The Best Mackinac Island Fudge Recipe (2024)

Christmas, Desserts, Seasonal ·

The Best Mackinac Island Fudge – Are you, in the mood for a treat that brings comfort and happiness with every mouthful? Look no further than this recipe for Mackinac Island Fudge! Made with simple yet indulgent ingredients like unsalted butter, a blend of white and brown sugars, and unsweetened cocoa powder this fudge is not just a dessert; it’s like a slice of heaven. Whether you’re a baker or trying your hand at making fudge for the time this recipe guarantees a delightful result that will impress anyone who tries it.

this Recipe

The first time I made this fudge it was on a chilly afternoon when I was searching for something to brighten up the day. Little did I know that this fudge would quickly become a favorite in our family! As the sweet aroma filled our home my husband’s eyes sparkled with anticipation and our little one eagerly stood on tiptoes watching as I sliced into the creamy and chocolatey goodness. The first bite was magic – the right amount of sweetness and texture. It became a hit. Has since become our go-to recipe for family gatherings, holidays, or whenever we need a little bit of sweetness in our lives.

What makes this The Best Mackinac Island Fudge truly special?

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What makes this Mackinac Island Fudge truly special is its simplicity, versatility, and opportunity, for personalization. Created using common pantry items this recipe turns ingredients into an indulgence that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you serve it as a breakfast, a standout, at brunch, or a timeless dessert it’s sure to make an impression. Moreover, its flexible nature allows you to easily customize the recipe to match your preferences. You can try using types of milk for a twist or add some nuts for added texture and enjoyment. This fudge isn’t just a treat; it’s a pleasure that can be tailored to suit your every desire.

What You Need To Make This The Best Mackinac Island Fudge Recipe?

⬇ Scroll For Recipe Measurements⬇

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Unsalted Butter: The foundation of any fudge butter allows you to have control, over the saltiness ensuring a perfect balance between sweet and savory. Its creamy texture is essential for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

Milk: A hint of milk adds richness and depth to the fudge. While fat milk is traditional feel free to experiment with alternatives like almond or oat milk for a twist.

Granulated White Sugar and Brown Sugar: The combination of these sugars is the secret behind the fudge flavor profile. White sugar brings sweetness while brown sugar adds a touch of molasses enriching the taste with caramel notes.

Pinch of Salt: A pinch but it plays a crucial role! Salt. Balances the sweetness accentuating the flavors of chocolate.

Vanilla Extract: Although just a teaspoonful may seem insignificant vanilla extract brings depth and warmth to enhance the flavors of chocolate and sugars.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is where the magic happens in terms of chocolates. Unsweetened cocoa powder offers a chocolate flavor without adding extra sweetness resulting in a more refined taste profile.

Confectioners’ Sugar: The secret ingredient behind that silky texture, is fudge. Confectioners’ sugar dissolves perfectly removing any graininess to create a texture.

Steps To Make The Best Mackinac Island Fudge:

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Step 1: Start by melting the butter in a saucepan. Then stir in both white and brown sugars along, with the milk and a pinch of salt. This is where the magic happens! Let the mixture come to a boil allowing all those flavors to blend together over heat. Remember to stir it’s like a labor of love for 6 minutes.

Step 2: After that give the mixture time to cool down. This is when you can add your vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and confectioners’ sugar. Mix everything together until it becomes wonderfully smooth and absolutely irresistible.

Step 3: Now pour your fudge onto either a baking sheet or a silicone mat – whichever you prefer. Shape it gently into a log (don’t worry if things get messy!). Then wrap it up tightly with plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator, for 30 minutes. Waiting can be tough. Trust me it’ll be well worth it!

Tip:

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When you’re making Mackinac Island Fudge it’s important to pay attention to the temperature while cooking. The key is to bring the sugar, butter and milk mixture and let it gently boil. Keep it at this rolling boil for 6 minutes. This precise timing and temperature control ensure that the sugars reach the perfect consistency without burning. If the mixture gets too hot the fudge might become hard and brittle. If it’s not hot enough it may not set properly. If you have a candy thermometer available try to aim for the ball stage (234 to 240°F or 112 to 115°C). By giving attention to these details you’ll end up with a fudge that’s incredibly smooth and creamy—an experience that will surely melt in your mouth!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Of course! Feel free to incorporate chopped nuts, dried fruits, or even a touch of sea salt, for a variation.

How long does this fudge keep?

If stored properly in an airtight container it should stay fresh for, up to two weeks. Although chances are it’ll disappear before then!

Can I use a sugar substitute in this recipe?

Certainly! Just bear in mind that using a sugar substitute may slightly affect both the texture and taste.

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The Best Mackinac Island Fudge Recipe

  • Author: Audrey
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 depending on size of slices/pieces 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Experience the velvety pleasure of The Finest Mackinac Island Fudge, a recipe that captures the essence of this beloved American classic. Each delectable bite of this fudge transports you to a world of creamy chocolatey perfection, where the exquisite combination of cocoa, luxurious unsalted butter and the perfect balance of brown sugars come together to create an orchestra of flavors. The subtle hints of vanilla and just a touch of salt elevate this treat beyond expectations transforming it into not a dessert but an unforgettable culinary experience. With its sweetness and texture this fudge recipe pays homage to the timeless allure of Mackinac Islands traditions ensuring it will be a hit, at any gathering or simply enjoyed during your tranquil moments.

Ingredients

Scale

8 tbsp unsalted butter

½ c milk

½ c granulated white sugar

½ c brown sugar, firmly packed

Pinch of salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ c unsweetened cocoa powder

2 c confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

Take a saucepan and mix together some butter, white sugar, brown sugar, milk and a pinch of salt.

Heat the mixture until it reaches a boiling point and then let it simmer on low heat for 6 minutes. Remember to stir it during this time.

Remove the saucepan from the heat source. Now you can stir in some vanilla extract, cocoa powder and confectioners’ sugar until you achieve a smooth consistency.

Get a baking sheet or silicone mat ready. Pour the mixture onto it. Shape it into a log shape. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator, for 30 minutes.

Once the fudge has set, carefully slice it into pieces. Savor its deliciousness!

Notes

To make sure that your Mackinac Island Fudge is enjoyable, for everyone, those with sensitivities here’s a simple yet effective tip; pay attention to the surface you use for cooling and shaping the fudge. While the main ingredients of this recipe are naturally free from gluten (like butter, sugars, cocoa and vanilla) it’s important to prevent cross-contamination during the cooling process. For a version of this recipe use a clean surface, like a silicone mat or parchment paper when pouring and shaping the fudge. Additionally ensure that all your ingredients, vanilla extract and cocoa powder are certified as gluten-free to avoid any traces of gluten.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
The Best Mackinac Island Fudge Recipe (8)

Natasha

My name is Natasha and I am the owner of nodashofgluten.com, a blog dedicated to all kinds of recipes. On my website, you can find classic dishes, vegetarian delights, creative snacks, Gluten-free recipes, and desserts – all proving that cooking isn’t as hard as it seems! With easy-to-follow instructions and tips on how to make your meals even better, I strive to help everyone become master chefs in their own kitchen. Come join me at nodashofgluten.com for some delicious fun!

nodashofgluten.com/

The Best Mackinac Island 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).

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 the world's best fudge? ›

Mackinac Island Fudge – The Best Fudge on Earth
  • Original Murdick's Fudge.
  • Joann's Fudge.
  • Ryba's Fudge Shops.

What makes mackinac island fudge different? ›

To obtain the world famous taste, the fudge is slowly cooked in traditional copper kettles over a gas flame. Once the desired temperature is reached, the mixture is poured onto marble slabs for a cooling period and then hand-paddled into loaves.

Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›

Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize 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 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

How do you keep homemade fudge from being grainy? ›

To avoid this, ensure that you stir the fudge mixture consistently and remove any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan using a wet pastry brush.

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

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.

What is the most famous fudge on Mackinac Island? ›

Original Murdick's Fudge

The original on the Island since 1887, Murdick's has been serving fresh homemade fudge, peanut brittle, chocolate nut clusters and bark from the very best ingredients.

What city is known for fudge? ›

Whether you visit Mackinac Island on National Fudge Day in June or any other day – maybe during the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August – come find your favorite flavor and experience the fudge capital of the world!

What country invented fudge? ›

Fudge's story began in the United States around the 1880s. The first documented instance of fudge being made was at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York when a student named Emelyn Battersby Hartridge heard of a fudge recipe and made 30 pounds of it for a senior auction.

How long is Mackinac fudge good for? ›

How long is Mackinac fudge good for? Fudge is a perishable delight, and its longevity depends on how it's stored. For optimal freshness, we recommend consuming your fudge within ten days of purchase.

What makes Mackinac Island so special? ›

Mackinac Island offers timeless charm with its horse-drawn carriages , historic architecture and attractions . Come explore the island's natural beauty through miles of biking and hiking trails and enjoy a wide variety of activities .

Why is it called Mackinac? ›

Mackinac Island is a shortened version of the Native American name, Michilimackinac. The Anishinaabek word means place of the great turtle. Why great turtle? They thought that Mackinac Island, with its limestone bluffs, looked like a giant turtle rising out of the water.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

What makes fudge moist? ›

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.

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.

Why didn't my fudge get hard? ›

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.

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