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My family's holiday prank turned tradition started with these glittery black coal candies. I'd slip them into my little ones' Christmas stockings and watch their faces transform from total confusion to pure joy when they tasted the sweet creamy fudge. These days, everyone in our house actually wants to land on the naughty list to get some!
The Clever Secret Behind Coal Candy
Getting this fudge to look like authentic coal comes down to nailing that deep black shade and sparkly appearance. I found that white chocolate gives us the creamiest base while letting the black color really pop. Don't stress about adding food coloring – the shocked looks on everyone's faces make it totally worth it.
What You'll Need
- For the Fudge Base:
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 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
- Set Up Your Space
- Start by lining your pan with parchment paper and let some hang over the sides. You'll thank me later when you can lift the whole thing out easily.
- Create the Base
- Throw your white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter, vanilla and salt into the saucepan. Keep your heat low and don't stop stirring. We want smooth and creamy, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Turn It Black
- Now for the fun part. Pull the pan off the heat and slowly add your black food coloring until you've got that perfect coal look. Mix it super well so there aren't any streaks.
- The Final Touch
- Pour everything into your prepared pan, smooth the top, and scatter those sparkly sprinkles all over. Let it chill in the fridge overnight because good things can't be rushed.
My Best Tips
Always grab gel food coloring since it's stronger and won't mess up your texture. Don't skimp on the stirring even when your arm feels like it'll fall off because nobody wants chunky fudge. Want a cool trick? After it sets, warm your hands a bit and shape pieces into rough coal-like chunks before adding extra sprinkles.
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Make It Your Own
We've played around with tons of versions through the years. Add a splash of peppermint and you've got a fancy chocolate mint treat. Try some almond extract for a grown-up twist. My favorite? A tiny bit of licorice flavor really sells the coal illusion. Sometimes I'll make different batches with various flavors and turn it into a guessing game.
Gifting and Storage
These little treasures look amazing in clear bags with red ribbon. They're perfect for stockings or holiday cookie plates. They'll stay good in your fridge for two weeks, but at my house they never stick around that long. You can freeze them up to six months if you want to get ahead during the crazy holiday rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why isn't my fudge firming up?
It might need more cooking time. Stir it over low heat until the water's gone and the mixture gets smoother and thicker.
- → How do I fix soft fudge?
Reheat it in a pan with a bit of water. Stir constantly as it thickens again—it should set properly this time.
- → How much black should it be?
Add food coloring till it resembles coal. Dark chocolate makes this easier since you need less dye compared to white chocolate.
- → Why is melting taking forever?
Keep the heat on low. High heat risks burning the chocolate. Stay patient and keep stirring till it's fully melted.
- → How long should it chill for?
Wait at least 8 hours. Overnight's even better for firmer fudge. Rushing it can lead to squishy pieces.
Conclusion
Transform simple ingredients into fudge that looks like coal. A playful holiday treat that's creamy, sweet, and fun to gift or serve.