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:

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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.
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You Might Also Like These Recipes

  • Peppermint Red Velvet Fudge
  • Peanut Butter White Chocolate Crock Pot Candy
  • Chocolate Covered Cashews
  • Peanut Butter Pretzel Bark
  • Double Chocolate Smores Martini
  • Black Bean Brownie Recipe
Maple Pecan Fudge | The BEST Maple Fudge Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • 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. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

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 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.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What makes high quality 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).

Should you stir fudge constantly? ›

It is important to stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture starts to thicken and its surface starts to look dull or matte. Now is the time to stop beating and pour the fudge into a mould. Another tip: Do not scrape the sides of the pan or the spoon used for stirring.

Why is my maple fudge grainy? ›

Grainy Fudge

The sugars probably crystallized, a common mistake when making candy like fudge or caramel. If the melting sugar splashes onto the sides of the pan, it turns back into crystals and causes the fudge to seize up. To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon.

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.

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.

Why is my maple fudge not setting? ›

Homemade Fudge Doesn't Always Set

If your fudge doesn't firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn't reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.

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.

Why is my maple fudge not thickening? ›

If your fudge fails to harden in the fridge, it means that you probably didn't cook it to the right temperature. Fudge is a candy, and that means it is extremely picky about temperature - fudge must be cooked to precisely 237–239 degrees Fahrenheit so that sugar forms the desired consistency when cooled.

Why do you add vanilla to fudge? ›

Vanilla is often added to chocolate candies or other chocolate recipes because it complements and accents the flavor of chocolate.

Can you redo fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 4) If you think the reason it didn't set was because you didn't heat it to the right temperature, you could try putting it back into the pan and re-cooking.

How do you firm up homemade fudge? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

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 makes fudge softer? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

Why is my fudge crumbling when I cut it? ›

The ingredients for fudge are combined and cooked to 234 degrees, cooled to 110 degrees without stirring, then beaten until creamy. Candy that isn't cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard.

What does soft ball mean when making fudge? ›

making of fudge

termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

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