Easy Cocoa Fudge Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan. Set aside.
• Combine sugar, cocoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Stir to blend, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer. Do not stir again.
• Place candy thermometer in pan and cook until temperature reaches 238 degrees F(114 degrees C). If you are not using a thermometer, then cook until a drop of this mixture in a cup of cold water forms a soft ball. Feel the ball with your fingers to make sure it is the right consistency. It should flatten when pressed between your fingers.
• Remove from heat. Add butter or margarine and vanilla extract. Beat with a wooden spoon until the fudge loses its sheen. Do not under beat.
• Pour into prepared pan and let cool. Cut into about 60 squares.

OLD FASHIONED CREAMY COCOA FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8"x8" pan** (See Notes) with parchment or non-stick foil with a piece that is long enough to line the bottom and come up and over two opposite sides of the pan. (use these as "handles" to get the cooled fudge out of the pan). Spray with pan spray. You can also spray or butter the pan well, but using parchment or non-stick foil will make it easier to get the fudge out of the pan.
• Place the sugar, cocoa powder, corn syrup, salt and milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan that is much larger than you think you need. 3 quart size will work just fine.
• Stir well, and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. You can stir it and scrape the sides of the pan until it starts to boil.
• Allow the mixture to boil until it reaches 234F. This is just under the soft ball stage, but this is the correct temperature for making cocoa fudge. (If you're making chocolate fudge, cook to 238F, which is the soft ball stage.)
• Move the pan off the burner and drop in the butter and the vanilla. Don't stir them in (if you stir too soon, you'll end up with grainy fudge).
• Let the mixture cool to 110F. The pan will feel warm but by no means hot. If you're using a "leave-in" candy thermometer, there will be no question. If you don't have one, occasionally check the temperature with your instant read thermometer (that's what I do).
• Once the candy has cooled to the correct temperature, begin stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon. You can also scoop up a bunch of the warm candy and let it pour back into the pot. This will make you feel fancy, and it will help to bring the temperature of the candy down more quickly. Keep stirring and stirring until the candy is just starting to lose its gloss and thicken up.
• Dump in the pecans if using, and stir them in quickly.
• Scrape the now-quite-thick fudge into the pan and moosh it into the corners with a spatula. I sprinkled some flaky sea salt on top of mine. You can too if you want. Or not.
• Allow the candy to set up for at least an hour before slicing with a sharp knife.
• Store at room temperature in a tightly-sealed container for 3-4 days. But it will be gone before then.

2 MINUTE MICROWAVE FUDGE

Steps:

• Sift powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt into a 1 quart microwave safe bowl.
• Stir in milk and vanilla.
• Mix well.
• Place butter on top.
• Microwave on high, 2 minutes.
• Beat with wooden spoon until smooth.
• Stir in nuts (OPTIONAL).
• Spread in 8 X 8 X 2 inch baking pan.
• Chill about 1 hour or until firm.
• Cut into 36 pieces.

EASY KETO FUDGE RECIPE WITH COCOA POWDER & SEA SALT

Steps:

• Line a 28 oz rectangular glass container with parchment paper, so that the parchment hangs out over the sides.
• Using a hand mixer at LOW speed, beat the coconut oil and sweetener together, just until fluffy and combined.
• Beat in the cocoa powder, vanilla and sea salt to taste. Adjust sweetener to taste. Do not overmix.
• Transfer the mixture to the lined container. Smooth the top with a spatula or spoon.
• Refrigerate the keto fudge for about 45-60 minutes, until solid.
• Sprinkle the top of the fudge with sea salt flakes and press gently.
• Run a knife along the edge and take out using the edges of the parchment paper. Slice carefully - see post above for slicing tips.
• Keep the fudge refrigerated and bring to room temperature right before serving. You can also freeze it - see tips above. Do not leave at room temperature for prolonged periods, as it will melt easily.

EASY FUDGY BROWNIES FROM SCRATCH (OUR FAVORITE)

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 325 degrees F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch x 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on opposite sides to help remove the baked brownies from the pan.
• Prepare a double-boiler by filling a medium saucepan with water about 2 inches deep. Heat the water until barely simmering. See the notes section below for tips on making these without a double-boiler and instead using a microwave or making them directly in a saucepan.
• Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium heat-safe bowl. Rest the bowl over the simmering water. If the bottom of the bowl touches the water, remove a little water from the saucepan.
• Stir the mixture occasionally until the butter has melted and the mixture is quite warm. Don't worry if it looks gritty; it will become smooth once you add the eggs and flour.
• Remove the bowl from the saucepan, and set aside for 5 minutes or until it is only warm, not hot.
• Stir in the vanilla.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one.
• When the batter looks thick and well blended, add the flour. Use a spoon to beat the flour into the batter until it is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. We use a wooden spoon or spatula and beat for 40 to 50 strokes (see video for reference).
• Stir in nuts if using.
• Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
• Bake the brownies until the edges look dry and the middle looks slightly underbaked; 20 to 30 minutes. You can test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. The brownies are finished baking if it comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
• Cool completely before removing from the pan - this step is essential and helps the brownies set. Cut into 16 squares.

EASY COCOA FUDGE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan heat together butter and water just until boiling, stirring to melt butter.
• Sift together powdered sugar, dry milk powder, coco powder and salt into a large bowl.
• Add melted butter mixture.
• Stir until well blended.
• Stir in chopped nuts.
• Turn into a buttered 8x8x2 inch pan.
• Chill several hours.
• Cut into squares.

EASY ONE BOWL FUDGY COCOA BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 square pan or line with foil and set aside.
• In a medium bowl combine melted butter and cocoa and sugar stir until fully dissolved.
• Add eggs one at a time then vanilla and stir until well combined.
• Stir in flour and salt until the flour is fully combine. Be careful not to overmix mix.
• (optional) fold in 1 cup of nuts, raisins, chocolate chips or anything you desire.
• Spread in pan and bake for approximately 20-22 minutes or until the center is slightly set. Be careful not to over-bake!
• Cool completely then cut into 9 large squares or 16 small squares ( I cut mine into 16)