Caramel Rum Fudge Food

CARAMEL FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large saucepan place the condensed milk, sugar, butter, golden syrup/corn syrup and salt. Heat gently on low heat, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Continue stirring the fudge constantly on low or low-medium heat until it's simmering and has thickened and coats the back of a spatula/spoon - this will take about 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on the stove at all times and adjust the heat, if necessary, so the mixture won't burn.
• Once the fudge has thickened, remove it from the heat. From this point on, work as quickly as possible, because the mixture will harden pretty quickly. Add the white chocolate and whisk until all the chocolate has melted.
• Transfer the fudge mixture into prepared pan. Allow the fudge to cool slightly at room temperature, then cover the pan and leave it to set in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Once the fudge has set, cut it up in pieces (I recommend small pieces because the fudge is very rich) and serve.
• Fudge will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Serve it cold or at room temperature (my preference).

EASY CARAMEL FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang around the edges.
• Chop the chocolate into very small pieces and set aside.
• Add the butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk and golden syrup/corn syrup to a medium saucepan over low heat.
• With the burner on low heat, melt everything together while gently stirring.
• After everything is melted, keep the burner on low heat and bring to a very low boil for 5 minutes while gently stirring. You should see a few small bubbles on the top.
• Once you no longer see streaks of melted butter (even after you stop stirring), remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the chopped white chocolate until melted and smooth.
• Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, spread the top smooth and place in the fridge to set for about 4 hours.
• When firm, lift the fudge out of the pan using the overhang of the parchment paper and place on a cutting board. Slice with a sharp knife.

RUM CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and hot water in a heavy saucepan, and cook over high heat until the sugar has dissolved, about 1 minute. Continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally but never stirring the sugar mixture, until the mixture thickens and turns a deep amber color, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately add the heavy cream (be careful -- the mixture will splatter). Return the pan to the heat and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the sauce is thick and creamy, stirring occasionally to help incorporate the cream, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rum, vanilla, and butter. Serve warm.

SALTED CARAMEL FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 20 x 20cm cake tin with baking parchment. Tip the sugar, cream, butter and glucose syrup into a large pan. Warm over a low heat to dissolve the sugar and melt the butter, stirring occasionally.
• When the sugar has dissolved, put a sugar thermometer in the mixture, making sure the end is completely covered by the syrup - if it's not, transfer the mixture to a smaller pan that's still large enough for the syrup to bubble. Turn up the heat to medium-high and bring the syrup to the boil, stirring occasionally to stop it catching. When the thermometer reaches 116C - or 'soft ball' stage, remove the pan from the heat.
• Leave the mixture to stand, undisturbed, for 5 mins, until the temperature drops to 110C, then stir in the vanilla bean paste and a good pinch of salt.
• Remove the thermometer, then vigorously beat the mixture with a wooden spoon, checking the temperature every minute or so until it drops again to about 60C. By this time, the mixture will be really thick and have lost its glossy shine. Take the thermometer out and continue beating the mixture for a few more minutes. This part is crucial as it helps create small sugar crystals that give the fudge its smooth, creamy texture.
• Quickly pour the fudge mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the surface using a spatula. Dot the caramel over the top, and swirl it through the fudge using a skewer. Sprinkle with 1 tsp sea salt, then leave to cool overnight at room temperature - don't put it in the fridge, as it will become sticky and won't set properly. Cut into 36 bite-sized pieces. Will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two months.

RUM & RAISIN FUDGE

Steps:

• Soak the raisins in the rum the day before making the fudge.
• Line a 20 x 20cm cake tin with baking parchment. Tip the sugar, cream, butter and glucose syrup into a large pan. Warm over a low heat to dissolve the sugar and melt the butter, stirring occasionally.
• When the sugar has dissolved, put a sugar thermometer in the mixture, making sure the end is completely covered by the syrup - if it's not, transfer the mixture to a smaller pan that's still large enough for the syrup to bubble. Turn up the heat to medium-high and bring the syrup to the boil, stirring occasionally to stop it catching. When the thermometer reaches 116C - or 'soft ball' stage, remove the pan from the heat.
• Leave the mixture to stand, undisturbed, for 5 mins, until the temperature drops to 110C, then stir in the vanilla bean paste, the plumped-up raisins and a good pinch of salt.
• Remove the thermometer, then vigorously beat the mixture with a wooden spoon, checking the temperature every minute or so until it drops again to about 60C. By this time, the mixture will be really thick and have lost its glossy shine. Take the thermometer out and continue beating the mixture for a few more minutes. This part is crucial as it helps create small sugar crystals that give the fudge its smooth, creamy texture.
• Quickly pour the fudge mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the surface using a spatula. Leave to cool overnight at room temperature - don't put it in the fridge, as it will become sticky and won't set properly. Cut into 36 bite-sized pieces. Will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two months.

SOFT RUM CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line an 8-in. square pan with foil and grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside. In a small bowl, cream remaining butter until light and fluffy. Beat in cream until smooth; set aside. , In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until a candy thermometer reads 244° (firm-ball stage). Gradually add cream mixture. Continue cooking until a candy thermometer reads 242°. Remove from the heat; stir in extract. , Pour into prepared pan (do not scrape sides of saucepan). Cool completely. Invert pan onto cutting board; remove foil. Cut candy into squares. Wrap individually in cellophane, waxed paper or foil; twist ends. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

CARAMEL-RUM SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan.
• Stir in cream, water and corn syrup.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly (mixture may looked curdled. Not to worry).
• Cook and stir for 2 minutes more.
• Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla and rum (have a shot for yourself).
• Let mixture stand at room temperature until cooled.
• Store in refrigerator for up to 2 months.