Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe (2024)

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Butter pecan fudge is a decadent fusion of rich buttery goodness, toasted pecans, and creamy sweetness that melts seamlessly on the palate. This easy fudge recipe perfectly marries the deep, nutty flavor of roasted pecans with the velvety texture of classic fudge. Whether you’re relishing it during the holidays, gifting it to a loved one, or simply satisfying a sweet craving, this fudge promises a luxurious treat bound to become a favorite.

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe (1)

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe

Homemade fudge offers a taste authenticity store-bought versions often lack, letting you truly appreciate the quality of ingredients and the magic of handcrafted confections. It’s an ideal way to make special occasions even more memorable or lend an ordinary day a sweetness.

Despite its gourmet feel, this butter pecan fudge is easy to prepare. Even novice bakers can achieve perfection with just a handful of ingredients and minimal equipment. The result is consistently divine, ensuring every bite offers a melt-in-the-mouth experience worth savoring.

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Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe Ingredients

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe (4)
  • Butter – I always use salted, but you can also use unsalted
  • White sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar
  • Pecans

How to Make Butter Pecan Fudge

Like most candy making, fudge is pretty simple to make. It just takes a little patience and a lot of stirring.

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe (5)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for about 5 minutes or until you can smell the pecans. You can also toast them in a frying pan over medium heat.

While the pecans toast, grease an8 x 8 baking panwith butter and set aside. You can line it with parchment if you like.

Combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar, whipping cream, and salt in a medium size pot. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil, and the bubbles do not disappear when you mix them. It will only take a few minutes to come to a full boil.

Set a time for 5 minutes and stir the mixture constantly while it boils. Once the 5 minutes are up, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in pecans.

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe (6)

Pour the fudge into your prepared pan. Allow fudge to cool until room temperature before cutting, but preferably 24 hours.

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe (7)

The fudge will be set once it is cooled to room temperature, but I like to give it 24 hours to firm up.

Yield: 1 8x8 pan of fudge

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe (8)

Butter pecan fudge is a decadent fusion of rich buttery goodness, toasted pecans, and creamy sweetness that melts seamlessly on the palate.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Dash of salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup of pecans

Instructions

  1. Pace the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 350-degree oven for about 5 minutes or until you can smell the pecans. You can also toast them in a frying pan over medium heat.
  2. Measure out powdered sugar into a medium bowl and set aside.
  3. Grease an 8 x 8 baking pan with butter and set aside.
  4. Combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar, whipping cream, and salt in a medium-sized pot. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil, and the bubbles do not disappear when you mix them. It will only take a few minutes to come to a full boil.
  5. Set a time for 5 minutes and stir the mixture constantly while it boils.
  6. Once the 5 minutes are up, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in pecans.
  7. Pour the fudge into your prepared pan. Allow fudge to cool until room temperature before cutting, but preferably 24 hours.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 295Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 79mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 34gProtein: 1g

Calculated nutritionis an estimate and may not be accurate. Please double check calculations.

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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 makes fudge hard or soft? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

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!

How do I get my fudge to harden? ›

OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed. Cross your fingers and hope that the chocolate sets firmly before the fudge starts to thaw, and later impress your friends as you present them with your soft-centred chocolates.

What is the best pan to make fudge in? ›

Secondly, the pot's material should allow for good heat distribution hence your top choice should be copper cookware or a pot with a copper core. Copper's exceptional heat conductivity offers unparalleled temperature control, an asset when working with finicky ingredients like sugar.

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 isn't my fudge creamy? ›

Fudge usually behaves this way when it's not cooked to a high enough temperature (due to oversight or a faulty candy thermometer). If your fudge is tough, hard, or grainy, then you may have made one of several mistakes: You may have overcooked it, beaten it too long, or neglected to cool it to the proper temperature.

What happens if you cook fudge too long? ›

Too cooked

The result is hard and brittle fudge. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.) of 35% cream and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely melted. Then let it boil without stirring until the thermometer reaches 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

When to stop beating fudge? ›

Once the mixture has cooled enough, use a wooden spoon or an electric hand mixer to beat the fudge until you see the very first signs of the mixture shifting from glossy to matte. Believe yourself when you think you see them! If you over-mix the fudge it will set in your pot.

Why won't my condensed milk fudge set? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What temperature do you cook fudge at? ›

There you have it – the two secrets to perfect fudge are now available to you! Fly you little perfect fudge maker, fly free! Here are the specifics: As soon as the temperature reaches 232°, remove from the flame & add butter and vanilla. Allow the fudge mixture to rest until the temperature registers between 150°-160°.

Why do you add salt to fudge? ›

Salt: While some homemade fudge recipes do not call for salt, I find it essential for balancing out the sweetness of the condensed milk.

What is a substitute for 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar? ›

This substitution is ideal because it can be used in any recipe without modifying the taste or texture of the final product. You can use baking powder to replace cream of tartar in recipes that also contain baking soda. Substitute 1.5 teaspoons (6 grams) of baking powder for 1 teaspoon (3.5 grams) of cream of tartar.

What can I use instead of cream of tartar in fudge? ›

Baking Powder

You'll need 1.5x the amount of baking powder substitute for the cream of tartar called for in the recipe. Baking powder is a great cream of tartar replacement because it doesn't impart any flavor.

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.

Should you put fudge in the fridge to set? ›

The ratio of chocolate to condensed milk needs to be just right, otherwise you might end up with fudge that is too soft or too hard. Do not freeze the fudge to set it. Best way is to just be patient for a couple hours and set it in the fridge. If your fudge hasn't set, then you've gone wrong somewhere else.

How do you describe high quality fudge? ›

High-quality fudge tastes smooth and creamy because it contains small sugar crystals. It has a deep brown color and a satiny sheen. Poor-quality fudge tastes grainy because it contains large sugar crystals.

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