how far in advance can I make fudge?

[gingernutlover]

i am going to make fudge againf or gift baskets this year, have already made the marmalade and will do shortbread nearer the time as i will still have an oven then, but dh is replacing our kitchen and I am goignt ot be with out a hob for a few weeks.

If i made the fudge and kept it wrapped and in a tin/airtight container now would it be okay for christmas (last year people ate it within a few days)

it is traditional vanilla fudge with butter, sugar, milk and vanilla essence in it.

my mum has offered her hob but that seems such a faff to have to lug everything to her house, and take dd too when it would be easier to make it here.

My recipe was different and had cream in. I made mine 2 weeks before Christmas last year and I had to pull it all out of gift baskets as it had started to go mouldy! They were in little cellophane bags though and I think the environment was too moist for them. But everything I read said they will keep for up to a month, but in my situation it was not even half a month!

In my experience fudge should be made moments before it is given away otherwise it disappears in double quick time

oh no weegle thats awful

yes i do too have the problem with it getting eaten if made in advance

maybe should keep it in the firdge then?

if you keep it in the fridge it will absorb the water from the fridge and go gooey (i think)

i'm making creamy fudge using cream cheese! Yes don't laugh, but it is very yummy.
I'm glad someone started this thread as i'm planning on making the fudge a couple of days before xmas and keeping it in the fridge.
I've even got myself some little cellophane bags and pretty ribbons. Cheap and cheerfull xmas presents this year.
My dad loves marzipan sweets so we are doing marzipan snowmen and presents.

well it would depend solely self control...surely ..it keeps for yonks non?

okaaaaaaaaaaaay so sounds like it is possible to make it now, wont put it in fridge though, maybe just in a tin

i have got the cellophane bags too but will put it in them nearer the day

yes, i use the james martin one from uk food website it took me a few practices and you have to beat it until your arm nearly falls off but it is proper fudge and melts in the mouth. It is a crumbly fudge rather than chewy but so so so so moreish

fudge recipe

Did you really have to practice a few times, gingernutlover. I've never made fudge but want to do so this year in order to save money; I was hoping to get it right the first time otherwise with the ingredients wasted on practice, I might as a well just go out and buy it readymade!

the ingredients arent [particularly expensive tbh, i use value butter ordinary full fat milk and granulated sugar

i only had to practuice a few times cos i hadnt realised quite how much you have to beat it, its basically until its nearly solif in the pan and you arm has nearly dropped off, then its ready, also dont bother trying to beat it with an electric whisk it doesnt work, the only thing that works is a wooden spoon

it tastes so much better that bought though, so it is worth the work

also i onyl realised this year that if you realise its not setting, you can always put it back in the pan and melt it down and beat it again (that would have saved me practicing again and again if i had known that before

oh i should say its worth the extra cost to buy vanilla essence at 98p rather than vanilla flavouring at about 50p (the little plastic bottles) the difference in taste is amazing, I have gone all out this year and bought a posh glass bottle for about £4 but for its size its the same value as the 98p one.

So what was the verdict on how long you could keep it before Christmas? I was going to ask this as I want to make some too. I bought Lakeland bags and everything!

Thank you very much for all your tips gingernutlover.
One more question - where did you get your cellophane packaging from?

Feelinglucky, bags

I would love to make some. WHat is the conclusion as to how long you can leave it for? We are very desperate for cash and if we can save some money by making some gifts then that would be great. Wanted to do it last year but nobody could tell me how long it would last and with baby due 23rd Dec I didn't want to do it too close to Christmas

Thanks Bumperlicious. I was hoping not to have to schelp all the way to Lakeland ... but if needs must.
Will have a look in John Lewis this week

christmas cellophane bags for fudge

in my local lakeland they also sell christmas basket bags too think they were 6 for about £2, I am going to fill little woven baskets with the fudge, some maramalade and shortbread and putting them into these bigger basket bags to create a hamper effect

oh and i am sure i have made it at least 10 days to 2 weeks in advance befoire now and it was fine, more buttery to be honest

just not sure about 1 month in advance

my oven goes tomorrow

decisions decisions