A simple, indulgent recipe featuring sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, unsalted butter, golden syrup, white chocolate, and a sprinkle of sea salt. Ideal for holiday treats or as a homemade gift.
My Salted Caramel Fudge Journey:
Growing up, my kitchen was always filled with the aroma of my grandmother’s baking. Among her many delights, her Salted Caramel Fudge was legendary. As a child, I was fascinated by how a few simple ingredients transformed into this magical confection. When I finally learned the recipe, it was more than a cooking lesson; it was like inheriting a piece of family treasure. Every batch I make takes me down memory lane, reviving those warm, laughter-filled afternoons. This fudge isn’t just a dessert; it’s a slice of my heritage, sweetened with memories and seasoned with nostalgia.
Why This Salted Caramel Fudge Stands Out:
- Simplicity: Just five main ingredients, no fancy equipment needed.
- Flavor: The perfect balance of sweet caramel with a hint of salt.
- Texture: Silky smooth with a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Versatility: Great for holidays, gifts, or a treat for yourself.
- Nostalgia: A classic recipe that evokes fond memories and creates new ones.
Diving Into the Ingredients:
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: The backbone of the fudge, providing a creamy texture and rich sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: Adds depth with its molasses notes.
- Unsalted Butter: The unsung hero, offering that unmistakable buttery flavor.
- Golden Syrup: A touch of this enhances the caramel flavor.
- White Chocolate: Its mild taste allows the caramel to shine, also helping in setting the fudge.
- Sea Salt: The perfect counterpoint to the sweetness, elevating the overall flavor profile.
Making the Salted Caramel Fudge:
- Prep: The journey begins with greasing and lining your pan. It’s not just a task; it’s preparing the stage for your fudge masterpiece.
- The Base: Gently heating the milk, sugar, butter, and syrup. It’s a delicate dance of ingredients, melting and mingling into a smooth mixture.
- The Transformation: Here, patience is key. Stirring the mixture to the perfect consistency is where the magic happens.
- The Finale: Adding white chocolate and pouring the mixture into the pan. It’s like watching liquid gold flow into its final form.
- The Touch of Salt: Sprinkling sea salt is not just a step; it’s an art. It’s about finding the balance, the perfect salty kiss on the sweet caramel.
- The Wait: Letting the fudge set is a test of patience, but oh, so worth it. The transformation from liquid to lush fudge is a marvel.
- The Grand Reveal: Cutting into squares, revealing the creamy, dreamy result of your culinary prowess.
Storing the Fudge:
Salted Caramel Fudge is more than a dessert; it’s a commitment. Keep it in the fridge, snug in an airtight container, where it stays fresh and delightful for up to two weeks. It’s a test of self-control, but remember, good things come to those who wait!
Switch It Up:
- Chocolate Twist: Swap white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate for a different flavor profile.
- Nutty Affair: Add chopped nuts for a crunchy texture.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Use dairy-free alternatives for a vegan version.
- Maple Magic: Replace golden syrup with maple syrup for a different sweetness.
- No Golden Syrup?: Use honey or corn syrup as a substitute.
This recipe is not just about making fudge; it’s about creating moments, experimenting, and enjoying the sweet side of life! 🍬
Salted Caramel Fudge
Ingredients
- 240 milliliters of sweetened condensed milk
- 180 grams of brown sugar
- 115 grams of unsalted butter coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons of golden syrup
- 200 grams of high-quality white chocolate broken into pieces
- Sea salt as needed
Instructions
- Preparation of Baking Pan: Begin by greasing an 8-inch square baking pan and lining it with either baking or parchment paper to facilitate easy removal of the fudge once set.
- Combining Base Ingredients: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, unsalted butter, and golden syrup. Place this mixture over a low heat setting, stirring continuously until the ingredients are fully combined and the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Cooking the Fudge Mixture: Increase the heat to a medium setting. Continue to stir the mixture consistently. Maintain this process until the mixture begins to simmer and noticeably thickens. This stage may take approximately 5-6 minutes. It is crucial to avoid overheating or burning the mixture during this process.
- Incorporating White Chocolate: Once the caramel mixture has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately stir in the white chocolate pieces until they are completely melted and uniformly incorporated into the mixture.
- Setting the Fudge: Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared baking pan, ensuring a smooth and even surface. Sprinkle sea salt evenly over the top of the mixture. Refrigerate the pan for 3-4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the fudge to set fully.
- Serving the Fudge: Once set, remove the fudge from the refrigerator. Using a sharp knife, cut the fudge into evenly sized squares. These squares are now ready to be served.
