Best Colleens Chocolate Fudge Recipes

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Add the butter, both types of chocolate chips, and vanilla to an extra large mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Line a 9×13'' pan with tin foil and set aside.
• In a very large heavy saucepan, combine the evaporated milk, sugar, and marshmallows. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture comes to a boil.
• Keep the heat on medium and stir constantly, being cautious to constantly scrape down the sides of the pan and along the bottom of the pan as you stir (this will help the sugar dissolve and not be grainy, and keep anything from burning to the bottom or sides of the pan.)
• Boil for about 10 minutes*--the fudge should be light golden brown in color. (If using a candy thermometer you will want to cook it to around 235-240 degrees F. Temperature will vary depending on altitude, humidity etc., but just watch the clock and make sure it boils for about 10 minutes).
• Grease your foil-lined pan with cooking spray.
• Pour the hot mixture into the bowl with the chocolate chips and use an electric mixer to gently combine everything until melted and smooth. Pour into prepared pan.
• Chill completely in the refrigerator. Once cooled you can pull up on the edges of the tinfoil to lift the entire slab of fudge out of the pan.
• Cut into small squares, or I like to cut it into a few "bricks" that I wrap in tinfoil and give as gifts. Store fudge wrapped tightly in the fridge so it doesn't dry out.

COLLEEN'S CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Coat an 8 × 8-inch pan or platter with 4 tablespoons of butter. In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir in the milk. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and reduce the heat to medium-low. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and continue to simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the mixture reaches 240°F or a drop of the mixture forms a soft ball when dropped into cold water. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in 4 tablespoons butter, the peanut butter, the pecans, and the vanilla. Pour the fudge out onto the buttered pan or platter. Let the fudge cool on the platter for 20 minutes, then cut it into bite-size pieces.
• From Trisha
• Use whole milk in this fudge to make it extra creamy.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides.
• Lightly brush the foil with butter. Lightly brush the bowl of a stand mixer or another large metal bowl with butter. Add 2 tablespoons cut-up butter, the chocolate, extract and salt; set the bowl aside.
• Heat the half-and-half in a medium pot over medium-high heat until hot but not boiling. Stir in the sugar and corn syrup and bring to a boil, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon; boil, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low; run a pastry brush dipped in warm water along the sides of the pan to dissolve any sugar crystals clinging to the pan. Clip a candy thermometer to the pan. Simmer the mixture, undisturbed, until the thermometer registers 234 degrees F to 238 degrees F, 20 to 30 minutes, watching the temperature closely as cooking times may vary. (This is the "soft-ball stage." To test for doneness, drop some of the mixture into cold water; you should be able to roll it into a soft ball.)
• Quickly pour the sugar mixture over the chocolate-butter mixture in the bowl (do not scrape the sides or bottom of the saucepan in case any sugar crystals formed). Clean the candy thermometer, then clip it to the bowl. Let the chocolate mixture cool, undisturbed, until it registers 110 degrees F to 115 degrees F, about 1 hour. (For faster cooling, set the bowl in a larger bowl of cold water.)
• Brush the paddle attachment or mixer beaters with butter. Beat the mixture on medium speed until just incorporated, about 1 minute. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat until the fudge just begins to lose its sheen and hold its shape, 5 to 15 minutes. Do not overmix or the fudge will become hard. Use a buttered rubber spatula to scrape the fudge into the prepared pan and pat into an even layer; smooth the top.
• Press one or more toppings into the fudge, if desired (about 3/4 cup total). Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour, then score the fudge into small squares with a knife. For the best texture, let sit at least 1 more hour before slicing. Wrap leftover fudge in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature, or up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Toppings: Crushed sandwich cookies, crushed graham crackers, white chocolate chips, sprinkles, peanut butter drizzle, or mini marshmallows.