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

What is the secret to non-grainy fudge? ›

A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

Can I use maple syrup instead of corn syrup in fudge? ›

Maple Syrup

However, if you are looking for something similar that will impart sweetness and a depth of maple flavor, this is a great alternative you most likely already have on hand. Use a 1:1 swap for corn syrup in baked goods, but avoid using this swap for candy making.

What is maple fudge made of? ›

Bring maple syrup, heavy cream, and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue to boil, without stirring, until mixture starts to bubble and registers 240 degrees F (166 degrees C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Add butter and salt but do not mix.

How do you make fudge creamy and not grainy? ›

Grainy Fudge

To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon. You can use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar that sticks to the sides of the pot.

What makes fudge moist? ›

If there is too much evaporation, when the cooking time is too long, there will not be enough water left in the fudge and it will be too hard. Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft.

Should I stir fudge while 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.

Why is my maple fudge grainy? ›

Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to a boil, do not stir it. If you do, the sugar can crystallize, giving your fudge a gritty texture. As you beat the fudge, pay attention to color and texture. Once the fudge loses its sheen and thickens, put down your 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.

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.

Why should I use maple syrup instead of sugar? ›

It's less processed than regular table sugars and therefore contains more nutrients like vitamins, minerals & antioxidants which help improve your health. Maple Syrup also scores lower on the glycemic index so it's an excellent choice if you want to maintain stable blood glucose levels while enjoying delicious treats!

Does maple fudge go bad? ›

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

Is maple fudge good? ›

A true staple in Québec, Maple Fudge (aka sucre à la crème) is a smooth, creamy and sinfully decadent maple treat that tastes like pure heaven. Another unavoidable classic in this household on Christmas Day would be Maple Fudge, or what we Québécois refer to as “Sucre à la Crème“.

What can I use instead of maple syrup in fudge? ›

There are so many substitutes for maple syrup that can replicate the taste and texture of the real thing; honey, molasses, simple syrup, brown sugar syrup, brown rice syrup, corn syrup, golden syrup, coconut nectar, agave nectar, white sugar, brown sugar, or keto syrup alternatives.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

What would cause fudge not to harden? ›

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.

What happens if you don't beat fudge long enough? ›

However, if you don't beat it at all, the crystals won't form properly, so your fudge won't set. If you forget to beat the fudge, try heating it back up over low heat, then beat it once it's slightly softened. If you beat the fudge too soon, the crystals will be too large, and the fudge will be grainy.

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