Fudge Comes Out Grainy

by Vicki
(Bristol Tn)

I have a really good fudge recipe but sometimes the fudge comes out grainy.


What am I doing wrong? Does it have something to do with how fast or how long I boil it?

Here's the fudge recipe that I am using...

  • 2 sticks butter
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 5 oz evaporated milk

  1. I bring milk and butter to a small boil and add sugar gradually.

  2. I bring to the boil again and reduce heat, cooking and stirring constantly for 7 min.

  3. I then pour it over 1 bag choc chips, add a small jar marshmallow cream and mix.


I think I am messing up with the boiling. Maybe I bring it to a boil too fast or too hard or cook it too long or not long enough.


The first two batches I did turned out perfectly. The next was grainy. I want to prevent future occurrences of the fudge comes out grainy result.






Hi Vicki,

I think you are right about the cause of your grainy fudge. It sounds like the temperature may have gotten too high when you were boiling your fudge.


You do want to bring the sugar mixture to the boil slowly and don't let it get too hot. Generally speaking, you don't want it to be more than about 235°F. If you have a candy thermometer, that will help you monitor the temperature.


If you don't have a thermometer, look at the candy syrup stages and follow the instructions for soft ball stage using the cold water method.


I make a fudge very similar to the one you are making, except I use the microwave. It's so quick and easy. Check out this Fantasy Fudge Recipe and see if you might want to give it a try.


By the way, when your fudge comes out grainy, you can fix it by putting it back in the pot and adding a little evaporated milk to it and bringing it slowly back to the soft ball stage.


Once you reach that point, remove from heat and set the pot over a bowl of cold water to reduce the heat while you are stirring until the desired consistency.


Hope that helps! Fudge is just too good to waste!

Blessings,
Angie



Comments for Fudge Comes Out Grainy

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 22, 2017
Angie you’re amazing NEW
by: Sandy

I make my dad fudge every year for his birthday. Two years ago my first batch ever came out grainy. Then this year 2 batches in a row. I tried the microwave fudge and it took half the time. But the answer to grainy fudge is stirring in the chocolate chips too quickly. They should add in all directions for fudge to slowly stir in chocolate. But I will never make fudge on the stove again. Angie’s microwave recipe is amazing!

Dec 20, 2017
Microwave temps matter. .. NEW
by: Angie

Hi Mary. I definitely noticed that the more powerful microwave made a difference in my fudge results. I can't remember the specific changes but I kept watch and stopped to stir more frequently when the mixture threatened to boil over.

Dec 20, 2017
microwave/marshmellow fudge grainy NEW
by: Mary P

I have not used this recipe for several years but always had good results--smooth & creamy. Made some today and it is grainy-yuk I am wondering if it could be because I have a higher power microwave now and I'm hoping someone can solve this mystery as it makes a big batch and is not very good. I'm surprised at the comments about folks that like their fudge grainy.

Dec 18, 2017
how hot is soft ball NEW
by: billie

how hotis soft ball to redo grainey fudge

Dec 20, 2016
grainy fudge- How much milk? NEW
by: Karen

I did mine yesterday and need to recook it. How much evaporated milk do you add? I may try a bouble boiler of sorts (pot in pot) so it does not burn.

kAREN

Dec 19, 2016
Wait till tomorrow to fix grainy fudge? NEW
by: Angie from chocolate-candy-mall.com

Suzi, you should be able to fix it tomorrow. Some people have reported success in doing so a day later. Let us know if it works out for you.

Dec 19, 2016
Can I fix it the next day? NEW
by: Suzi

I made some fantasy fudge and it's grainy... not running back to the store tonight will it work if I try it tomorrow?

Dec 19, 2016
Christmas Fudge NEW
by: Nancy Mabry

Thank you Angie, My fudge came out grainy, to much was going on while I was cooking and I didn't cook long enough. I made 2 large batches to share at work. You saved the day. I did what you said and now I have smooth wonderful fudge!

Dec 21, 2015
Microwave fantasy fudge NEW
by: Janice

So do you have any problems with fudge coming out grainy using the microwave method. I have trouble with fudge turning out grainy by the stove top method. Haven't tried the microwave method.

Dec 16, 2014
Thank you NEW
by: Birgit

Explaining that when Fudge gets too hot it will be grainy and offering the fix of putting it back in the pan with a bit of evaporated milk, then reheat to soft ball temp saved my fudge! Fudge looks great!

Jun 19, 2014
Want to Make Grainy Fudge for Brother's Birthday NEW
by: Judy Coyle

Who can help me make a small batch of grainy (YES!) fudge for my beloved brother's birthday gift? He LIKES grainy fudge. I've never made fudge but think it cannot be too difficult with a good recipe.


Jan 03, 2014
Grainy Fudge NEW
by:

Personally, I like the grainy fudge. Reminds me of how it was when I was young. Creamy fudge is not fudge to me. To each his/her own!

Mar 24, 2013
Try Alcohol NEW
by: Jan

I heated it back up and added milk, baileys irish cream, and kalhua. Think I fixed it. Scraped the pan with a wooden spoon and ate that. Mmmmmmmmm!

Dec 21, 2011
Salvaging Grainy Fudge NEW
by: Angie

Hi DM,

I've always had trouble with that Fantasy Fudge recipe when I tried doubling it. I've given up and only do one batch at a time! :)


You can try salvaging the fudge by slowly reheating it and adding some evaporated milk as described above, but some people have reported that when you try that method with fudge recipes that have marshmallow already added, you tend to end up with the mixture burning on the bottom of the pan.


I guess it's up to you whether or not you want to try to salvage this mixture as fudge or use it for something else.


Generally speaking, the "grainy" effect is because the sugar crystals re-formed and once that happens, it's a chain reaction throughout the fudge. Ugh! One way to try to prevent crystallization is to use a pastry brush dipped in hot water and brush down the sides of the pan from time to time while boiling.


Also, when you are stirring, try to NOT scrape the sides of the pan because that's where the sugar crystals tend to form.


Finally, when you pour it out into your tray, don't scrape the sides of the pan then either. I know, I know, you hate to waste that fudge. I'm the same way. I simply scrape that excess bit stuck to the pan into a separate little bowl for me to "sample" right then and not mix it with the rest.


If you want to make it sweeter, you could try stirring in some milk chocolate chips after you've removed the reheated mixture from the stove.


Hope that helps. Let us know if you can salvage this mix.

Dec 21, 2011
grainy fudge NEW
by: DM

I made fudge last night for the first time. It has already set but is very grainy and taste like a dark chocolate (not sweet enough). i used the recipe on back of Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow creme (Fantasy Fudge). I doubled the recipe (now i realize not a good thing to do).
Here is the recipe:

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup (1-12 sticks) butter
1 can (5 oz) evaporated milk
1-12 pkg (12 square Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped (oops, used unsweetened)
1 jar (7oz) Jet Puffed Marshmallow Creme
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp vanilla
Line 9-inch square pan with foil. Bring sugar, butter and milk to full rolling boil in large saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 4 min. or until 234 degrees on candy thermometer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour into pan. Cool.

Well, i didn't stir as much as i should have and when i took off heat i stirred too much. Also didn't have a candy thermometer and just realized i used unsweetened chocolate.
Fudge is already set. Is there anything I can do now to fix it besides throwing it out? :-(



Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Your Favorite Fudge .

Search our Site:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter,
Charmingly Chocolate

E-mail Address

First Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it only to send you Charmingly Chocolate.


Some of our delicious Site Sponsors




chocolate club





Chocolate Candy Mall Thank You