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Original poster

I've made Fudge - what do I do if it won't set?

31 replies

LoveMyGirls · 19/12/2009 22:31

I made whiskey fudge at about 3pm and its still gooey, what have I done wrong? How can I put it right?

I used condensed milk, demera sugar, milk and butter.

I'm going to bed now but if anyone had any idea's on how I can fix this please post.

I've put it in the fridge, I'm not sure what else I can do with it?

OP posts:
hatwoman · 19/12/2009 22:32

if it's not set then you call it sludge, eat it by the spoonful and, if it was to be a gift, start again.

at least that's what we do in this house...

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 19/12/2009 22:34

It was going to be a gift, neither me or dh like it I've run out of ingredients now and it was really hard to make so I think I'll have to scrap it and make something else, I can't risk it going wrong again. Is there really no way to save it?

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choosyfloosy · 19/12/2009 22:36

I've had this twice in the past two weeks - thought I was so organised - ended up making biscuits instead!

I think the problem was not boiling it for long enough (I don't have a sugar thermometer).

If the situation is desperate I would put it all back in a saucepan tomorrow and try boiling it for longer.

If less desperate I would leave that lot, buy new ingredients and try again.

If not desperate at all I would make something else. Or just send ds to Hawkins Bazaar with a tenner, as I was planning to do before I got guilttripped into getting him to do homemade presents for his cousins [sigh]

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 19/12/2009 22:39

I boiled it for ages, about 25mins damn! It was going so well until it wouldn't set! I have made biscuits too (6 tubs full) and truffles, will have to just make lots and lots of truffles to go with the biscuits, was going to do large jars with a bit of everything in now it will have to be half truffles and half biscuits.

OP posts:
Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 19/12/2009 22:40

Will it really not set if I leave it in the fridge?

OP posts:
Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 19/12/2009 22:42

Maybe I could do peppermint creams, they're really easy aren't they but then will they make everything taste of pappermint?

Any other idea's please?

OP posts:
Paolosgirl · 19/12/2009 22:43

No - it really won't set if you leave it in the fridge! We eat it with a spoon when it doesn't set. Still delicious, but not really suitable for giving as a Christmas present! Can you not buy some fudge and put it in your own wrapping?

The receivers will be thrilled and impressed!

hatwoman · 19/12/2009 22:45

oh how annoying - I really don't know what the best thing to do is - found this though - looks worth trying?

Dumbledoresgirl · 19/12/2009 22:46

Could you try reboiling it? It is decades (literally) since I last made fudge and I can't remember if sludge means you have over boiled it or under boiled it, but it is worth another go at boiling isn't it?

Or go for Paologirl's naughty suggestion and buy some and pretend you made it.

Dumbledoresgirl · 19/12/2009 22:48

Do your recipients like nuts? I am going to have a go at making my own chocolate coated nuts next week. Bag of brazils and some melted chocolate and bobs your uncle (I hope).

Scootergrrrl · 20/12/2009 08:58

Put it in a jar, tie a fancy ribbon round it and rebrand it as whisky fudge sauce for ice-cream or to be spooned over puddings

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 20/12/2009 10:07

I left it in the fridge and it's gone hard so maybe the room I left it in was too warm for it to set, hopeful?

I'm going to take it out and leave at room temp and see what it's like when I try to cut it into pieces. Fingers crossed! If it goes back to sludge I will reboil then give up if that doesn't work, thanks everyone

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Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 20/12/2009 10:11

Ahhh no on closer inspection it hasn't set just is firmer than when I put it in, re-boiling it will be!!

OP posts:
Dumbledoresgirl · 20/12/2009 11:54

Let us know if that works. I am interested to know anyway.

sarah293 · 20/12/2009 11:56

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SantaIsMyLoveSlave · 20/12/2009 11:59

I would agree with Scootergrrrl - put it in a jar and label it as hot fudge sauce for ice cream.

Dumbledoresgirl · 20/12/2009 12:02

Riven, I have a no-cooking recipe too (bit at that as the first instruction is "melt butter and chocolate together in a basin over hot water" but I suppose by no cooking it means no boiling)

However, there is sugar in it - a whole pound! I would love to know of a recipe for fudge that does not contain sugar!

sarah293 · 20/12/2009 12:16

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Dumbledoresgirl · 20/12/2009 12:25

Sounds yummy (my recipe also has condensed milk, yes as well as a pound of sugar) but I can't quite see how that makes fudge. Have you tried it?

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 20/12/2009 12:37

I'll give yours a try riven, is it only 30g of butter?

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sarah293 · 20/12/2009 12:56

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sarah293 · 20/12/2009 12:58

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Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 20/12/2009 13:29

Thanks Riven, not sure if I will give it a go, I've only got 100g of pistachios and I need to keep them in jars rather than the freezer, will bear it in mind for the future though and never ever make fudge with boiling sugar ever again. It still hasn't set so I'm scapping it, thanks everyone.

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Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 20/12/2009 14:00

I should have read my star sign for today before I started to try and rescue the fudge.........

It's one of those times when you may be experiencing the results of your actions, and there is something about the experience that assures you that you've been through something similar before. This is an unlearned lesson, or a do-over or a back to the drawing board day. It's not a good sign when you keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Einstein said that we can't solve problems with the same thinking that created them.

OP posts:
gingernutlover · 20/12/2009 14:10

the main reason for fudge not setting (assuming you boiled it for at least 15-20 minutes) is that you didnt beat it for long enough before putting it into the tin.

My recipe requires about 10 minutes very feirce beating, to the point where the fudge is practucally set in the pan.

If you havnt chucked it, then try re heating it and beating the hell out of it.

I have had trouble with alcoholic fudge though this year, too much alcohol and it becomes sticky and wont set.

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