Caramel Apple Fudge combines smooth white chocolate, a hint of apple cider flavor, and creamy caramel. Itโs an easy recipe, with no candy thermometer required!
authorโs note
This Fudge Tastes Just Like a Caramel Apple Sucker!
Remember those nostalgic caramel apple suckers? This fudge channels that vibe perfectly.
It starts with a creamy fudge base infused with spiced apple cider. Sounds intimidating? Itโs not! Thanks to The First Year Blog for the clever idea of using apple cider drink mix. On top, a rich, creamy caramel layer is swirled in.
What do you get? Arguably the best fudge around! No complicated recipes or candy thermometers required. This is all about ease without sacrificing flavor or texture!
Caramel Apple Fudge Ingredients
- Caramel: Use Wertherโs Originalยฎ caramels for this recipe.
- Heavy whipping cream: Shake well and always choose full-fat.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness while letting you control the salt.
- Apple cider mix: Found in the drink mix aisle, it gives the right apple flavor.
- White chocolate chips: Quality is important! Brands like Ghirardelliยฎ or Guittardยฎ are great.
- Full-fat sweetened condensed milk: Always use full-fat; low-fat or sugar-free wonโt be as rich. Evaporated milk isnโt a good substitute!
- Fine sea salt: A small pinch boosts the fudgeโs flavor, making it sweeter.
How To Make Caramel Apple Fudge
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8ร8-inch pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
- Melt the Caramel: In a pot, melt caramels with heavy cream until smooth.
- Make the Fudge Base: In a pot, mix apple drink mix, salt, butter, and heavy cream. Whisk, then add sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips.
- Combine: Pour the fudge into the pan, then add the caramel on top. Swirl them together with a knife.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate until set.
Tips For Success
- Pan Prep: Line and grease your pan to stop sticking, making it easier to remove.
- Patience is Key: Melt ingredients on low heat for even melting and to prevent burning or separating. It might take a bit longer, but the results are worth it.
- Stir Constantly: Keep stirring, especially with chocolate and caramel, to melt evenly and stop burning or sticking.
- Quality Matters: Using good ingredients really improves the taste and texture of your fudge.
- Chilling time: Donโt rush this step. The fudge needs time to set properly in the refrigerator.ย
- Cut the fudge: Using a hot, sharp knife will give you clean cuts without the fudge sticking to the knife. Run the knife under hot water, dry it, then make your cuts.
- Serve: Fudge tastes best at room temperature.
Packaging and Gifting
- Size and Shape: Cut fudge into squares or rectangles, or use small fall-themed cookie cutters for fun shapes.
- Wrap: Use parchment or wax paper to wrap each piece or small stacks to keep them from sticking and to make them look nicer.
- Containers: Buy decorative tins or boxes at craft stores. Line the bottom with colored tissue paper or parchment for a festive touch, and layer the fudge pieces inside.
- Cellophane Bags: Put a few wrapped fudge pieces in clear bags and close them with a twist tie or decorative ribbon.
- Label: Attach a cute tag with the fudge name (like โCaramel Apple Fudgeโ) and a note about how long it lasts.
Storage
Storing Caramel Apple Fudge
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to a week, away from direct sunlight.
- Refrigeration: In an airtight container, fudge lasts for 2-3 weeks and gains a firmer texture.
- Freezing:
- Cut into squares and tightly wrap each piece in plastic wrap.
- Place wrapped pieces in a freezer bag, pushing out as much air as possible. Label with date and type.
- If not wrapped individually, separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
- Thawing: Always thaw fudge in the refrigerator to maintain its texture and flavor.
More Apple Recipes:
Caramel Apple Fudge
Caramel Apple Fudge features smooth white chocolate, a hint of apple cider flavor, and creamy caramel. Itโs an easy recipe that doesnโt require a candy thermometer!
Video
Equipment
- 8 x 8-inch baking pan see note 1
- Small pot nonstick
- Medium pot nonstick
Ingredients
- 25 soft caramels unwrapped, see note 2
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 packets apple cider drink mix see note 3
- 3 cups white chocolate chips see note 4
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk full fat
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
Instructionsย
- Line an 8ร8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Grease the pan lightly, lay the parchment paper, and use binder clips or something similar to keep it in place.
- In a small, heavy-bottomed, nonstick pot, combine the unwrapped caramels with 1 tablespoon of the heavy cream.
- In a separate, medium, heavy-bottomed, nonstick pot, combine the apple cider mix, salt, butter, and the remaining 2 tablespoons heavy cream. Whisk constantly until butter has melted and the apple cider mix has fully dissolved (see note 5). After dissolving, pour in the sweetened condensed milk and mix. Fold in the white chocolate chips using a heat-resistant spatula. Continue stirring, scraping the bottom and sides of the pot. Itโs important to maintain low heat for a smooth mixture.
- While preparing the fudge base, melt the caramel mixture over low heat. Stir until it achieves a smooth consistency. Itโs important to have both the fudge base and caramel topping ready at the same time to ensure smooth swirling. If needed, return caramels to the stovetop until very smooth and creamy.
- Once both the fudge and caramel are smooth, remove them from the stove. First, pour the fudge into the prepared pan, spreading and leveling it to an even layer with a spatula. Then pour the caramel right on top of the fudge. Using a table knife, swirl the caramel and fudge together. Spend a few minutes on this step to ensure thorough and even marbling.
- Cover the pan and refrigerate for 4โ6 hours or until the fudge sets.
- To serve, pull out the fudge using the parchment-paper overhang. Use a sharp knife, heated under hot water and dried, to slice the fudge. Due to its rich flavor, smaller pieces are recommended.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: This is myย favorite 8ร8-inch baking pan. I love this parchment paperย and these binder clips to hold the paper in place. These spatulas are the best for mixing and spreading the mixture.
Note 2: Be sure to grab Wertherโs Originalยฎ soft caramels. Get a big bag, set aside 25 for this recipe, and use the rest in some of my other caramel-filled recipes!
Note 3: Donโt substitute the cider mix for juice or liquid cider; the fudge wonโt set up. These powdered mixes are typically in the drink aisle of the store.
Note 4: Brands like Ghirardelli or Guittard are my favorites! Steer clear of white baking chocolate, almond bark, or candy melts; theyโll mess up the fudgeโs flavor and texture.
Note 5: Thoroughly dissolving the drink mix is crucial to avoid a grainy texture. Patience is key. To check, take a small amount and rub between two fingers. If it feels grainy, keep cooking, but if itโs smooth, youโre good to go!
Storage:ย Store fudge in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature or 2โ3 weeks in the fridge. For freezing, wrap pieces individually or separate layers with wax paper in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge to maintain its texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
It is an easy and great tasting fudge!! I love trying new recipes and this candy was fun and way good everyone loved it
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Lettie!
This is a new favorite in our house! Weโll definitely be making it every fall (and probably a few other times a year!) I took this to a big family party and everyone LOVED it! So good!!!
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Michelle! ๐