The Life of Jennifer Dawn: Coca-Cola Fudge Recipe

Monday, December 12, 2016

Coca-Cola Fudge Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone #SmartWayToShareJoy #CollectiveBias

Looking for an easy homemade gift idea? The holidays are the perfect time to mix up a scrumptious batch of homemade fudge. Tucked away inside a decorative tin, it makes a thoughtful gift for neighbors, family, and friends. I love making homemade gifts--especially the edible kind--and this recipe for chocolate fudge calls for a secret ingredient that's sure to provide a tasty surprise!
What's the surprising ingredient in this chocolate fudge recipe? Well, I'll give you a clue. I grew up with my mom using it as the "secret" ingredient in a marinade and in a recipe for a frosted chocolate cake. Any guesses? It's Coca-Cola! Yes, this batch of ooey-gooey fudge has Coca-Cola cooked right in.
Recently, I modified my mother's traditional cake recipe for Coca-Cola Cake to make Coca-Cola Cupcakes. What is it about Coca-Cola that makes baked goods so sugary sweet and moist?! And since I know it's delicious baked in chocolate cake and cupcakes, I decided to try it in fudge and make Coca-Cola Fudge. I love adding my own twist to my family's beloved recipes, and it just wouldn't be Christmas without a batch of homemade fudge. Paired with a glass of Coca-Cola, it's a treat that even Santa would choose over milk and cookies. Wanting to enjoy this holiday treat for yourself? Keep reading for the full recipe!

For my family, it also wouldn't seem like the holidays without an icy cold Coca-Cola. It's been a beverage staple at our holiday meals for as long as I can remember--right up there with the sweet tea and my momma's Christmas punch. Poured over ice or enjoyed straight out of the nostalgic glass bottles, it's a holiday favorite! Perhaps that stems from growing up here in the South with several of those years being spent in Atlanta where Coca-Cola is headquartered.
Back when my sister and I were kids, my mom recorded some of our favorite holiday movies onto a VHS tape. Anyone remember watching Mickey's Christmas Carol, the 1964 version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or A Muppet Family Christmas? Along with several holiday movies, she also recorded the commercials. At the time, having those on the tape probably seemed like an inconvenience. Years later, they are just part of the recording's charm. She had the tape transferred to a DVD several years ago and now my kids can continue to enjoy those classic films year after year--commercials and all. One of the commercials is for Coca-Cola. It shows an elf tacking up a Christmas countdown poster with Santa's beard on it. Anyone remember that one? My sister and I would always want a taste of Coca-Cola after watching that commercial. Kinda like wanting chocolate when watching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. That's a story for a different day though. I guess the commercial was effective because it worked it's magic on us. All of this to say that our family history with Coca-Cola at the holidays goes way back.

That's why I'm loving the limited edition holiday packaging for Coca-Cola this holiday season. It features a vintage Santa and sweet polar bears that bring back memories of holidays from years ago. And now I get to share those memories and traditions with my own children.
It just made sense to pair two of our holiday favorites--fudge and Coca-Cola--together into one tasty treat. I made a run out to Family Dollar to grab my "secret" ingredient and tested a couple different variations. The whole family was very eager to be my taste testers and tell me which they thought was the best. That's the recipe I'm sharing with you today. From our family to yours, here's our recipe for Coca-Cola fudge!

Coca-Cola Fudge
Ingredients
  • 1 container (7 oz) marshmallow cream
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2/3 cups evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup Coca-Cola
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 bag (12 oz) chocolate chips (You can use semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
  1. In a large pot, combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, Coca-Cola, and salt.
  2. Bring to a full boil, stirring constantly over medium heat.
  3. Boil the mixture for five minutes still stirring constantly. Tip: It is very important for it to boil for the full five minutes. Set a timer for this step.
  4. Remove from heat. Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.
  5. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  6. Pour into a buttered 8" pan. Let the fudge cool and set completely. Slice and enjoy!
I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine did! Make up a batch to gift to others this holiday season or just add it to the table at your own holiday festivities. Either way, it's sure to bring on many chocolate-smudged smiles this season!
Shop!
For more tasty recipes, gift ideas, and ways to save this holiday season, visit the Family Dollar on their website, Facebook, or Pinterest. It's a great place to shop the limited edition holiday Coca-Cola packaging to enjoy with your own batch of Coca-Cola Fudge.

More baking inspiration!
Love this fudge recipe? Enjoy another treat with Coca-Cola baked inside! Click here for my recipe for moist and delicious Coca-Cola Cupcakes.

Happy holiday baking!

27 comments:

  1. Oh my now I need dessert! This fudge looks just scrumptious. I agree, I think growing up in the South too, Coca-Cola was such a part of my childhood too. {client}

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can you use diet coke or coke zero for this

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never had diet coke or coke zero. I can't use artificial sweeteners of any kind. They give me horrible migraines! Even ones supposedly derived from "natural sugar."

      I lessened the sugar in this fudge recipe as opposed to how I usually make fudge to compensate for the sugar in the Coca-Cola. Using something else may cause it to not taste right or set firmly because you'd be creating a different chemical reaction when heating it up. (The science geek in me is coming out.) It's always worth a try though. I'd be curious to know how it turns out. Be sure to come back and tell me if you give it a whirl.

      The recipe listed above has been tried and tested many, many times. I can attest to it turning out great just as it is written. :) Happy cooking!

      Delete
  3. Do you have a printable version of this fudge? thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Guess you aren't answering questions

      Delete
    2. The blog post itself is printable. You can right-click on the screen and hit print. If you do not want to print the entire blog post, you can select to print just the page with the recipe. Enjoy!

      Delete
  4. Well, lots of us need a printable version of this. Pleaseeeeeee.........

    ReplyDelete
  5. Please advise - what is Marshmallow cream?
    I live in South AFrica and would love to try this.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! This is an example of marshmallow cream. http://amzn.to/2pBEuD7

      There are recipes floating around the internet on how to make your own marshmallow cream. If at all possible, it is much easier to just purchase it, though.

      Delete
  6. Do you think Pepsi would work as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pepsi and Coca-Cola have different ingredients. I can't guarantee that it would taste right using Pepsi. Here in the South, Coca-Cola Cake is time-honored dessert. I know Coca-Cola is great in baking. That's how I knew that it would be delicious in fudge. I cooked and taste-tested multiple ways to make fudge with Coca-Cola to come up with this recipe. My kids and mom helped out in the test kitchen...such a rough job. LOL! ;) This is a no-fail, delicious recipe...just the way it's written. Trust me on this. I personally wouldn't make the substitution, but you are welcome to try.

      Delete
  7. Does the coca-cola flavor become distinctive? Or is it just a hint of its taste?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The chocolate is the distinct flavor with hints of Coca-Cola. This is like the fudge version of old-fashioned Coca-Cola cake which is popular here in the South.

      Delete
  8. Wow, this sounds awesome. Can't wait to try this at holiday baking time! Thanks from one Jennifer to another!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Everything goes better with Coca Cola!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow!!! This is amazing. Pure curiosity drove me to try this. The saturation of sugar gives it a wonderful set and the coca cola gives it such a robust flavour. The coke does for fudge what chocolate does for a beef chilli. I am quite sure coca cola has never been spoken of with such integrity. Marshmallow cream / Fluff is hard to come by in Australia so made some in my thermomix. The fudge is a winner and the recipe is perfect. I can't wait to play around with it more and add other flavours in. Thanks for this winning recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This fudge is awesome; however, I have made it twice and it has not set correctly just stays a little too gooey... any suggestion on what I may be doing wrong

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Jack! I do have a suggestion for that. It sounds like the mixture of marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk is not cooking at a high enough temperature for the correct amount of time. The mixture needs to come to a hard boil which means even when you stir it, the mixture still boils. It needs to cook at a hard boil for every bit of five minutes. That's why I suggested even setting a timer. It's important to stir it constantly through this so it doesn't scorch though. Wearing a mitt would be advised since it can tend to splatter. Many people use candy thermometers for this step to ensure that they have the mixture at the correct temperature. I find it simpler to let it reach a hard boil and cook it five minutes from there. Remove it from heat and then add your chocolate chips followed up by the vanilla. I hope that helps. I should also add that the humidity where you live can affect fudge setting too. Avoid making it on a humid day if setting tends to be a problem. Good luck! I hope your next batch is perfection!

      Delete
    2. HI Jennifer, I make my fudge the very same way except for the coke, I am sure that makes it good. I don't boil the marshmallow cream with the sugar, milk, etc. I add the marshmallow cream,choc. chips and vanilla after it boils this helps it to set up much faster and much smoother, try that sometimes and see if you like it. My fudge turns out very very smooth no bumps or ruffles. I make it with black walnuts at Christmas for gifts. You add a 1/2 cup of any type of nuts you like when you add the marshmallow cream, etc. Stir it until all dissolved and pour in a buttered dish, I use a 9 x 13 dish and it comes out a nice size for gifts. I plan to make the fudge tomorrow. Thanks for the recipe

      Delete
  12. I just tried this, and it is delicious! Was a little concerned as I have always added marshmallow cream after cooking. I believe it's creamier this way. Thanks for a great new recipe! Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think I might use Cherry Coke!

    ReplyDelete
  14. HI Jennifer,
    This recipe sounds great.My question,the only butter is in the pan? Most recipes I read has lots of butter in it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looking for a dry crunchy fudge. Have any other recipes ?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey Jennifer, so I was gonna try this fudge for Jordan's 2nd Annual Christmas Fudge (it's a thing now). So most fudge recipes have butter in them, and I was just wondering if I could possibly add a 1/2 cup of butter to boil with the mixture? And if so, what adjustments would I have to make, if any?
    Waiting to hear from you soon!
    Thanks! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Could this "Coca-Cola Fudge Recipe "be doubled"?
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  18. I cant wait to try this fudge recipe as well as the cupcakes. I'll let you know when I make them. Thanks Jennifer!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This looks amazing . NOT a coca-cola fan but for fudge will try anything. Just made creamsicle and butterscotch. Will buy Coke tomm. I will also try the cake and cupcakes. I will try it with Orange Crush and Cream Soda just because I love the flavors. Will let you know how they turn out. When I have the ingredients. We don't gave a store in our town but a convenience one. With little in it. So excited. THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge with us all

    ReplyDelete

Each and every one of your comments means so much to me. I love to hear from friends both old and new. Thanks for taking the time to stop by my little corner of the world and thanks for taking the time to let me know you were here.

Subscribe