Any idea how long the Vanilla Fudge will last in sterilised air tight glass jars? I was hoping to gift some as it made so much! Thank you x
FI was making the Vanilla Fudge and followed the recipe, gently boiled mixture for 30mins but it still had not reached the stage of setting into a soft ball when I dropped some mixture in cold water. Please can you help? Moonshine60
Our answer
Home-made fudge, such as Nigella's Vanilla Fudge (on the Nigella website) keeps fairly well. The main risk is that it dries out and becomes a little crumbly. Fudge does not need to be stored in a sterilised jar but one with an airtight seal is a good idea. Otherwise try to use a container with a tight-fitting lid.
In a cool place the fudge will keep for about 2 weeks but you can also keep the fudge in the fridge which will extend the life for 3 to 4 weeks. Fudge can also be frozen in airtight containers for up to 3 months. If freezing the fudge you may prefer to put pieces of baking parchment (parchment paper) in between layers of the fudge to prevent the pieces freezing together. The fudge will thaw very quickly at room temperature.
If the fudge mixture has only been gently simmered then there is a good chance that it has not reached the correct temperature for setting, even after 30 minutes. This is called soft ball stage and is reached when a sugar mixture gets to 112c/235F. So next time let the the mixture bubble away fairly briskly. If you have a batch of unset fudge then you could use it as a butterscotch sauce instead, to serve with ice cream and fruit. It will keep in the fridge for up to a month or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Typically, homemade fudge lasts about 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature, 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge, and up to 3 months in the freezer when stored in an airtight container.
Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.
If you're hoping to keep your fudge tucked away for quite some time, storing it in the freezer is a great option. Fudge properly stored in the freezer will last for 2 to 3 months. Some fudge can last up to a year in the freezer.
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).
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