RECIPE FOR VANILLA FUDGE RECIPES

Steps:

• Line an 18cm square tin with greaseproof paper.
• Put the milk, sugar and butter in a heavy-based saucepan. Heat slowly, stirring all the time, until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.
• Bring to the boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring all the time. When the mixture rises dramatically take it off the heat, stirring all the time until the mixture goes back down.
• When the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage (115°C on a temperature probe) remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Leave to cool for 5 minutes.
• Beat the mixture with a spoon for a few minutes until it starts to thicken and the gloss disappears. Pour the mixture immediately into the tin and leave to set at room temperature.
• Once set, cut the fudge into small pieces and store in a sealed container.

Steps:

• Line a 20 x 20cm cake tin with baking parchment. Tip the sugar, cream, butter and glucose syrup into a medium to large saucepan. Heat to dissolve the sugar and melt the butter, stirring now and again.
• Once dissolved, put a sugar thermometer in the pan, making sure the end is completely covered by the syrup – if not, transfer the mixture to a smaller pan (with enough space for the syrup to bubble up). Increase the heat and bring the syrup to a steady boil. Keep bubbling, stirring occasionally to stop the sugar from catching, until the mixture reaches 116C – this is known as the soft ball stage.
• Remove the pan from the heat and leave to sit, undisturbed, for 5 mins, until the temperature drops to 110C. Stir in the vanilla and a good pinch of salt.
• Keep the sugar thermometer in the pan and begin beating the mixture with a wooden spoon, quite vigorously, until the temperature cools to about 60C. By this time the fudge will be really thick and will have lost it glossy shine. Remove the thermometer and continue beating for a few mins more. This process is very important when making fudge, as it creates small sugar crystals, which give the fudge its lovely smooth and creamy texture (see 'fudge know-how', below).
• Before it sets completely, quickly pour the fudge into your prepared tin and smooth over the surface. Leave to cool at room temperature overnight – don’t put the fudge in the fridge as it will become sticky and won’t set properly. Cut into bite-sized pieces and pop in a box to give as a present. Will keep, in a sealed container, for up to 2 months.