an image of a oblong Pyrex dish with Homemade South African Hard Fudge cut into cubes and ready to be enjoyed.

Homemade South African Hard Fudge

Have you ever tried to make Homemade South African Hard Fudge? 

Fudge is a type of confection that is made by mixing sugar, butter, and milk. It has its origins in the 19th century USA and was popular in the women’s colleges of the time. Fudge can come in a variety of flavorings depending on the region or country it was made; popular flavors include fruit, nut, chocolate, and caramel

Savor the unforgettable charm of SA Hard Fudge
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an image of a oblong Pyrex dish with Homemade South African Hard Fudge cut into cubes and ready to be enjoyed.

Homemade South African Hard Fudge

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 13 reviews
  • Author: EsmeSalon.com
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cooling, Set Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 60 blocks 1x

Description

Candy will always be welcome and makes for a special treat and awesome gift, for a friend or family member. They will adore and love it when they realize you specially made them these South African Fudge, despite it being a calorie-laden treat!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tin condensed milk (397 g)
  • 1 kg white sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp butter or margarine
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla or caramel essence

Instructions

In a pot, boil milk, butter, sugar, and salt together for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, at a medium temperature.

Remove from heat and add condensed milk.

Return to heat and bring to a slow rolling boil, turn to low, and continue stirring at regular intervals, for 30 minutes.

Add the essence and mix well while on ‘turned off’ plate.

Pour into a greased pan or Pyrex dish to set and cool.

When cooled, cut into squares and enjoy.

****If it does not harden after 3/4 hour you can return it to the pot and reboil for 5 minutes, then pour back into the pan and set again****



Notes

Prepared, tried, and tested Ingrid 


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 72
  • Sugar: 17
  • Sodium: 9
  • Fat: 0
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 18
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 0
  • Cholesterol: 1
Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
an image of a oblong Pyrex dish with Homemade South African Hard Fudge cut into cubes and ready to be enjoyed.
1 will never be enough of these Homemade South African Hard Fudge

 History of Fudge

Fudge originated in the US during the late 19th century. Recipes were printed in many periodicals and advertisements during the 1880s. Its popularity was partly due to the decreasing cost of refined white sugar, and partly due to the ability to make it at home without special equipment. Its inexpensive, unrefined qualities made it popular among people looking for a candy alternative that fell in between expensive, fancy candies and the cheapest sweets.

Fudge shops in tourist places such as Mackinac Island in Michigan began opening during the 1880s.  In a letter written in 1921 by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, she recounts the purchasing of a box of fudge for 40 cents a pound in 1886 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Should fudge be refrigerated?

Freezing fudge, however, is a great option as it thaws very nicely – or you can simply eat it straight from the freezer if you prefer a harder consistency. Fudge will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months!

Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.

Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.

If you try out this delightful recipe, please let me know, rate it, and tag me on Instagram at @_esmesalon. I’m excited to see your amazing recreations, and I’m hooked on those mouthwatering photos!

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25 thoughts on “Homemade South African Hard Fudge”

  1. Tried this recipe – made it EXACTLY as per the recipe but it turned to a sticky toffee. I could not put it back in the pot because it was too thick and sticky. VERY sad as I was so looking forward to my hard SA fudge. 😥😥

    1. Hi Cheryl, I am sorry to hear that this recipe did not work out for you. I received this recipe from a fellow member of my recipe group and shared it as is here. Not sure if you had it at the correct temperature, or cooked it too long. I personally have not made this specific recipe, but you will see that others made this and they said it turned out perfect.

        1. Hi Sharmaine, I am so happy to hear that this worked for you. Thanks for letting us know and enjoy it. Hopefully this will be your go-to recipe in future. Enjoy every bite. Thank you again.

    1. Hi Marlien. Thank you so much for trying out this Fudge and letting me know that you modified it and only used 750g of sugar and its a winner. Enjoy.

    1. I am sorry to hear that you have issues with this recipe. Maybe you did not cook it long enough and at the correct temperature. All I can suggest would be to return it to the pot and cook it a bit more. You can also do a test to ensure it will set. Take some ice water in a bowl and drop some of the fudge in it and it should set in a soft ball and at that point you will know it’s ready.

      1. Ok thanks, I tried that and it worked. I actually saw your note on boiling for an extra 5mins so I initially boiled for 35mins and now again for 7 but at a slightly faster boil and it is now set and absolutely delicious. Thanks.

  2. Candice Hamman

    I stink at making fudge, I never get it right. But after doing my homework and consulting with my mom In law I’m going to give this recipe a go.

    Here goes nothing

    1. Hi Candice. I truly hope this one will work for you. It’s a matter of practice and you will get it just perfect. Please let us know through a rating and review how this one turned out for you. Enjoy making it and especially eating this yum treat

  3. Hi Ingrid,
    I am having trouble leaving a comment for you. I am able to reply to everyone else, though. Odd. So, I am trying here:
    Hi Ingrid,
    Thank you for writing me. I appreciate your readership.
    The way to get StumbleUpon traffic is by having other people stumble your links for you and by you stumbling other people’s links for them.
    I checked out your blog. I did not see a StumbleUpon button. That is because you are a WordPress.com. When I left, about 15 months ago, they did not have a StumbleUpon sharing option.
    You have two options:
    1. You can install a StumbleUpon button. I brought you a link with the directions: http://www.mostlyblogging.com/power-of-stumbleupon-how-to-add-sharing-button-to-wordpress-com/
    2. You can stumble other people’s links and let other people stumble your links. How can other people stumble your links if you don’t have a StumbleUpon sharing button? Easy.
    You can post your links on my StumbleUpon group page and I will stumble your links for you. Other people in the group will see your links and might stumble them as well.
    There are Facebook groups with sharing threads. You can leave your link there. In those threads, you stumble everyone’s links and they all stumble your links.
    I hope I was helpful.
    Janice

    1. cookandenjoyrecipes

      Janice. Thank you for you note and explanation. I will tey to work through it and see if I manage the technical component. BTW. My name is Esmé although this recipe mafe by Ingrid as receivd via my FB group thus using her bame to identify her post. I will get back to you shortly. Thanks again.

    2. cookandenjoyrecipes

      Dear Janice, Thank you again for this awesome information and link how to create the button. I have managed to create this StumbleUpon button and will hopefully be able to see the effect shortly. Thanks once again. Esmé <3

      1. Hi Esme,
        I just wrote you back. I hope you saw my comment on my site. Let me know when you start seeing StumbleUpon traffic!
        Janice

        1. cookandenjoyrecipes

          Thanks for all your help. Yes, I also responded on your message direct on your site. I will keep you posted. You’re the best. 😉

            1. cookandenjoyrecipes

              Janice, sorry to trouble you again. I just had to step out, and will do so again shortly, but just wanted to say, that I tried to stumble you, but nothing seems to happen. Do I need to do something else to get this StumbleUpon going, except than what I have already done??? I will only be able to check back here in 5-6 hrs as I am on my way out again. Thanks in advance for your support.

              1. Can I ask what you tried to do? Did you click the StumbleUpon link on my site or did you go to StumbleUpon and click “Add a Page?” Please let me know. I want to make sure my StumbleUpon button is working and help you as well. Thanks!
                Janice

                1. cookandenjoyrecipes

                  Janice – Thanks for your help. I think I have resolved the issue. Let me know if you see the StumbleUpon on your page. I just clicked on the link on your site. Let me know if I need to do anything else. Thanks so much <3

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