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My family's funny Christmas coal candy began as a little prank. I'd slip these glittery black goodies into my kids' stockings and watch them go from puzzled to thrilled when they tasted the sweet creamy fudge. It's now the holiday treat everyone begs for, and they're all trying to land on the naughty list!
The Clever Secret Behind Coal Candy
Getting this fudge to look just like actual coal comes down to nailing that deep black shade and glittery finish. I found that white chocolate gives us the creamiest base while letting that dramatic black color really pop. Don't stress about using food coloring. The shocked faces you'll see make it totally worth it.
What You'll Need
- For the Fudge Base:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Black gel food coloring (about 2 teaspoons)
- For Decorating:
- Optional flavor extracts
- Black or silver edible sprinkles
- Equipment:
- Rubber spatula
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan
- Parchment paper
- 8-inch square baking pan
Let's Make Coal Candy
- Get Everything Ready
- Start by putting parchment paper in your pan with some hanging over the sides. You'll thank yourself later when it's time to pull out the fudge.
- Mix Your Base
- Put white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter, vanilla and salt together in your saucepan. Keep stirring over low heat. You want everything smooth and velvety, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Add The Dark Magic
- Now for the fun part. Remove from heat and slowly add black food coloring until you've got perfect coal. Mix thoroughly so there aren't any light streaks.
- Finishing Touches
- Dump the mixture into your pan, flatten the top and scatter those sparkly sprinkles all over. Let it chill in the fridge overnight. You can't rush perfection.
My Best Tips
Stick with gel food coloring because it's stronger and won't mess up your texture. Don't stop stirring even when your arm feels like it'll fall off. Nobody wants chunky fudge. For an extra realistic touch, warm your hands slightly and mold the chilled pieces into rough coal chunks before adding more sprinkles.
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Make It Your Own
We've played with so many versions through the years. A tiny bit of peppermint makes it taste like a fancy chocolate mint. Try almond extract for something more grown-up. My top pick? Adding a hint of licorice flavor really sells that coal illusion. Sometimes I'll make different flavors and turn it into a guessing game.
Gifting and Storage
Put these little treasures in clear bags with red ribbon for the biggest wow factor. They're perfect in stockings or next to other holiday cookies. They'll stay good in your fridge for two weeks but they never stick around that long at my place. You can freeze them up to six months if you need to get ahead during the crazy holiday rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why’s my fudge staying soft?
It probably needs more cooking time. Let it cook longer to evaporate the moisture properly. Slowly stir until it thickens nicely.
- → Can I save runny fudge?
Pop it back in the pot with a tiny splash of water. Heat gently, stir consistently, and cook until it gets thick enough to set.
- → How dark should the fudge look?
Keep adding black dye until it’s coal-like. If using dark chocolate instead of white, you’ll need less coloring to get the shade right.
- → Why’s melting taking forever?
Keep the heat low and take your time. Cranking it up could burn the chocolate. Stir often and wait—it’ll melt eventually.
- → Does it really need 8 hours in the fridge?
Yes, at least! Overnight’s even better. Rushing it will leave you with soft pieces instead of firm, well-set fudge.
Conclusion
Make creamy fudge using white chocolate and black dye to create coal-like treats. It’s a hit as a holiday gag or party snack - looks like coal, tastes sweet!