Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (2024)

This no-boil maple fudge is deliciously smooth and decadent. This recipe is so easy even children can make it.

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (1)

Maple fudge is a mouth-wateringly smooth homemade treat. Made using an easy no-boil recipe it’s so simple to make even children can help. It’s so delicious it would make the perfect gift for friends and family.

We tried making this a few different ways. A lot of maple fudges use the traditional method of fudge making where you boil it until it reaches the right temperature. I’m not a big fan of letting kids near boiling sugar and it’s also very tricky to get right so didn’t want to try that way.

We also tried adding maple syrup to our favourite no boil fudge recipe but couldn’t get the flavour to come through without adding so much that the fudge didn’t set properly. So we’ve ended up with an easy no boil chocolate fudge with maple extract. It’s smooth, with a delicious hint of maple and as you simply melt everything together and leave it to set, it really couldn’t be easier.

How can kids help to make maple fudge?

Homemade fudge using the no-boil method is really simple, so it’s a great treat for kids to help make. Once your kids have measured out and broken up the chocolate they can melt it together with the rest of the ingredients.

Melting and mixing it all together isn’t a great job for very young children but older children who can be trusted to be safe around a hot pan can help with this job.

Can I add anything to the maple fudge?

Yes. We made a lovely smooth fudge, but it can be nice to things to it to give it some texture and crunch. Nuts are an obvious choice – pecans or walnuts would go wonderfully with the maple flavour. If you want to add some, chop some up and add them to the fudge before you put it in the baking tin to set. You can also add some on top to decorate.

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (2)

Can you use a microwave?

Yes. I like melting everything together gently on a double boiler as I can see it melting but if you prefer you can use a microwave.
Simply pop everything into a microwavable bowl and heat it at 80% power in 30 second intervals. Stir it in between each microwave blast and stop when everything has melted and come together.

You can also make this fudge in a slow cooker. To find out how, check out our slow cooker fudge recipe.

How do you store fudge?

This fudge will keep for a week or two in an airtight container, which means its perfect for homemade gifts for friends and family.

If you want to keep the fudge for longer, you can freeze it for a few months. Simply wrap it well in cling film, and pop it in a freezer bag or airtight container.

Other fudge recipes

If you liked this fudge you’ll love our other fudge recipes:

Biscoff fudge
Maltesers fudge
Slow cooker fudge
Mint chocolate fudge
Easter fudge
Rocky road fudge
Chocolate chip fudge
Nutella fudge
Strawberry fudge
White chocolate fudge

Useful equipment

You might need the following baking tools/gadgets to make this maple fudge:

8 inch baking tin
Digital scales
Measuring cups
Heatproof bowl
Measuring spoons
Spatula

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Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (3)

Ingredients

250g milk chocolate
250g white chocolate
397g tin condensed milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tsp maple extract

How to make maple fudge

Line an 8 inch (20cm) square baking tin with baking or parchment paper or tin foil. We find it easiest to cut a long strip and place it in the tin one way then do the same in the other direction. Leave a bit of an overhang to help you remove the fudge from the tin later.

Melt the fudge ingredients together

Start by getting your kids to weigh both of the the chocolates out, break them up and add them to a heatproof bowl.

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (4)

Pour in the condensed milk.

Finally, get your kids to add the maple and vanilla extract. If you have young children you can hold the measuring spoon while your kids pour in the maple/vanilla or vice versa. Older children with a steadier hand may be able to do this all themselves.

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (5)

Put your bowl over a pan of simmering water (a double boiler).

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (6)

Melt everything together, stirring all the time until it comes together in a nice smooth consistency. Be careful as the bowl will get a little hot.

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (7)

Make the maple fudge

Once the fudge mixture is nice and smooth, get your kids to help pour it into your prepared baking tin. Push the fudge into the edges and corners and smooth down the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Leave the maple fudge to set.

Cover your fudge in cling film/ glad wrap and leave it to set. Once it has cooled down a bit, pop it in the fridge for a few hours to set completely.

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (8)

Once it has firmed up, cut it into small pieces with a sharp knife (this is a job for grown ups). You might need to remove the fudge from the fridge shortly before you cut it if it’s too hard.

Serve and enjoy!

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (9)

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Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (10)

Similar recipes

If you liked this recipe you’ll love our other no bake treats and our favourite easy bakes for kids.

Maple fudge | Easy recipe | No boil | Cooking with my kids (2024)

FAQs

Should you stir fudge while it's boiling? ›

You should mix the cream, butter, and sugar when making your fudge, but put down the spoon once it has reached its boiling point. Stirring while your sugar mixture is boiling will only form sugar crystals and make your fudge crunchy rather than silky smooth.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

Why is my maple fudge grainy? ›

Grainy Fudge

The sugars probably crystallized, a common mistake when making candy like fudge or caramel. If the melting sugar splashes onto the sides of the pan, it turns back into crystals and causes the fudge to seize up. To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon.

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

What happens if you boil fudge too long? ›

Too cooked

The result is hard and brittle fudge. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.) of 35% cream and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely melted. Then let it boil without stirring until the thermometer reaches 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °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

What is the key to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

Can you reboil fudge that hasn't set? ›

If it doesn't set, or if it sets very hard, you can add more milk and boil it again. However, even if it doesn't set, it'll usually be a nice frosting-like consistency, so I sometimes just make a cake to put under it.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

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.

Why is my maple fudge not setting? ›

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.

Why is my maple fudge not thickening? ›

If your fudge fails to harden in the fridge, it means that you probably didn't cook it to the right temperature. Fudge is a candy, and that means it is extremely picky about temperature - fudge must be cooked to precisely 237–239 degrees Fahrenheit so that sugar forms the desired consistency when cooled.

Does maple fudge go bad? ›

Maple Fudge stores well at room temperature however some people prefer to refrigerate it.

Should fudge be soft ball or hard ball? ›

Soft-Ball Stage

If you remove the ball from water, it will flatten like a pancake after a few moments in your hand. Fudge , pralines, and fondant are made by cooking ingredients to the soft-ball stage.

Why did my fudge turn out like taffy? ›

If the temperature is too low, the fudge will be too soft and sticky, and if it's too high, it will turn into a hard, crumbly mess. The ideal temperature to cook fudge is between 232-234 degrees F (111-112 degrees C).

What causes fudge not to harden? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What is the best way to soften fudge? ›

Put the fudge in a plastic bag add a piece of bread or a damp paper towel close the bag completely leave it overnight it will soften . For small amounts just heat at half power for ten seconds intervals until soft.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool.

What is the best utensil for stirring fudge? ›

Wooden or silicone spoon: Choose one with a long handle for stirring. Baking dish: This is the pan your fudge will cool in after it cooks. Use the size recommended in your recipe, otherwise a larger pan produces thinner pieces of fudge, and a smaller pan produces thicker pieces.

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