Description
Maple walnut fudge delivers a rich Canadian dessert experience with deep woodland flavors. Sweet maple syrup and toasted walnuts create a classic treat you’ll savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml / 16 fl oz) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (237 ml / 8 fl oz) heavy cream
- ½ cup (118 ml / 4 fl oz) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ½ cup (118 ml / 4 fl oz) pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups (170 g / 6 oz) chopped walnuts
- 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Line a square baking dish with parchment paper, extending edges for easy removal.
- Syrup Creation: Merge granulated sugar, heavy cream, butter, maple syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat gently while stirring until ingredients seamlessly combine and butter melts completely.
- Boiling Phase: Elevate temperature to medium-high, allowing the mixture to reach a vigorous boil. Track temperature with a candy thermometer until it precisely hits 240F (soft-ball stage). Avoid stirring during this critical cooking stage.
- Cooling Interval: Remove from heat and let mixture naturally cool to 110F without interference. This transformation typically requires 30-40 minutes.
- Texture Development: Energetically beat the mixture using a hand mixer until it thickens and loses its glossy sheen, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Final Incorporation: Fold in powdered sugar, finely chopped walnuts, and vanilla extract, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the mixture.
- Setting Process: Transfer fudge swiftly into prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Allow to solidify at room temperature for 2-3 hours until firm.
- Serving Preparation: Extract fudge from pan using parchment paper edges. Slice into precise, uniform squares. Store in a sealed container at room temperature for optimal freshness, maintaining quality for up to one week.
Notes
- Precision in Temperature: Use a reliable candy thermometer for accurate soft-ball stage (240F), as slight temperature variations can dramatically affect fudge texture and consistency.
- Avoid Stirring During Boiling: Resist the urge to stir while mixture reaches soft-ball stage, preventing sugar crystallization and ensuring smooth, creamy fudge.
- Beating Technique Matters: Vigorously beat the cooled mixture until it loses glossiness and thickens, which develops the signature fudge smoothness and prevents graininess.
- Storage and Freshness: Keep fudge in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain optimal texture and prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 172
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 37 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg