Preparing for Fudge Day: A Sweet Celebration on 16 June

As the summer begins to unfold in all its glory, there's a special day on the calendar that sweet-toothed enthusiasts eagerly await. Fudge Day, celebrated annually on 16 June. 

This delightful day is dedicated to the rich, creamy confection that has captured the hearts of many across the globe.

Whether you prefer classic chocolate fudge, a nutty variation, or an adventurous flavour combination, Fudge Day is the perfect excuse to indulge. 

My mother taught all of her children to make fudge so I thought it would be nice to share fudge making with you.

Here’s how to prepare for a day filled with sweet treats and joyous celebrations.

1. Gather Your Ingredients

The foundation of any good fudge is quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for a classic chocolate fudge recipe:

400g of granulated sugar

200ml of double cream

50g of unsalted butter

200g of dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) (We leave chocolate out due to my wife's chocolate allergy)

A pinch of salt

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

For those looking to experiment, consider adding nuts, dried fruits, or flavoured extracts to your shopping list.

2. Essential Equipment

To ensure your fudge-making process is smooth, gather the following equipment:

A heavy-based saucepan

A sugar thermometer (essential for achieving the perfect consistency)

A wooden spoon

A baking tin lined with parchment paper

A sharp knife for cutting the fudge into squares

3. Perfecting the Recipe

Making fudge can be a bit of an art, but with patience and attention to detail, you can achieve fudge perfection. Follow these steps:

Prepare the Tin: Line a 20cm square baking tin with parchment paper, ensuring it overlaps the sides for easy removal.

Melt the Ingredients: In the heavy-based saucepan, combine the sugar, double cream, butter, and salt. Over a medium heat, stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Boil to Perfection: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, without stirring, and attach the sugar thermometer to the side of the pan. Allow it to reach 116°C (240°F), which is the soft-ball stage.

Cool and Beat: Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool slightly before adding the vanilla extract and chopped dark chocolate. Stir vigorously until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture thickens and loses its gloss.

Set the Fudge: Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, smoothing the top with the back of the wooden spoon. Let it cool completely at room temperature before cutting into squares.

4. Creative Variations

Once you've mastered the classic fudge, why not experiment with some creative variations? Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

Nutty Delight: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.

Fruity Twist: Mix in dried cranberries, cherries, or apricots for a burst of flavour.

Flavoured Fudge: Try adding a few drops of peppermint, orange, or almond extract for a unique taste experience.

Layered Fudge: Create a marbled effect by layering different flavours of fudge in the same tin.

5. Hosting a Fudge Party

Fudge Day is the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family for a fun and indulgent celebration. Here are some tips for hosting a fudge-tasting party:

Variety is Key: Prepare several different types of fudge to offer a variety of flavours and textures.

Presentation Matters: Arrange the fudge on a beautiful platter, and label each type so guests know what they're tasting.

Pairings: Serve your fudge with complementary beverages such as coffee, tea, or dessert wine.

Activities: Set up a DIY fudge-making station where guests can create their own custom fudge blends.

6. Share the Sweetness

Fudge Day is not just about indulging yourself; it's also a wonderful opportunity to share your homemade treats with others. Consider packaging some fudge in pretty boxes or bags and giving them as gifts to friends, neighbours, or colleagues. A handwritten note with the recipe can add a personal touch.

Conclusion

Fudge Day on 16 June is a celebration of all things sweet and creamy. By preparing ahead, gathering quality ingredients, and experimenting with creative variations, you can make this day truly special. Whether you're making fudge for the first time or you're a seasoned pro, there's no better way to celebrate than by sharing the joy of homemade fudge with those around you. Happy Fudge Day!

Fudge Kitchen Release 2022 Giving Report

Fudge Kitchen have released their 2022/23 Giving Report, detailing their social and environmental impacts over the last year. 

The artisan confectionery producers raised over £15k in donations, the equivalent of over 35,000 impacts for projects around the world.

In 2021 Fudge Kitchen partnered with giving platforms B1G1 and WorkForGood and were able to provide an exceptional positive impact not only to the environment, but to local and community initiatives too.

In 2022 they raised a record-breaking £15,615 for global causes, including B1G1's Clean Earth Projects, The Buddy Bag Foundation and FareShare. 

By creating limited-edition flavours in-store for donations, the confectionery producers also managed to rapidly fundraise for some of the most important causes that the world faced, from the invasion of Ukraine to responding to the catastrophic flooding in Pakistan.

Fudge Kitchen have been partnering with B1G1 for the last few years, a social enterprise encouraging a global business giving movement. Unlike traditional giving models, B1G1 works with businesses to achieve real and measurable social and environmental impacts by dedicating revenue from everyday business operations. Money donated can easily be linked back to micro-impacts that lead to a more sustainable future.

Fudge Kitchens Marketing Manager, Richard Parson, says “Measuring giving by impacts has given us the tools to encourage team and customer engagement in charitable fundraising in ways we've never been able to before. We're able to contextualise the good that we and our customers do and see real value in it.”

In April and July of 2022 Fudge Kitchen launched a special limited-edition fudge, with all proceeds going to Direct Relief , which is– a humanitarian aid organization working on the ground in Ukraine to provide urgent medical care & emergency response. Sales of their Lemon Meringue fudge, coloured yellow and blue in homage to the Ukrainian flag, raised just over £3k in a week.

In June 2022, for National Fudge Day, the artisan confectioners ran fudge making experiences in their shops around the UK, with all proceeds going to the food charity FareShare. Fudge Kitchen waived the normal price of their fudge making experiences (usually from £95), and instead asked customers to pay a price they saw fit. In 4 days, they raised just over £1000 which contributed to over 4000 meals for communities across the UK.

Alongside their monetary contributions Fudge Kitchen also introduced paid volunteering days for every team member across the business; allowing them the freedom to actively support good causes that mean a lot to them. Linsey, their Finance Manager, enrolled with the St. John Emergency Ambulance Crew – responding to casualty calls at events and supporting NHS 999 calls. Whilst Tia, from their shop in Bath, spent time with a local organic farm that specialises in providing learning opportunities for people with special needs, through social and occupational practices.

Looking ahead to 2023 the fudge makers have selected the charities they'll be supporting across three categories – local, community and environmental. The local charity is FareShare, the UKs dedicated food redistribution network, fighting to reduce food-inequality. The Community charity is the Neighbourly Foundation, an initiative that enables vital community projects and initiatives to receive funding. The environmental charity is Rewilding Britain - an innovative charity that promotes rewilding as an effective answer to some of the big environmental issues like climate breakdown and species extinction.

To find out more about Fudge Kitchen's sustainability mission head to: https://www.fudgekitchen.co.uk/pages/sustainability

New Limited Edition Fudge Sauces from Artisan Confectioners Fudge Kitchen

The wonderful folks over at Fudge Kitchen have launched two very special new limited edition liquid fudge sauces in Sherbet Lemon and Butterscotch flavours.

The new fudge sauces are launching in time for Pancake Day and will be available for a limited time, but only while stocks last. The limited-edition flavours will sit alongside their current Sea Salted Caramel and Rich Chocolate Fudge Sauces.

Fudge Kitchen are known for their traditional artisan slab fudge, made in small batches in their shops. Their fudge sauce is a liquid version of the award-winning slab fudge that they are  justifiably famous for.

2023 marks Fudge Kitchen's 40th anniversary, and the business has gone from strength-to-strength in the last four decades. What started as a modest number of fudge shops has expanded into a strong e-commerce presence, flourishing wholesale business and shops in six of the UK's most visited cities.

Sherbet Lemon fudge sauce is a sweet, zingy lemon sauce that will take any pancake right up to the next level. Butterscotch fudge sauce is a decadent and creamy sauce that can be paired with ice cream, pancakes, or just about anything and can be served either hot or cold.

The latest flavours follow on from last year's successful limited-edition Raspberry Fudge Sauce. 

Priced from £4.60 the new fudge sauces can be found in Fudge Kitchen stores, and on their website. The confectionery producers have six shops in some of the UK's most historic cities, Canterbury, Windsor, Cambridge, York, Bath and Edinburgh.

Each of their high street shops offer fudge making experiences, where customers can get behind the scenes and make their own fudge 'loaf' before cutting it into slices and taking home a generous box of freshly made fudge.

The liquid fudge sauces were actually created by accident when their NPD team were experimenting with vacuum packing the original fudge. The confectioners pride themselves on their ability to innovate and trial new flavours and formats. 

The fudge menu changes seasonally to reflect national events and holidays, the next one being the King's Coronation in May. Fudge Kitchen are also launching Hot Cross Bun Caramels for Spring, enrobed in a thick layer of chocolate.

To find out more about Fudge Kitchen's fudge sauce range head to: https://www.fudgekitchen.co.uk/en/categories/liquid-fudge