Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe

Salted Caramel Fudge

4.8

(4)

3 Reviews

Treat yourself to a swirl of sweet flavor with this salt-kissed caramel fudge.

Liv Dansky

Updated on November 29, 2023

Recipe tested by

Southern Living Test Kitchen

Salted Caramel Fudge - Southern Living — Photo:
Frederick Hardy II; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

4 hrs 25 mins

Servings:

This homemade salted caramel fudge is the gift-worthy yet simple recipe your candy tin has been missing. With a swirl of caramel and chocolate, you get a balance of both in every bite—just enough to please caramel and chocolate-lovers alike. Plus, a dash of espresso in the decadent chocolate base gives each slice a depth of flavor that'll make everyone swear these came from the fudge shop down the street.

The from-scratch caramel is super simple. Our Test Kitchen recommends letting it sit and do its thing without stirring. It will bubble dramatically when you add cream, but that means you're doing it right. However, caramel can burn very quickly; don't take your eyes off of it, especially as it starts to change colors.

Topping the fudge with flaky sea salt is a must. If you can't find the dark chocolate pearls recommended, you can also get a slight crunch from chopped walnuts for a wonderful textural contrast to this creamy fudge. Serve on its own or sprinkle smaller pieces into a vanilla ice cream for an irresistible way to end any meal.

Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, at room temperature
3 Tbsp. salted butter, plus more for greasing
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 tsp. fine sea salt
1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
6 oz. semisweet chocolate (from 2 [4-oz.] chocolate bars), roughly chopped
6 oz. (60% cacao) bittersweet chocolate (from 2 [4-ounce] chocolate bars), roughly chopped
1 Tbsp. brewed espresso
Dark chocolate pearls (optional)
Flaky sea salt

Directions

Prepare baking pan:

Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with butter and line with 2 sheets of overlapping parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides. Set aside.
Cook sugar and water:

Whisk together sugar and water in a medium saucepan; cook over medium, undisturbed, until sugar turns light golden in color, 10 to 12 minutes.
Add cream:

Add whipping cream; cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
Add butter, vanilla, and salt:

Remove from heat; whisk in butter, vanilla, and salt. Set aside.
Make chocolate mixture:

Place condensed milk, bittersweet chocolate, semisweet chocolate, and espresso in a large microwavable bowl. Microwave on LOW (10% power) until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes, stopping to stir well every 10 seconds.
Layer chocolate mixture and caramel:

Working quickly, transfer chocolate mixture to prepared baking pan and spread in an even layer. Pour prepared salted caramel over chocolate mixture; if needed, gently tilt baking pan to spread evenly. Run tip of a knife through chocolate and caramel layers to swirl together. Decorate with chocolate pearls, if using.
Chill fudge:

Chill, uncovered, until set, at least 4 hours or up to overnight (12 hours).
Cut fudge into squares:

Remove fudge from baking pan using parchment paper overhang as handles. Garnish with flakey sea salt. Cut into squares and serve. Store fudge squares, covered, in refrigerator up to 1 week.