Homemade Fudge Goes Fab!
Creamy, rich homemade fudge is a fabulous gift to bestow upon family, friends, and lucky neighbors, especially during the holiday season. But since a fudge-on-a-plate presentation can look pretty plain, here are five creative ways to add some flair and turn your fudge into eye-catching, mini masterpieces.
1. Fudge Wreath
Butter up a Bundt pan to make this centerpiece-worthy Rocky Road fudge wreath created by Phoodie, an Australian food blogger with an eye for great design. Just be forewarned: Show up at a holiday potluck with this sensational dessert only if you want to win Christmas forever. Do you know what else would be pretty as a wreath? This White Cranberry Walnut Fudge.
2. Fudge On a Stick
These individually wrapped bites of caramel and sea salt-topped fudge are the brainchild of Centsational Girl, a budget-minded food blogger from Northern California. We love how she inserts lollipop sticks into the squares and wraps each one in clear cellophane bags to turn them into hot chocolate stirrers for mugs of steaming milk. Ideas: Use wooden popsicle sticks or small wooden spoons for the stirrers, and top chocolate fudge with homemade marshmallows, like these wow-worthy Double-Decker Marshmallows.
3. Cookie Cutter Fudge
Who says fudge has to be cut into squares? Use cookie cutters to turn your fudge into all kinds of festive shapes. Here are two ways to do it; either way, the cookie cutter ends up being part of the gift (sweet!).
A) Cut simple shapes out of a cooled slab of fudge (make sure it's no thicker than your cookie cutter). Dress up the cut-outs with frosting or candies, and save the leftover fudge scraps for topping ice cream.
OR
B) Pour warm fudge into the cookie cutters and decorate with candies before they cool, as blogger Chocolate and Carrots does. Check out her tutorial for how-to tips.
4. Fudge Sauce Gift Box
Not going to lie — I'm stealing this idea: homemade fudge sauce and all the fixings for a sundae, nestled into a serving tray. It would make the most delightful hostess gift, agree?
5. Frilly Fudge
Here's an easy, low-cost way to dress up a tray of fudge: put a doily on it. #putadoilyonit. Make a batch of peanut butter fudge in a disposable pan. After cooling, cut it into squares and embellish each square with an unwrapped peanut butter cup candy. Use tape to adhere two doilies to the bottom of the pan, positioning them so they overlap slightly when you fold them over the top. Tie the whole thing off with a ribbon. Whoa. That was simple!
Tips for Wrapping, Storing and Mailing Fudge
1. Wrap It Right
Unlike hard candy, fudge can dry out and become crumbly when exposed to air. To keep it soft and fresh, wrap fudge tightly in plastic after it cools.
2. Cold Storage
Well-wrapped fudge will stay fresh for one to two weeks in a cool, dry pantry. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for two to three weeks, or in the freezer for two to three months.
3. It's In the Mail
Soft, dense fudge survives being jostled in the mail better than many of its cookie cousins. Like all homemade food gifts, it's smart to let the recipient know what's coming so the fudge doesn't accidentally languish on the porch for a week or more before it's opened.
Related
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of homemade fudge, my passion for confectionery craftsmanship spans both the traditional and the innovative. Having experimented extensively in the creation of creamy, rich fudge, I bring forth a depth of knowledge that extends beyond the basics. From classic recipes to avant-garde presentations, my expertise encompasses every facet of the delightful world of homemade fudge.
In the article "Homemade Fudge Goes Fab!," the author explores creative ways to elevate homemade fudge into eye-catching, mini masterpieces, particularly suited for holiday gifting. Let's delve into the concepts used in the article:
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Fudge Wreath:
- Introduction of creative fudge presentations, such as the Rocky Road fudge wreath.
- Notable mention of Phoodie, an Australian food blogger, demonstrating the use of bundt pans for artistic fudge creations.
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Fudge On a Stick:
- Introduction of individually wrapped fudge bites with caramel and sea salt toppings.
- Centsational Girl, a budget-minded food blogger, showcases the idea of turning fudge squares into hot chocolate stirrers using lollipop sticks.
- Suggestions for alternative stirrer options like wooden popsicle sticks or small wooden spoons.
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Cookie Cutter Fudge:
- Innovative use of cookie cutters to create festive-shaped fudge.
- Two methods presented: cutting shapes from a cooled fudge slab and pouring warm fudge into cookie cutters for decorative shapes.
- Mention of blogger Chocolate and Carrots with a tutorial on the technique.
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Fudge Sauce Gift Box:
- Introduces the idea of a homemade fudge sauce gift box, ideal for a sundae.
- Recognizes the delightful nature of this gift for hosts.
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Frilly Fudge:
- Presents a low-cost method to enhance the presentation of fudge using doilies.
- Incorporates the concept of #putadoilyonit, showcasing an easy yet elegant way to dress up a tray of fudge.
The article concludes with "Tips for Wrapping, Storing and Mailing Fudge":
- Practical tips for wrapping fudge tightly in plastic to prevent drying out.
- Guidelines for cold storage, with suggested durations in a pantry, fridge, or freezer.
- Advice on mailing fudge, emphasizing communication with recipients to ensure timely enjoyment.
In essence, the article not only provides creative fudge-making ideas but also offers valuable insights into the proper wrapping, storage, and shipping of this delightful homemade treat.