Marshmallow Fluff Never Fail Fudge Recipe - My 4 Best Tips For Tasty Results (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Marshmallow Fluff Never-Fail Fudge has always been a hit in my home.

It probably helps that Marshmallow Fluff is aNew England tradition that my mom, born in the southern Boston area, carried into my family’s Florida home. (And I’m so thankful!)

Have no idea what all the fuss over Marshmallow Fluff is?

Well, before I start sharing my favorite fudge recipe, let’s take a trip to New England and see what makes this wicked goodmarshmallow cream so, well… wicked good!

Nuthin’ But The Fluff

Fluff marshmallow cream was first sold in 1920 by 2 World War I veterans named H. Allen Durkee and Fred L Mower:

  • They bought the Marshmallow Fluff recipe for $500 from a man named Archibald Query, who invented it in 1917 but had a difficult time getting his sugar-based confection off the ground during an era of wartime rations.
  • Durkee and Mower built a very successful door-to-door business selling their Marshmallow Fluff throughout New England, and by 1927 were advertising their delicious white cream in Boston newspapers.
  • The popularity of their brand spread in the 1930s as Marshmallow Fluff ads took to the radio and promotional efforts reached hundreds of thousands of homes.
  • When Durkee-Mower joined forceswith Nestle in 1956, the brand became a nationwide hit. What helped fuel the popularity of Marshmallow Fluff?
  • As the 1950s rolled on, the delicious, easy-to-make Marshmallow Fluff Never-Fail Fudge recipe was printed in magazines such as Ladies Home Journal.
  • The Fluff fudge recipe combined the famous marshmallow cream and Nestle’s chocolate bits, lifting sales for both halves of that delectable dynamic duo.
  • The family ofMarshmallow Fluff recipes grew in 1966 when the Rice Krispies Marshmallow Treat recipe was published. The simple, delicious Rice Krispies marshmallow bars were an instant hit and is still popular all these years later.

But what makesMarshmallow Fluff stand a puff above the other marshmallow creams you’ll probably find in your local grocer’s sugar aisle?

Durkee-Mower says they use a“batch-whipping process,” which they claim is the only marshmallow cream still made that way.Batch-whipping makes a smooth, fluffy product that is as fun to look at as it is to eat.

Fellow natural-foods fans like me will also be glad to know Marshmallow Fluff contains no artificial preservatives.

The Marshmallow Fluff Never Fail Fudge Recipe

There are too many tasty Marshmallow Fluff recipes around these days to count. But I can easily tell you which is my favorite: Marshmallow Fluff Never-Fail Fudge.

I don’t consider myself a chef by any stretch of the imagination, but I can tell you thatNever-Fail Fudge is about as easy to make as its name would suggest.

Almost as easy, that is!

You see, I’ve made a few blunders over the years making Fluff Never-Fail Fudge. I blame it not on the fudge recipe but rather on my being loosey-goosey with the preparation process.

The Fluff fudge recipe is really simple, and it requires a short list of ingredients — many of which you probably already have in your kitchen.

Here’s whatyou’ll need to make a tasty batch of Never-Fail Fudge:

  • 7-1/2-ounce jar of Marshmallow Fluff
  • 2-1/2 cups of sugar
  • 1/4 cup of butter or margarine (I say go for the butter!)
  • 5 ounces of evaporated milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate pieces
  • Optional: chopped walnuts or other flavorful additions

The first 5 ingredients should be combined into a large pot (I use a 3-quart pot) over low heat.

Stir the contents until everything is well blended, and then turn the heat up to moderate, letting the blend boil for about 5 minutes. Candy experts would tell you to let the fudge mixture get to soft ball stage, but at this point I’m not that culinarily attuned!

Once the mixture has boiled for 5 minutes, remove the fudge mix from the heat and immediately add the vanilla, chocolate bits, and chopped walnuts (or other tasty modifications if applicable), blending everything thoroughly.

Let the fudge cool in the pan for at least 2 hours (or 45 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator).

Cut into slices, and enjoy!

4 Tips For The Tastiest Marshmallow Fluff Fudge

I’ve made Never-Fail Fudge so many times now that I’ve also stumbled over making the fudgemore than once, too.

Here are 4 personal tips that I’ve learned from trial and error:

  1. When the recipe says you should be “stirring constantly,” they aren’t joking! One time, I left the boiling pre-chocolate fudge mixture unattended in the pot for about 15 seconds to answer a phone call. By the time I came back, I had already smelled the tale-tell odor of caramelizing sugar. Surely enough, I scalded the mixture and left it with an irreversible burnt flavor.
  2. I used to go a little over-the-topwith adding the vanilla. If a recipe called for a teaspoon of vanilla, I would add a teaspoon and a third — or a teaspoon and a half. I once added a bit too much vanilla to abatch of Marshmallow FluffFudge. As you’d guess, it tasted like it was spiked with alcohol. The fudge tasted way off and I didn’t even want to touch the rest of that batch.
  3. Make sure the chocolate bits are well stirred, because you don’t want to leave chunks behind. You’ll want to avoid streaking of the chocolate, too. One time when I was in my 20s I got impatient stirring the chocolate fudge mix.What ended up happening was the chocolate fudge set up unevenly in the pan.This affected the texture and flavor of the fudge, and it was a total loss.
  4. Some people grease their fudge pans, others use wax paper. I prefer buttering the pan simply because it’s a little cheaper and it eliminates the risk of wax paper chemicals leaching into the fudge.

More About Marshmallows & Marshmallow Fluff

Joshua

I’m a roller coaster junkie, a weather enthusiast, a frequent traveler, and a numismatist. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG). I’ve also been studying meteorology and watching weather patterns for years. I enjoy sharing little-known facts and fun stuff about coins, weather, travel, health, food, and living green… on a budget. I work from home full-time as a journalist, reporter, and author.

Marshmallow Fluff Never Fail Fudge Recipe - My 4 Best Tips For Tasty Results (2024)

FAQs

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.

Why won t my marshmallow fudge harden? ›

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

What causes fudge to not set up? ›

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 evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

How do you keep fudge creamy? ›

So, the key to smooth yet firm fudge, pralines, and fondant is to first bring the mixture to a high enough concentration and then let it cool off somewhat before starting to stir. And once you do start to stir, stir fanatically and without stopping for the finest, creamiest texture.

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.

Why is my fudge not creamy? ›

If the sugar crystals are not properly dissolved before cooling, they can create a gritty texture. 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.

What gives fudge the creamy texture and dull appearance? ›

The addition of egg whites and gelatin will coat the sugar crystals and keep them small. This results in creamy fudge. Shhh! It's a Fudgy Secret!

Can you fix fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

Why is my marshmallow fudge dry? ›

If it doesn't boil, your fudge will end up too mushy, and if it cooks for too long, you'll end up with a dry, crumbly mess. This is why many recipes recommend using a candy thermometer, so you know exactly when to remove your mixture from the heat.

How do you harden marshmallow fluff? ›

You might be wondering if marshmallow fluff has the tendency of getting hardened. Yes it does, marshmallow fluff can get hardened. One of the easiest ways for marshmallow fluff to get hardened is through the exposure of cool temperatures and air.

What is 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.

How do I know if my fudge is going to set? ›

Remove the ball from the water and check its consistency with your fingers. For perfect fudge, the syrup should form a soft ball that can be picked up, but easily flattened. If the syrup is undercooked, drops of syrup will sink to the bottom of the glass in threads or simply dissolve.

Do you cover fudge while it sets? ›

After the chocolate has mostly melted, stir in the vanilla extract. Continue to stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and shiny. Pour into a prepared 8 x 8 inch pan. Let the fudge set at room temperature (covered) for at least four hours.

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).

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

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. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

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!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 6044

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.