Smooth Golden Fudge Food

SMOOTH GOLDEN FUDGE

Steps:

• Heat the milk, water, syrup, glucose, salt, margarine and sugar in a heavy based pan, untit the sugar has dissolved, and the margarine has melted. Stir constantly.
• Bring to the boil, and boil rapidly. Stir constantly, otherwise it will catch on the bottom of the pan. Boil until the sugar thermometer reads 115oC (240oF), which is the soft ball stage.
• Remove from heat, and add vanilla, but do not stir in (it should bubble up). Leave the pan on a side to cool to 45oC. This could take quite a while (45 minutes aprox.).
• Beat until thick, and it looses its gloss. Scrape into a prepared tin to cool. (i used an 11inx7in roasting tin for this). Leave in the fridge for 3 hours, or until firm.
• Dip in melted chocolate and roll in chopped nuts for an added touch.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE AND GOLDEN LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together 3 times and set aside.
• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, cream the butter until smooth and fluffy. Add the sugar and mix until blended. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing after each addition until blended. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix.
• With the mixer running at low speed, and working in alternating batches, add the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter mixture, mixing just to combine after each addition. Mix until just smooth. Pour into 2 cake pans. Bake until risen, golden, and firm to the touch, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pans.
• For the frosting: In a mixer with a whip attachment, cream the butter well. Add the confectioners' sugar gradually. Add the melted chocolate, then the vanilla. Add the milk by spoonfuls until you have reached a fudgy yet spreadable consistency.
• Once the cakes have cooled, place 1 layer on a serving platter and cover the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top of that but bottom-side up, to create a nice flat top. Press down to secure the layer. Frost the top and sides using a swirling motion. Or if you want it to look more professional, do a crumb layer of frosting, chill, then do a topcoat.

CARAMEL FUDGE

Steps:

• Melt butter in pan.
• Add golden syrup, sweetened condensed milk and brown sugar.
• Stir over low heat until boiling, reduce heat, simmer 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from the heat, add white chocolate melts, or any other chocolate you desire, mix until smooth.
• Pour into foil lined 7cm x 25cm bar pan, refrigerate until set.
• Cut into slices and squares.

SAINTLY SMOOTH FUDGE

Steps:

• Combine the chocolates and coconut oil in a small bowl and melt gently in the microwave. Set aside.
• In a food processor, puree the beans with the agave nectar and stevia until very smooth.
• Add the chocolate mixture and cocoa and puree inches.
• Add the SunButter or Nutella and process in until completely smooth.
• Line an 8x5" loaf pan with clingwrap and press the fudge in evenly. Sprinkle with sea salt.
• Chill 1 hour, uncovered, then press a layer of plastic ontop of the fudge surface and keep in the fridge.
• This tastes better if you chill it overnight and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.

VANILLA FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 20 x 20cm cake tin with baking parchment. Tip the sugar, cream, butter and glucose syrup into a medium to large saucepan. Heat to dissolve the sugar and melt the butter, stirring now and again.
• Once dissolved, put a sugar thermometer in the pan, making sure the end is completely covered by the syrup - if not, transfer the mixture to a smaller pan (with enough space for the syrup to bubble up). Increase the heat and bring the syrup to a steady boil. Keep bubbling, stirring occasionally to stop the sugar from catching, until the mixture reaches 116C - this is known as the soft ball stage.
• Remove the pan from the heat and leave to sit, undisturbed, for 5 mins, until the temperature drops to 110C. Stir in the vanilla and a good pinch of salt.
• Keep the sugar thermometer in the pan and begin beating the mixture with a wooden spoon, quite vigorously, until the temperature cools to about 60C. By this time the fudge will be really thick and will have lost it glossy shine. Remove the thermometer and continue beating for a few mins more. This process is very important when making fudge, as it creates small sugar crystals, which give the fudge its lovely smooth and creamy texture (see 'fudge know-how', below).
• Before it sets completely, quickly pour the fudge into your prepared tin and smooth over the surface. Leave to cool at room temperature overnight - don't put the fudge in the fridge as it will become sticky and won't set properly. Cut into bite-sized pieces and pop in a box to give as a present. Will keep, in a sealed container, for up to 2 months.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE AND GOLDEN LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Butter and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together 3 times and set aside.
• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, cream the butter until smooth and fluffy.
• Add the sugar and mix until blended.
• Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing after each addition until blended.
• Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix.
• With the mixer running at low speed, and working in alternating batches, add the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter mixture, mixing just to combine after each addition.
• Mix until just smooth.
• Pour into 2 cake pans.
• Bake until risen, golden, and firm to the touch, about 25 to 30 minutes.
• Let cool in the pans.
• For the frosting: In a mixer with a whip attachment, cream the butter well.
• Add the confectioners' sugar gradually.
• Add the melted chocolate, then the vanilla.
• Add the milk by spoonfuls until you have reached a fudgy yet spreadable consistency.
• Once the cakes have cooled, place 1 layer on a serving platter and cover the top with frosting.
• Place the second layer on top of that but bottom-side up, to create a nice flat top.
• Press down to secure the layer.
• Frost the top and sides using a swirling motion.
• Or if you want it to look more professional, do a crumb layer of frosting, chill, then do a topcoat.

PEANUT BUTTER 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, peanut butter 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. Scatter the chopped peanuts. 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.

SLOW COOKER CLOTTED CREAM FUDGE

Steps:

• Put the caster sugar, golden syrup, clotted cream, vanilla and a pinch of sea salt flakes in a slow cooker. Stir until well-mixed and smooth. Cook on high for 4-5 hrs, stirring every 30 mins, or until it's a golden caramel colour and looks glossy. If your slow cooker works with the lid off, cook uncovered to speed up cooking. It will take about 5 hrs if using a multi-function cooker with a locked lid that requires you to keep opening and stirring it.
• Oil a 20cm baking tin and line with baking parchment. Remove the bowl of the slow cooker carefully and set on a heatproof mat or chopping board. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula vigorously for 10-15 mins to cool the fudge and to break up any large sugar crystals. The fudge will thicken as it cools and start to look matte. Tip into the tin and use a spatula to smooth the surface. Sprinkle with a little more salt and chill until set, about 1 hr. Cut into chunks. Will keep for five days in an airtight container.

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.