How To Avoid Simple Mistakes When Making Chocolate Fudge

By Carol Powell


While no one knows exactly where this popular dessert item originally came from, there is a popular story in the lore of candy makers. It is said that in Baltimore, a candy maker was attempting to prepare a batch of French caramels. However, he made a mistake and what came out was a confectionery that would one day become chocolate fudge like people are familiar with today.

In 1889, a letter was sent to a student at a women's college in Maryland containing the first known recipe and evidence of this confectionery. The recipient got the recipe from a relative of a friend, and she went on to make many huge batches of it for a senior auction. From there, more and more people started making their own recipes.

It can save a great deal of hassle and stress for the one in the kitchen when all of the ingredients, supplies, and cooking area are prepped and ready to go before embarking on a recipe. Certain supplies are ideal such as a heavy saucepan because it will help prevent scorching. A candy thermometer is also very useful, and a wooden spoon, baking dish, and knife are essential.

One of the most important rules for anyone attempting to make their own delicious treats at home is to always follow the directions listed in the recipe they are using. The science behind making this candy requires exact temperatures to be reached and for ingredients to be added at the right time in the right order. This is important for the sugar crystals to react the right way.

People who are quite experienced in the art and science of making candy know that taking the time to properly oil the saucepan is critical for a batch of any of the numerous types of fudges. The reason why this is so important is because it helps to prevent the whole mixture from boiling over. It also helps to stop the sugar crystals from sticking.

There are times to stir when making this dessert, and there are times when it is very important not to stir. Stirring is one of the first steps once the ingredients have been assembled in the pan so that the sugar can have a chance to dissolve, and it is important to stir so that it won't curdle. However, in the soft-ball stage of about 237 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring can cause a gritty texture due to large sugar crystals.

Corn syrup, while not always ideal, is a great recipe for beginners to use because it has a way of helping the sugar crystals behave the right way so the end product comes out with a smooth texture. Marshmallows, as well as marshmallow creme, are also good for this. To prevent curdling, it is a good idea to use cream or condensed milk.

It is recommended that candy thermometers are used because they are usually marked with the proper temperatures, and precision is very important. However, if a thermometer can't be used, an alternative is to put a small ball of the mixture into cold water. If the ball can be squished easily, then the mixture should be taken off the heat and be cooled immediately.




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