Old Fashioned Penuche Fudge Recipe - Tasty Ever After (2024)

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This old fashioned Penuche Fudge recipe is a delicious, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth candy made with just 5 ingredients! Slightly adapted from a Yankee Magazine recipe.

Penuche Fudge: a delectable, buttery, creamy, melt-in-yo-mouth, candy made with sugar, sugar, and more sugar.

Plus some milk, a little butter and pure vanilla extract.

It tastes like absolute heaven but will make you go into a three day sugar coma if you eat more than two pieces.

That is the actual Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition, no kidding.

Go look it up. I'll wait right here while eating a piece of this fudge.

What is Penuche Fudge?

Penuche fudge came into my life when I first moved to the New England area.

My first thought was that the taste is very similar to pralines, but the texture is different.

This fudge is softer, smoother, and creamier than any praline I've ever eaten.

I was curious, to say the least, about this newfound sweet of mine and had never heard of it or encountered it back home in South Florida.

To be honest, I don't remember having any kind of fudge in the Sunshine State.

I guess fudge just ain't a Florida thang.

A fudge recipe using real milk

Back to this delicious penchue fudge recipe, while searching for a recipe, I was determined to find one that didn't use canned condensed milk.

Not that I have anything against condensed milk. Well, I kind of do, if it's not an all-natural brand.

For this recipe, I wanted to use the fresh humanely raised, organic, grass-fed raw milk that I get from a family owned dairy farm down the street from me.

Doing a little internet research (thanks Google!), I found this recipe from Yankee Magazine that uses regular milk.

It's a fantastic recipe and the only thing I changed was leave out the pecans.

Nuts or no nuts in fudge

Please note, I love pecans to death, but I like penuche fudge that's made with walnuts or just left plain.

The reason why is because that's the way I've eaten it in New England and I'm partial to it.

This is the best old fashioned penuche fudge recipe and is also very easy to make.

I did notice the Yankee Magazine instructions left out how the mixture can seize up on you quicker than you can say "WTF".

Which is exactly what I said when it happened to me.

Seriously, you will be standing there having a good old time, stirring the cooled down fudge and minding your own business, when all of a sudden...

BOOM!! It will become rock hard in a matter of a nanosecond.

Keep that in mind as you are a-stirring.

Hope you all have a wonderful Merry Christmas week and make lots of Penuche Fudge!

It's wonderful to eat as you're sitting in front of a fire, sipping on hot chocolate, and waiting on Santa to show up.

Did you like thispenuche fudge recipe? Don't forget to leave a comment and share with friends and family.

RECIPE

Old Fashioned Penuche Fudge Recipe - Tasty Ever After (5)

Old Fashioned Penuche Fudge Recipe

This old fashioned penuche fudge recipe is a delicious, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth candy made with just 5 ingredients!

5 from 36 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 36 pieces

Calories: 79kcal

Author: Karrie | Tasty Ever After

Ingredients

  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 cups granulated white sugar
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

optional: 1 cup pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped

    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a 3-quart saucepan combine both sugars and the milk and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, while stirring constantly. Once it reaches a boil, stop stirring the mixture (so fudge doesn't turn gritty).

      1 cup light brown sugar, 2 cups granulated white sugar, 1 cup whole milk

    • Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking mixture,without stirring, until it reaches the soft-ball stage, 236F/113C degrees.

      **If mixture is stirred after boiling and before cooling down, large sugar crystals will form and fudge will be gritty**

    • Remove saucepan from the heat and add the butter and vanilla, but DO NOT STIR. Let the mixture cool without stirring until it reaches 110F/43C degrees. Start checking the temperature at 20 minutes and then check every 5 minutes, until it reaches 110F/43C.

      3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

    • While the mixture is cooling, butter an 8-inch-square pan. Set aside.

    • Once the mixture has cooled down, beat with a wooden spoon until the butter is fully incorporated and mixture starts to thicken. Quickly pour the fudge into the buttered pan before it becomes too solid.

      ***If using optional 1 cup chopped nuts, quickly stir them into the fudge right before pouring into the prepared pan***

    • Let cool completely before cutting into 1-inch squares. Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator.

    Recipe Notes & Tips:

    • Slightly adapted from Yankee Magazine's Pecan Penuche Fudge recipe
    • The fudge is perfectly cooked when a small amount of the mixture is dropped into a bowl of cold water, forming a ball that can be easily picked up and flattened between the fingers

    Nutrition Facts

    Old Fashioned Penuche Fudge Recipe

    Amount Per Serving

    Calories 79Calories from Fat 9

    % Daily Value*

    Fat 1g2%

    Cholesterol 3mg1%

    Sodium 4mg0%

    Potassium 17mg0%

    Carbohydrates 17g6%

    Sugar 17g19%

    Vitamin A 40IU1%

    Calcium 13mg1%

    Iron 0.1mg1%

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @tastyeverafter or tag #tastyeverafter

    Old Fashioned Penuche Fudge Recipe - Tasty Ever After (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the secret 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

    What is the difference between fudge and penuche? ›

    Penuche often has a tannish color, and is lighter than regular fudge. It is formed by the caramelization of brown sugar; thus, its flavor is said to be reminiscent of caramel. Nuts, especially pecans, are often added to penuche for texture, frequently in the making of penuche candies.

    Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

    Fudge Didn't Set

    If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

    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.

    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

    Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

    Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

    What does penuche mean in English? ›

    pə-ˈnō-chə : fudge made usually of brown sugar, butter, cream or milk, and nuts.

    Why is it called penuche fudge? ›

    Some folks say that the name originates from a Mexican Spanish word for sugar, while others argue the fudge is named after a 1920s Boston Bruins player, Mark Penuche. Penuche stands apart from its fudge relatives mainly because it is based on brown rather than white sugar, offering a unique caramel flavor.

    Why is penuche called penuche? ›

    Penuche doesn't have a clear origin or history. The name and flavor suggest it might be related to panocha, which has other names like as panela, rapadura, or piloncillo.

    Can I reboil fudge that didn't set? ›

    How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

    Why does my fudge crumble when I cut it? ›

    The ingredients for fudge are combined and cooked to 234 degrees, cooled to 110 degrees without stirring, then beaten until creamy. Candy that isn't cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard.

    Why won't my 3 ingredient condensed milk fudge set? ›

    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.

    Why did my fudge turn out like taffy? ›

    If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

    How do you keep homemade fudge from being grainy? ›

    To avoid this, ensure that you stir the fudge mixture consistently and remove any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan using a wet pastry brush.

    Why does my fudge never set? ›

    The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.

    What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

    The main difference is the texture, which is determined by two things: the size of the sugar crystals in the candy, and the concentration of the sugar. Toffee is smooth with no sugar crystals, whereas fudge has tiny crystals that give it that texture.

    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.

    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 happens if you stir fudge too early? ›

    That smooth, creamy melt-in-your-mouth fudge texture is achieved with small sugar crystals. If the mixture is stirred too soon — when it is warmer than 110 degrees — the crystals will be large and make the fudge grainy.

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