quickly. In either case, there's not really anything you can do to save the fudge. However, you can still enjoy the chocolate by adding milk or cream to create a delicious fudge sauce.[4]

    • Place the fudge over low heat and slowly whisk in about 1UStbsp (15ml) of milk or cream at a time. Keep adding liquid and stirring until the fudge sauce is thick, glossy, and smooth.
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Question 2 of 7:

How do you make hard, crumbly fudge soft again?

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  1. 7 Easy Ways to Fix Fudge - wikiHow (6)

    Add 3–4UStbsp (44–59ml) of whipping cream and remelt the fudge. If you let your fudge get too hot, the sugars will start to concentrate and the fudge will be crumbly, dull, and hard.[5] To fix it, put it back into the saucepan and add about 3–4UStbsp (44–59ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the mixture as you heat it until the sugar in the fudge is melted. Then, stop stirring and let the fudge boil until it reaches 237–239°F (114–115°C).[6]

    • Once the fudge reaches the right temperature, take it off the heat and let it cool to 110–122°F (43–50°C), then beat the fudge as you normally would.

Question 3 of 7:

How do you fix fudge that is too soft?

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  1. 7 Easy Ways to Fix Fudge - wikiHow (8)

    Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2UStbsp (15–30ml) of cream. If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2UStbsp (15–30ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again. Then, let the fudge come to a boil without stirring it at all. When it reaches 237–239°F (114–115°C), take it off the heat and let it cool to 110–122°F (43–50°C) before you stir it again.

    • Your fudge also might become soft if it's too humid in your kitchen. If you think that might be the case, add 1°F (1°C) to your cooking temperature.[7]
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Question 4 of 7:

Can I fix grainy fudge?

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  1. Maybe—try stirring in whipping cream over low heat. If your fudge came out grainy, there's a good chance that you didn't let it cool enough before you stirred it. Put it back in the pan over very low heat. Break the chocolate up with a spoon and add 2UStbsp (30ml) of whipping cream. Stir until the fudge is warm and slightly softened, then take it off the heat and beat the fudge again.[8]

    • When you beat the fudge while it's too warm, the chocolate develops large crystals—that's what gives it that grainy texture. Re-beating the fudge can help smooth those out, but it won't always work. It's worth a try, though!

Question 5 of 7:

What happens if you don't beat fudge?

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  1. It won't set correctly. When you beat the fudge, the sugar in the chocolate starts to crystallize. Letting the chocolate cool first creates small crystals, which is what gives fudge its smooth, creamy texture. However, if you don't beat it at all, the crystals won't form properly, so your fudge won't set.[9]

    • If you forget to beat the fudge, try heating it back up over low heat, then beat it once it's slightly softened.
    • If you beat the fudge too soon, the crystals will be too large, and the fudge will be grainy.
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Question 6 of 7:

What happens if you overbeat fudge?

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  1. 7 Easy Ways to Fix Fudge - wikiHow (14)

    The fudge will become hard. When you're beating fudge, watch for the chocolate to become thick enough that it can almost hold its shape when you drop it from your spoon. When that happens, it's time to stop stirring. Mix in anything you're adding to the fudge, like nuts, and pour it into the pan to set.[10]

    • If you accidentally overbeat the fudge and you notice it's starting to get stiff, take it out of the saucepan and put it onto a piece of wax or parchment paper. Knead it with your hands until you can easily shape it. Then, roll it into 1–2in (2.5–5.1cm) balls, or shape it into logs that you can slice into fudge rounds.

Question 7 of 7:

How do you harden fudge quickly?

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  1. 7 Easy Ways to Fix Fudge - wikiHow (16)

    Don't rush this process. Never put fudge in the fridge or freezer to cool quickly. It needs to cool slowly in order to develop that perfect texture. If you get the chocolate cool too fast, the crystals in the fudge will develop too early, and your fudge will be grainy and lumpy.[11]

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      About This Article

      7 Easy Ways to Fix Fudge - wikiHow (17)

      Reviewed by:

      Jennifer Levasseur

      Personal Chef

      This article was reviewed by Jennifer Levasseur and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been viewed 42,734 times.

      29 votes - 69%

      Co-authors: 5

      Updated: August 25, 2021

      Views:42,734

      Categories: Fudge

      Article SummaryX

      To fix fudge, you can try a few simple things. If the chocolate was overcooked, try adding solid chocolate or fat. However, if you chocolate seizes because it either got too cold or there was too much liquid added to it, you might consider making a fudge sauce. If your fudge is hard and crumbly, add 3–4 US tbsp (44–59 ml) of whipping cream and remelt it. If your fudge is too soft, bring it back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. You might be able to fix fudge that’s too grainy by stirring in whipping cream over low heat.

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      7 Easy Ways to Fix Fudge - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How can I fix my fudge? ›

      To fix oily, hard or grainy fudge, scoop the fudge back into a pot with about a cup of water. Cook it over low heat until the fudge dissolves. Then bring the fudge back up to the temperature specified in the recipe and follow the remaining steps. The flavor may be slightly diluted, but the texture will be improved.

      What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›

      The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

      What to do with failed fudge? ›

      My advice to you is to just pour it in a jar, call it something else delicious, and pretend you meant for it to be that way. The nice thing about my “failed” fudge is that it tastes absolutely delicious! A spoonful of the delectable treat will make you want for more.

      What causes fudge to not set up? ›

      Homemade Fudge Doesn't Always Set

      If your fudge doesn't firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn't reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.

      How do you beat fudge? ›

      Beat the mixture

      After letting the fudge cool, it's time to beat it. It is important to stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture starts to thicken and its surface starts to look dull or matte. Now is the time to stop beating and pour the fudge into a mould.

      Why is my fudge gummy? ›

      If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

      How do you make fudge creamy and not grainy? ›

      While you ultimately want crystals to form, it's important that they don't form too early. The key to successful, nongrainy fudge is in the cooling, not the cooking. The recipe calls for heating the ingredients to the soft-ball stage, or 234° F, then allowing it to cool undisturbed to approximately 110° F.

      What not to do when making fudge? ›

      7 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Candy Shop-Worthy Fudge and Caramels
      1. Using the Wrong Pan. All candy and confections start by melting sugar. ...
      2. Stirring the Sugar. ...
      3. Not Using a Candy Thermometer. ...
      4. Leaving Out the Parchment Paper Lining. ...
      5. Skipping the Cooking Spray. ...
      6. Scraping the Pot. ...
      7. Using a Cold Knife to Slice.
      Dec 16, 2015

      Why did my fudge come out like taffy? ›

      Fudge usually behaves this way when it's not cooked to a high enough temperature (due to oversight or a faulty candy thermometer).

      What happens if you beat fudge too soon? ›

      This fudge was beaten immediately after cooking, while it was still very hot. Its crystals are so big that it has practically reverted back to a sugar state! What happened? Beating the syrup caused the formation of crystallization nuclei, anchor points to which sugar molecules attach to form crystals.

      How do you fix separated chocolate fudge? ›

      Funnily enough, it's super simple. First boil some water. Second, very slowly, as in 1-2 tsp at a time add in the boiling water and whisk the chocolate vigorously until the mixture is smooth again. The hot water will essentially melt the clumps back to a liquid consistency.

      Was fudge made by mistake? ›

      That appetite for fudge dates back more than a century. Food historian Joyce White says fudge is based on a recipe for chocolate caramels, which was very similar. "What probably happened is that there was someone in Baltimore, messed it up, or 'fadged' it," she said. "Fadge is a word that means you messed up.

      Can I fix fudge that didn't set? ›

      OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

      How to fix hard fudge? ›

      In the oven - wrap the fudge in foil with a tiny bit of water, perhaps 2-3 teaspoons and bake at a low temperature (120-140C or 248-284F) for 10-20 minutes, or until the fudge no longer feels/looks dried out.

      Why is my fudge drying out? ›

      Fudge is best stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks wrapped up in its original wax paper. NEVER REFRIGERATE your fudge as this will draw out the moisture and leave you with dry, crumbly fudge.

      How to stop fudge from crystallizing? ›

      By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

      Why did my fudge turn out like caramel? ›

      Fudge can turn into caramel due to overcooking or undercooking, incorrect temperatures, or wrong ingredients.

      Should you whisk fudge? ›

      If you are using an electric whisk instead of hand beating your Homemade Fudge it's important to remember that this is a very easy way to overbeat Fudge. When Fudge is overbeaten it can also create a grainier texture on the tongue, so be extra careful when using electric equipment to beat your Homemade Fudge!

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