Maple Pecan Fudge | The BEST Maple Fudge Recipe! (2024)

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Are you a fudge lover? This delicious 5-ingredient Maple Pecan Fudge recipe will be right up your alley! Loaded with rich maple flavor and tender, brown sugar pecans, this maple fudge recipe is perfect for holiday candy making!

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Maple Pecan Fudge | The BEST Maple Fudge Recipe! (1)

What’s your favorite holiday candy? Hands down, without question, mine is fudge! I absolutely love all of the flavor combinations, along with the crunchy textures like pecans, walnuts and almonds in every little bite. This rich, decadent maple fudge recipe is definitely the perfect match for the brown sugar pecans that are mixed into the fudge and garnished on top of every little square.

This Maple Pecan Fudge was actually inspired by my maple frosting that goes with my Banana Sheet Cake recipe. While making the frosting for the cake I came to the conclusion that that frosting, along with its delicious maple flavors must be made into a fudge!

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Here’s the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious maple fudge recipe:

  • Butter
  • Brown Sugar (light or dark)
  • Heavy Cream
  • Maple Extract
  • Pecan Halves

(For exact amounts, be sure to reference the recipe below.)

Start by Toasting the Brown Sugar Pecans:

This fudge recipe is made in a saucepan, but don’t let that deter you – it’s simple to make, and comes together in moments. You’ll actually want to start this maple fudge recipe by first preparing those delicious brown sugar pecans. These are made by melting together butter and brown sugar, and lightly coating and toasting directly in a skillet. Once toasted, place on a piece of parchment or waxed paper to cool to room temperature.

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How to make this maple fudge recipe:

While the pecans are cooling, you can then prepare the fudge. In a medium saucepan, melt together the butter, brown sugar and cream and bring to a simmer.

Once cooled you’ll then add the maple extract. This is where the maple fudge gets its delicious, buttery flavor! Next, you’ll chop up some of the pecans (reserving about half for the top of the fudge), stirring into the fudge mixture.

Then, gradually stir in one cup of powdered sugar at a time. The fudge will begin to get rather thick and stiff. It’s ready to go into the pan.

In a 9×9″ pan lined with foil, press the fudge mixture evenly into the pan. A rubber scraper works well here. Lastly, add the rest of the brown sugar pecan halves to the top of the fudge. You can line them up in rows, or simply sprinkle them over the top – however you wish.

Chill the fudge for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator before cutting into squares.

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Maple Pecan Fudge – Perfect for Gifting!

This maple fudge recipe is perfect for all of your Christmas cookie and candy exchanges. Package up the fudge (like I did here with my Almond Joy Brownie Bites) and bring to your friends, neighbors and coworkers for a sweet holiday treat. The holidays are the perfect time to enjoy fudge – I hope this recipe inspires you to indulge your sweet tooth this season! ~Erin

If you loved this delicious maple fudge recipe, check out some of my other fudge and candy recipes:

Layered Peanut Butter Fudge

Peppermint Red Velvet Fudge

Coconut Fudge with Macadamia Nuts

Cranberry Bliss Fudge

Salted Caramel Fudge Cups

Chocolate Caramel Cashew Clusters

Peppermint Crunch Fudge at Real Housemoms

Maple Pecan Fudge | The BEST Maple Fudge Recipe! (5)

Here’s the easy, delicious recipe for my Maple Pecan Fudge recipe:

Maple Pecan Fudge | The BEST Maple Fudge Recipe! (6)

Maple Pecan Fudge

Yield: 20 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Love the buttery, delicious maple pecan flavors? This wonderfully simple Maple Pecan Fudge recipe will be right up your alley! Loaded with rich maple flavor and tender, crisp pecans, this maple fudge recipe is perfect for holiday candy making!

Ingredients

Brown Sugar Pecans:

  • 2 c. pecan halves
  • 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. butter

Fudge:

  • 1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
  • 1 c. brown sugar
  • 1/3 c. heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 tsp. maple extract
  • 3 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Begin by making the brown sugar pecans. In a medium skillet, melt the 3 Tbsp. butter and 3 Tbsp. brown sugar together over medium heat. Once melted, add in the pecans and reduce heat to medium-low, stirring continually while coating the pecans in the sugar/butter mixture. Continue to stir the pecans as they toast, approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat, and transfer nuts to a piece of waxed paper. Let the nuts cool to room temperature.
  2. For the fudge: In a medium saucepan, melt together the 1/2 c. butter, 1 c. brown sugar and heavy cream over medium-low heat. Bring to a low boil, and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes, then stir in the maple extract.
  3. Roughly chop 1 cup of the pecans, reserving the remaining pecans for the top of the fudge. Add in the chopped pecans to the fudge mixture. Gradually stir in the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Fudge will start to get thick, and slightly stiff. Transfer the fudge to a foil-lined 9x9" pan, and evenly press into the pan. Top the fudge with the remaining brown sugar pecan halves, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting.
  4. Store in a airtight container. Can be frozen.
Maple Pecan Fudge | The BEST Maple Fudge Recipe! (7)

You Might Also Like These Recipes

  • Peppermint Red Velvet Fudge
  • Peanut Butter White Chocolate Crock Pot Candy
  • Chocolate Covered Cashews
  • Peanut Butter Pretzel Bark
  • Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
  • Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
Maple Pecan Fudge | The BEST Maple Fudge Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

How to make fudge creamy and not grainy? ›

Grainy Fudge

To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon. You can use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar that sticks to the sides of the pot.

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

What is maple fudge made of? ›

Bring maple syrup, heavy cream, and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue to boil, without stirring, until mixture starts to bubble and registers 240 degrees F (166 degrees C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Add butter and salt but do not mix.

What not to do when making fudge? ›

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Candy Shop-Worthy Fudge and Caramels
  1. Using the Wrong Pan. All candy and confections start by melting sugar. ...
  2. Stirring the Sugar. ...
  3. Not Using a Candy Thermometer. ...
  4. Leaving Out the Parchment Paper Lining. ...
  5. Skipping the Cooking Spray. ...
  6. Scraping the Pot. ...
  7. Using a Cold Knife to Slice.
Dec 16, 2015

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

What makes fudge firmer? ›

Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer

If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. If you don't heat your fudge to a high enough temperature, you'll end up with a soft product.

What went wrong with my fudge? ›

If your fudge is tough, hard, or grainy, then you may have made one of several mistakes: You may have overcooked it, beaten it too long, or neglected to cool it to the proper temperature.

What is a good thickener for fudge? ›

How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

Is maple fudge good? ›

A true staple in Québec, Maple Fudge (aka sucre à la crème) is a smooth, creamy and sinfully decadent maple treat that tastes like pure heaven. Another unavoidable classic in this household on Christmas Day would be Maple Fudge, or what we Québécois refer to as “Sucre à la Crème“.

Does maple fudge go bad? ›

But how long does fudge last? Depending on the storage method, you can keep fudge fresh for one week to several months. It's all about packaging fudge properly to keep any air from drying it out and avoiding changes in temperature. Those factors can change the flavor and texture of fudge.

What can I use instead of maple syrup in fudge? ›

Liquid Substitutes for Maple Syrup
  1. Honey. A natural sweetener with a similar consistency to maple syrup, honey often works great in place of maple syrup. ...
  2. Agave Syrup. ...
  3. Pancake Syrup (Artificial Maple Syrup) ...
  4. Brown Rice Syrup. ...
  5. Molasses. ...
  6. Corn Syrup. ...
  7. Simple Syrup. ...
  8. Date Syrup.
Jul 4, 2023

Should you stir fudge while boiling? ›

Don't stir!

Once the fudge reaches soft-ball stage on the candy thermometer, remove from the heat and let the temperature drop to 110°F. Keep that spoon or spatula out of the pot until this happens. If you stir too early in the process, you'll make the sugar crystals too big and end up with grainy fudge.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The main difference is the texture, which is determined by two things: the size of the sugar crystals in the candy, and the concentration of the sugar. Toffee is smooth with no sugar crystals, whereas fudge has tiny crystals that give it that texture.

Can you beat fudge in a stand mixer? ›

Pour the mixture over the chocolate, being sure to shake, not scrape, the mixture from the pot. Set aside to cool for 10 to 12 minutes. (This prevents a grainy consistency.) Using the clean wooden spoon or a standing mixer on low speed, stir or beat the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and incorporated.

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