Caramelized Pecan and Sea Salt Fudge

This caramelized pecan and sea salt fudge is the perfect holiday treat. It comes together super easy and it’s sweet and savory flavors will explode in your mouth.

F-U-D-G-E!!!!! Who doesn’t just love this little bite size snack treat? Honestly, I struggle with just having only one. I’m also a huge fan of this peanut butter fudge too. Fudge is an excellent holiday treat! This caramelized pecan and sea salt fudge makes the perfect dessert to take to grandma’s, a work potluck or gift to neighbors/friends. I made this for my family at Thanksgiving and it was a hit! It is so easy to make and this variation is a perfect twist with exploding flavors.

Ingredients needed to make

• Dark Chocolate Chips– can be any type of chocolate chips. I prefer the dark but you can use mini’s, semi-sweet or milk chocolate to switch up the flavor. I’m using the Enjoy Life brand.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk– this is a MUST ingredient. You can not use fat free sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream because the consistency will not be the same, will not set well and it will taste different.
• Pecans– you can use any type of nut you like but the pecan gives it a sweet/savory flavor.
• Water– this is essential to combine with sugar.
• Sugar– can use a sugar substitute such as swerve or monk fruit if you’d prefer. I’m using cane sugar for this recipe.
• Sea Salt– helps with flavor.

How to make

Over medium heat, combine water, sugar and half a teaspoon of sea salt. Without stirring, let syrup cook until golden color, then remove from heat.

Transfer syrup mixture to bowl and toss pecan halves in. Mix together coating each pecan.

Place on a cookie sheet until hardened. At this time, you want to line a baking dish with parchment paper.

On low heat, pour chocolate chips into pan and continually stirring until melted. You must continually stir so chocolate does not burn.

Take off heat, then combine, sweetened condensed milk and remaining sea salt stirring until all is combined.

Pour into lined baking dish and smooth it out so it is all even.

Place pecan halves in columns and rows.

Chill in refrigerator for an hour, add additional sea salt if you’d like then slice and serve.

Why I love this recipe

• Super easy to whip up and put together (great last minute gift or dessert idea)
• Taste amazing
• Minimal ingredients
• Easy to customize if need too
• Sweet and savory flavor

FAQ’s

Does fudge need to be refrigerated? No, it does not. It can be kept on the counter at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. It will last a good few weeks refrigerated. In either place, it needs to be kept in an airtight container to ensure it doesn’t spoil or grow mold. If it does, throw it out.

Can you freeze fudge? Yes!!! This is a great way to preserve and enjoy throughout the year. It will need to be stored in an airtight container or freezer friendly bag. It can last up to 3 months.

How do you unthaw fudge? Let it sit out on the counter for an hour to soften, then enjoy!

Can you make this recipe using the microwave? You can heat the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk at 30 second intervals. You want to take out and stir before putting back in for another 30 seconds until all combined and melted.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk? No, it will not turn out the same. It has to be sweetened condensed for this recipe. it also needs to be regular or coconut sweetened condensed milk not fat free.

Can this fudge be made dairy free? Vegan? Yes and Yes! You can replace the sweetened condensed milk with sweetened coconut condensed milk. You can also use Enjoy Life chocolate chips that are dairy free. This recipe is made with them.

Variations to the fudge

For the topping, if you are not using pecans you can use:

Walnuts

Almonds

Peanuts

For the chocolate chips, you can use:

Milk chocolate chips

Semi sweet chocolate chips

Mini chocolate chips

More Christmas time recipes:

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

Sunflower Butter Buckeye Balls

Peppermint Christmas Bark

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