Description
Smooth, creamy butter pecan delight fudge combines Southern comfort with rich dessert magic. Nutty pecans and silky chocolate create an irresistible treat that melts deliciously on your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (pure)
Instructions
- Butter Preparation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, creating a golden foundation for the fudge.
- Sugar Fusion: Combine heavy whipping cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon with melted butter. Whisk until achieving a silky, homogeneous blend.
- Boiling Point: Intensify heat and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, tracking temperature until it precisely hits 235°F (soft-ball stage).
- Flavor Infusion: Remove from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the mixture with minimal stirring.
- Cooling and Setting: Allow the fudge base to cool naturally to 105°F, approximately 30 minutes, which is crucial for developing the perfect fudge texture.
- Transformation Stage: Energetically beat the mixture, observing its gradual thickening and metamorphosis.
- Texture Development: Fold powdered sugar into the fudge with smooth, calculated movements, creating a dense, creamy consistency.
- Nutty Incorporation: Integrate toasted, chopped pecans throughout the mixture, ensuring even distribution of the crunchy elements.
- Shaping and Chilling: Mold the fudge onto parchment paper, compressing it into a uniform log, then refrigerate for 12 hours to solidify into a decadent confection.
Notes
- Precision Temperature Matters: Using a candy thermometer ensures hitting the exact 235°F soft-ball stage, which determines fudge’s perfect texture and consistency.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allowing the mixture to naturally cool to 105°F prevents sugar crystallization and guarantees a smooth, creamy fudge without graininess.
- Fold, Don’t Overmix: Gentle incorporation of powdered sugar and pecans maintains the fudge’s delicate structure, preventing a tough or dense final product.
- Patience Pays Off: Refrigerating for the full 12 hours enables complete setting and allows flavors to meld, resulting in a more developed and rich taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 359
- Sugar: 41 g
- Sodium: 68 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 61 mg