All things are made sweeter with HERSHEY’S cocoa, right? Check out this easy fudge recipe whether you enjoy unsweetened powder or HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK cocoa. Show up to the next holiday celebration or family get-together with homemade fudge in hand, and everyone will be asking you how to make fudge from scratch! Bake one pan for yourself or double the recipe and learn how to make peanut butter fudge while you’re at it. If you’re feeling extra spontaneous, add nuts, marshmallows and other sweets for a delicious spin on chocolaty classic. An easy fudge recipe should be a staple in every kitchen no matter how you enjoy it.
Line 8-or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter foil.
Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in heavy 4-quart saucepan; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil. Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 234°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water, forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water. (Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of saucepan).
Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. Do not stir. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss (about 7 minutes). Quickly spread in prepared pan; cool completely. Cut into squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.
Do not make multiples of a fudge recipe at one time. This will affect cooking and cooling time and may cause recipe failure.
Note: For best results, do not double this recipe. This is one of our most requested recipes, but also one of our most difficult. The directions must be followed exactly. Beat too little and the fudge is too soft. Beat too long and it becomes hard and sugary.
Variations:
Nutty Rich Cocoa Fudge: Beat cooked fudge as directed. Immediately stir in 1 cup chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts and spread quickly in prepared pan.
Marshmallow-Nut Cocoa Fudge: Increase cocoa to 3/4 cup. Cook fudge as directed. Add 1 cup marshmallow creme with butter and vanilla. DO NOT STIR. Cool to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat 8 minutes; stir in 1 cup chopped nuts. Pour into prepared pan. (Fudge does not set until poured into pan).
High Altitude Directions:
Increase milk to 1-2/3 cups
Use soft ball cold water test for doneness OR Test and read thermometer in boiling water, subtract difference from 212°F. Then subtract that number from 234°F. This is the soft ball temperature for your altitude and thermometer.
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutritional advice.