Nanny’s Brown Sugar Fudge recipe is an old-fashioned boiled candy candy that is also referred to as penuche fudge. This fudge recipe is made with light brown sugar, milk, corn syrup, salt, butter, and a touch of vanilla extract. No powdered sugar required!
I love making my grandma's recipes and this brown sugar fudge is one of them. This is her recipe from her hand written recipe card that I have and cherish in my own home now. Every time I make this homemade fudge I think of my Nanny and all the time we spent together.
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❤️ Why You'll Love Brown Sugar Fudge
Rich buttery flavor: the combination of butter and brown sugar brings out toffee like flavors that are buttery and delicious.
Old fashioned tradition: this fudge recipe is candy making at it's finest, just like mom and grandma used to make.
Simple ingredients: this penuche recipe uses basic ingredients that are probably already in your pantry.
🥘 Ingredients
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Please scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with full instructions.
Evaporated milk: half and half or heavy cream
Corn syrup
Vanilla extract
🔪 How to Make Brown Sugar Fudge
- Line a square pan with enough parchment paper to cover the bottom and sides of the pan . Coat lightly with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, using a wooden spoon, combine evaporated milk, brown sugar, corn syrup until sugar is dissolved.
- Turn burner to medium-high heat and bring sugar mixture to a boil and cook until it just reaches the soft ball stage. This is 230 degrees on a candy thermometer.
- Remove fudge mixture from heat and add butter. Let cool fudge until about 200 degrees on candy thermometer.
- Add walnuts to the butter and fudge mixture and beat fudge until it has just started to lose its shiny gloss..
- Immediately pour fudge into a prepared pan lined with parchment paper. Use a loaf pan if you want thicker fudge. Cut cooled fudge into 24 equal pieces.
🥄 Equipment
Medium saucepan
Wooden spoon
Candy thermometer
Square pan
Measuring cups
🥫Storage
Room temperature: store brown sugar fudge in an airtight container up to 2-3 weeks.
Freeze: not recommended.
📖 Variations
Pecan Praline Fudge: Incorporate chopped pecans in place of the walnuts for a buttery pecan praline and place whole pecans on top of the fudge.
Toffee Fudge: Use dark brown sugar and add ½ - ¾ cup of heath toffee bits to the fudge in place of the nuts.
Sea Salt Sensation: Sprinkle a touch of sea salt on top for a tantalizing sweet-and-salty contrast.
Caramel Brown Sugar Fudge: stir 1 cup of kraft caramel bits into the cooled fudge along with the walnuts to add a bit of chewy caramel flavor to the fudge.
💭 Fudge Making Tips
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching and ensure even heat distribution.
- When using a candy thermometer, be sure the tip of the thermometer does not touch the bottom of the pan.
- To make this fudge without a candy thermometer, use the soft ball test. Drop a little bit of fudge mixture from the spoon into glass of cold water. The syrup should roll easily into a softball with your finger.
- Have all your ingredients and pans ready to go before you start. Fudge can turn fast and you want to be sure to be on the game when making it.
- Don't stir the fudge while it is boiling. Use a silicone pastry brush to brush water around the sides of the pan and dissolve any sugar crystals forming.
- As soon as your fudge starts to lose the glossy look is when you need to immediately. pour into your prepared dish. Don’t hold out on pouring into your pan. If you do, the fudge will harden in your cooking pan.
- Once poured into the pan, let it cool completely before cutting for neat, uniform squares.
📚 Related Recipes
There are plenty of fudge recipes here for you to try, check them out and see if they are one you would like to make!
Fans of cookie butter will love this Cookie Butter Fudge recipe
This Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge has a special ingredient that makes it extra creamy and delicious!
A really nice fudge, this Pumpkin Spice Fudge is packed with flavor and has incredible texture.
Easy Chocolate Fudge has a hint of Irish Cream flavor.
A splash of bourbon in the caramel makes this Layered Chocolate Praline Fudge irresistible.
Dark chocolate lovers will want to make this Dark and Creamy Fudge Recipe.
This Maple Walnut Fudge has delicious flavor from pure maple syrup and is similar to maple sugar candy and oh so delicious
🍽 Serve with..
Brown Sugar Fudge pairs wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk. Serve it as a delightful treat at gatherings, or wrap it up beautifully and give your closest friends a delicious gift!
I can just hear my Nanny say “Shelby Mae, let’ s have “just a taste” of that fudge.”
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When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Nanny's Brown Sugar Fudge
Equipment
- Square pan
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups light brown sugar
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Line a square pan with enough parchment paper to cover the bottom and sides of the pan . Coat lightly with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, using a wooden spoon, combine evaporated milk, brown sugar, corn syrup until sugar is dissolved.
- Turn burner to medium-high heat and bring sugar mixture to a boil and cook until it just reaches the soft ball stage. This is 230 degrees on a candy thermometer.
- Remove fudge mixture from heat and add butter. Let cool fudge until about 200 degrees on candy thermometer.
- Add walnuts to the butter and fudge mixture and beat fudge until it has just started to lose its shiny gloss..
- Immediately pour fudge into a prepared pan lined with parchment paper. Use a loaf pan if you want thicker fudge. Cut cooled fudge into 24 equal pieces.
Cakelaw
I want some now! It looks scrumptious. LOL about the hiding thing - when I cook at my mother's place, I frequently have to hide stuff - but she's like a bloodhound and usually finds it.
Cooking With Dia
Oh my goodness, this looks sooo good. I love fudge, and haven't tried to make it since I was a kid. Great recipe!
Creative One
The fudge looks delicious. I will have to share the fudge recipe that I have.
Ingrid
Oh, boy that looks great! Love brown sugar. And kudos to your for your fudge success!
~ingrid
Hillary
I just had fudge for the first time in years this past weekend. I would love to try brown sugar fudge!
noble pig
Sounds delicious. I love me some fudge!
Coleen's Recipes
Nice instructions!! The fudge photo is awesome.
Laura
PS I am jealous you figured out the code for the table at the top--I have no idea how to do that!
Laura
Great post! And don't worry, I still have nothing. Bad me! Actually I finally picked something to make with my mom this week but my dad is in the hospital, so we shall see. If it doesn't happen I may need to extend the deadline by a few days (I am headed up to see them tomorrow AM).
The fudge looks gorgeous!
JMom
Great job on the template and also on the fudge 🙂
Hugging the Coast
Just ate some fudge today! Thanks for this post!
P.S. My wife and I grew up with Lawrence Welk on the TV too.
Delectable Dining
I love the story here... thank you so much for sharing! The fudge sounds great!
Jamie
That fudge looks like it came from a candy shop. It looks great! Thanks for sharing the family recipe.
Belle
We haven't tried making fudge yet. I remember my mom making it when I was little, though. And every time we go on holidays, we end up at the little homemade fudge store and come out fully loaded with luscious little squares. We really should give this one a try!
Katy ~
Aaah, the last time I had penuche was when my grandmother made it for me as well. Good to see the recipe being revitalized and enjoyed by perhaps another generation! Your fudge looks delicious, Shelby.
I am most excited to hear about your good news. I can full with anticipatory glee at what it could be.
haleysuzanne
Looks great! I love penuche frosting, so I'm sure I would love this recipe. I just picked up a candy thermometer recently, so I'll have to give this a go. It looks delicious.
Bellini Valli
My mom used to make fudge. I always have maple fudge in my stocking at Christmas and always buy it at the fair..
Flourchild
What a funny store, thanks for sharing. I love your fudge, it looks like a great recipe.
Im glad your doing better and feeling better. It's so easy to put on weight and taking it off is harder. Im glad your working out and getting back to feeling better!
I have to be so careful in what I eat..I will be 44 June 22(tomorrow)!
Take care!
Anonymous
Shelby,
My Gramma used to make this for me. I remember asking her for the recipe 20 years ago, I got the ingredients and "cook it then beat the jeapers out of it". I have attempted to relive my memories of my time with Gram, by making fudge several times..sometimes we would have to eat it with a spoon, next time cut it with a chisel and hammer. Tasted like love though. Now I will have to try again, with more specific instructions. Thanks for the recipe and walk down memory lane. Robin
Ivy
You hid that fudge in the bedroom closet? That is really hilarious!!! You did a great job though with your grandmother's fudge recipe and if I had a candy thermometre I would love to try this recipe.