15-Minute Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Why I Love This Recipe
The secret to this recipe is the addition of baking soda, which makes the fudge drier and firmer, without imparting off flavors. Don't be tempted to make this fudge without the walnuts; they are crucial to the texture.
Recipes comes from The Best of America's Test Kitchen (Best Recipes and Reviews 2008)
Ingredients You'll Need
16 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
Line 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing extra foil to hang over edges of pan. Lightly coat with vegetable oil spray.
Toss chocolates, baking soda and salt in medium heatproof bowl until baking soda is evenly distributed. Stir in condensed milk and vanilla. Set bowl over 4-qt. saucepan containing 2 cups simmering water (or double boiler). Stir with rubber spatula until chocolate is almost fully melted and a few small pieces remain, 2 to 4 minutes.(Make sure to remove fudge because if it stays in the double boiler too long, it's possible that the chocolate will separate producing a greasy fudge.)
Remove bowl from the heat and continue to stir until the chocolate is fully melted and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in the walnuts. Transfer the fudge to the prepared pan and spread in an even layer with a spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Remove from the baking pan by lifting the foil extensions. Using a chef's knife, cut into squares. Makes about 2 1/2 lbs.
Fudge can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a cool place up to 2 weeks or frozen up to 3 months. This fudge will change texture and become drier the longer it is stored. If freezing, do not cut the fudge into squares; thaw at room temp, then cut.