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Quick Rocky Road Fudge

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 10, 2012

Time

25 minutes, plus 2 hours chilling

Yield

Serves 64 (Makes about 2 1/2 pounds)

Quick Rocky Road Fudge

Ingredients

16 ounces (454 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped fine2 ounces (57 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine½ teaspoon baking soda ⅛ teaspoon table salt 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup mini-marshmallows 1 cup chopped salted peanuts ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Before You Begin

The quality of the chocolate used will affect the flavor and texture of the fudge. We prefer Ghirardelli semisweet and unsweetened chocolate in this recipe. Don't be tempted to make this fudge without the peanuts; they are crucial to the texture. If you prefer, you can use toasted nuts in this recipe. Make sure to remove the fudge from the double boiler before the chocolate is fully melted. If the chocolate stays in the double boiler too long, there is the possibility of the chocolate separating and producing a greasy fudge. This fudge will change texture and become drier the longer it is stored. Store the fudge, tightly wrapped in plastic, in a cool place for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months. If frozen, allow ample time to let it reach room temperature before cutting.

Instructions

  1. Cut 12-inch length extra-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil; fold edges back to form 7 1/2-inch width. With folded sides facing down, fit foil securely into bottom and up sides of 8-inch-square baking pan, allowing excess to overhang pan sides. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Toss chocolates, baking soda, and salt in medium heatproof bowl until baking soda is evenly distributed. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Set bowl over 4-quart saucepan containing 2 cups simmering water. Stir with rubber spatula until chocolate is almost fully melted and few small pieces remain, 2 to 4 minutes.
  3. Remove bowl from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is fully melted and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in marshmallows, peanuts, and chocolate chips. Transfer fudge to prepared pan and spread in even layer with spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Remove fudge from pan using foil and cut into squares.
  4. to make double batch

  5. Line 13 by 9-inch pan with two sheets of foil placed perpendicular to each other and double amounts of all ingredients. In step 2, use large heatproof bowl and Dutch oven containing 4 cups simmering water.
Quick Rocky Road Fudge

Quick Rocky Road Fudge

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

25 minutes, plus 2 hours chilling

Yield

Serves 64 (Makes about 2 1/2 pounds)

Ingredients

16 ounces (454 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
2 ounces (57 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
½ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon table salt
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini-marshmallows
1 cup chopped salted peanuts
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

16 ounces (454 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
2 ounces (57 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
½ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon table salt
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini-marshmallows
1 cup chopped salted peanuts
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

16 ounces (454 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
2 ounces (57 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
½ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon table salt
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini-marshmallows
1 cup chopped salted peanuts
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted a forgiving fudge recipe that didn’t require ideal conditions for success. We found that a traditional “easy” substitute, condensed milk and a little unsweetened chocolate, gave us a less sugary fudge with a good chocolate flavor. Seeking a firmer, lighter texture for our fudge recipe, we found that a little baking soda reacted with the acids in the chocolate to alter the pH, which made the fudge drier and firmer. We reached perfect density when we added 1 cup of nuts.

Before You Begin

The quality of the chocolate used will affect the flavor and texture of the fudge. We prefer Ghirardelli semisweet and unsweetened chocolate in this recipe. Don't be tempted to make this fudge without the peanuts; they are crucial to the texture. If you prefer, you can use toasted nuts in this recipe. Make sure to remove the fudge from the double boiler before the chocolate is fully melted. If the chocolate stays in the double boiler too long, there is the possibility of the chocolate separating and producing a greasy fudge. This fudge will change texture and become drier the longer it is stored. Store the fudge, tightly wrapped in plastic, in a cool place for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months. If frozen, allow ample time to let it reach room temperature before cutting.

Instructions

  1. Cut 12-inch length extra-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil; fold edges back to form 7 1/2-inch width. With folded sides facing down, fit foil securely into bottom and up sides of 8-inch-square baking pan, allowing excess to overhang pan sides. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Toss chocolates, baking soda, and salt in medium heatproof bowl until baking soda is evenly distributed. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Set bowl over 4-quart saucepan containing 2 cups simmering water. Stir with rubber spatula until chocolate is almost fully melted and few small pieces remain, 2 to 4 minutes.
  3. Remove bowl from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is fully melted and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in marshmallows, peanuts, and chocolate chips. Transfer fudge to prepared pan and spread in even layer with spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Remove fudge from pan using foil and cut into squares.
  4. to make double batch

  5. Line 13 by 9-inch pan with two sheets of foil placed perpendicular to each other and double amounts of all ingredients. In step 2, use large heatproof bowl and Dutch oven containing 4 cups simmering water.

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