{"id":7996,"date":"2022-10-06T12:35:07","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T16:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bakingnook.com\/?p=7996"},"modified":"2022-10-06T12:35:30","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T16:35:30","slug":"why-is-your-fudge-so-hard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bakingnook.com\/why-is-your-fudge-so-hard\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is Your Fudge So Hard? Best Ways To Fix & Prevent It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This post contains affiliate links.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making fudge is a delicious way to show your loved ones that you care. However, sometimes it can be difficult to get the consistency just right. So why is your fudge so hard, and what are the best ways to fix and prevent it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, your fudge could get hard if it’s overcooked on high heat for a long period of time. Overcooking makes the water evaporate which will remove moisture from the fudge, making it hard. Prevent this by cooking the fudge over low heat and stirring constantly to make sure that it doesn’t burn.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I will go over some of the most common reasons for hard fudge and how to fix them. I will also give some tips on how to prevent your fudge from turning out hard in the first place. Let’s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Did My Fudge Come Out Too Hard?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fudge is a wonderful and decadent dessert. The texture should always be slightly firm where it can withstand the cut of a knife but more on the creamy, soft side as you eat it. If your fudge is super hard that a knife can’t cut through it, let’s figure out why.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n

*By the way, <\/strong>if you\u2019re looking for a good mold to make your fudge in, I\u2019ve recently come across the perfect Silicone Fudge Mold made from small rectangles.<\/a> <\/strong>This Silicone Mold<\/strong> was perfect for my fudge bites dessert! You can check out this Fudge Mold on Amazon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the main reasons your fudge might come out too hard:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Overcooked It Or Cooked It For Too Long<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The major reason for hard fudge is overcooking it or cooking it for too long. When this happens, the liquid ingredients evaporate and the fudge becomes too thick and dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prevent this, cook the fudge over low heat and stir constantly to make sure it doesn’t burn. You can also remove it from the heat before it reaches the desired consistency and let it cool down to thicken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Didn’t Add Enough Liquid Ingredients<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common reason for hard fudge is not adding enough liquid ingredients. This can happen if you use too much sugar or not enough butter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want to make sure you add ingredients as required by the recipe to avoid this problem. You can also try adding more liquid ingredients such as milk or cream if your fudge is too thick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Didn’t Stir The Fudge Correctly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An incorrect stirring process especially after taking the fudge off the heat can cause the fudge to become hard. You want to make sure you stir the fudge until it’s smooth and glossy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After removing the fudge from the heat, let it cool until you see the surface starting to set.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only then should you constantly stir until it thickens and becomes glossy. Stirring too quickly will make the fudge lose heat faster and its glossy texture and become hard.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Stir
Stir The Fudge Only After It Is Cooled Down!<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

You Used The Wrong Cooking Temperature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I have occasionally had fudge that’s come out hard because I didn’t cook it at the correct temperature. The right temperature for cooking fudge is between 234-240 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your fudge doesn’t reach this temperature, it will be too soft and won’t set properly. If it goes above this temperature, the sugars will start to caramelize and the fudge will become hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a candy thermometer to make sure you are cooking at the correct temperature.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do this, I prefer using a thermometer. I recently came across a Candy Thermometer with a Hanging Hook<\/a><\/strong> that works perfectly for this! I use this thermometer for pretty much anything I make in the kitchen that requires knowing the temperature.<\/strong> You can check out this thermometer on Amazon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Let It Cool Too Soon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Letting the fudge cool too soon can also make it hard. You want to make sure you let the fudge cool slowly so that it has time to set properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After your fudge has reached the softball stage, that’s when you want to remove it from the heat. Then, let it cool on the counter until it reaches about 109 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the cooling process is disrupted, say, by incorrect stirring, the fudge can become hard.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*By the way,<\/strong> I recently wrote an article about The Best Ways To Thicken Your Fudge When It’s Runny.<\/a><\/strong> This article breaks down everything you can do to thicken your fudge the right way.<\/strong><\/em> You can check out this article here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Fudge Be Hard Or Soft?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a whole, fudge is a crystalline candy which means that it should be soft, yet firm enough to hold its shape. You should be able to easily bite into it without it being too crumbly. If a knife can cut through it normally and the fudge still retains its shape without squishing, it’s perfect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it should not be too soft that it’s runny or mushy. If your fudge is too hard, it means that the sugar crystals haven’t formed properly and it hasn’t set correctly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can test the texture by cutting with a knife. If there is a lot of resistance or pieces break off as you cut then your fudge is too hard. If you start cutting the fudge and it starts to squish and ooze on the sides, then it is too soft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*By the way,<\/strong> I recently wrote an article about Why Your Fudge Became So Soft.<\/a><\/strong> This article breaks down all the reasons why your fudge is soft as well as how to fix and prevent it from happening again.<\/em><\/strong> You can check out this article here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Fix Hard Fudge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule, hard fudge can be fixed by recooking it. Put the fudge into a pot with a little bit of water over low heat. Cook it until it reaches the soft-ball stage and then remove it from the heat. The water will rehydrate the dry, hard fudge and allow it to soften.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a video I found about the best way to fix hard fudge:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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