I suddenly got this brilliant idea that I wanted to make Red Velvet fudge. So I sat down and googled it, hoping for a great, no fail recipe.
Those words are very important to a bad recipe follower like myself.
No such luck.
I couldnt even find a match for 'red velvet fudge'.
I was totally dejected.
Then it hit me... I could create a recipe!
At the very least, significantly modify an existing one.
I started here, with Martha's Foolproof Holiday Fudge.
I added food coloring and used white chocolate chips and red cherry flavored chips.
Talk about significant modifications. *snort*
Thing is, this recipe is just not my favorite. It was good, but not mind blowing.
(side by side comparison of the two recipes I made... I love the texture on the second)
So then I found a recipe on allrecipes.com. I read it twenty seven times. I read every comment.
I figured, if I could make a recipe for red velvet fudge, like real red velvet fudge, it would be from this one.
Ingredients:
2 cups white sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp red gel food coloring
*Next time I make this I am going to try 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1/2 cup sweet condensed milk... I think it could handle a little more sweetness!
Using a 5x9 pan (typically same size as banana bread pan, if you want thinner pieces, use 8x8) line pan with wax parchment paper or wax paper. Make sure you have some extra on all four sides.
Combine sugar, cocoa, buttermilk, sweet condensed milk (if you choose to add it), and food coloring in a non stick pan. (I used a big pot) Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, but do not scrape down the sides. (to avoid getting crystallized sugar in fudge)
Using a well calibrated thermometer, make sure the fudge gets up to 238 degrees.
Reduce heat and allow fudge to simmer. DO NOT STIR. At all. Like seriously dont even touch the pan.
Allow fudge to cool to 110 degrees and add butter and vanilla.
Beat by hand or use electric mixer until fudge loses its sheen. (I used an electric mixer for 20 minutes. Not kidding. Some folks say this stage takes 3-5 minutes.)
Place in prepared pan and allow to cool, usually 1-2 hours.
This recipe yielded 25 small squares.
If you ever try this, please let me know what you think!
Happy Holidays!
***
Happy Note to Share:
I had read that a great way to clean your pot after baking fudge is to add some milk, reheat the pot, then enjoy a wonderfully delicious cup cocoa... or in our case, Red Velvet Hot Cocoa!!
Yes, I really did just say Red Velvet Hot Cocoa. I actually did that and can attest to its wonderfulness!!
This fudge is gorgeous red creamy perfection. Great for Valentine's Day too! Love the re velvet hot cocoa.
Posted by: Lora | Dec 10, 2010 at 05:20 AM
Wow! Divine!
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet | Dec 10, 2010 at 05:35 AM
OMG!! I can't think of any fudge more fitting to the holidays♥ I would LOVE to make these for Christmas :D
Buttermilk isn't sold here in Japan, is there any way I can replace it with something else??
xoxo
Ai
Posted by: Ai | Dec 10, 2010 at 05:49 AM
Gorgeous! I've always loved ♥Red Velvet♥ everything...now I can add fudge to the list! Fantastic Amanda!
Posted by: Wenderly | Dec 10, 2010 at 06:07 AM
Awesome! I like the color from the first batch.
Just a thought...I'm going to be using red candy melts to make red fondant (for Colton's rocket cake)...I'm thinking you could use them to add depth of flavor and color to the second version of fudge you made. It would certainly add that sweetness!
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1383896427 | Dec 10, 2010 at 06:12 AM
That looks pretty festive! I never would have thought 'red velvet fudge' before!
Posted by: Renee | Dec 10, 2010 at 06:18 AM
Love the look of texture on the second as well, awesome job! :)
Posted by: Courtney | Dec 10, 2010 at 06:26 AM
Looks yummy. :) I was wondering if you had a red velvet cake recipe. I am in the mood to make one and haven't seen one that I like just yet. :)
Posted by: Joy | Dec 10, 2010 at 06:28 AM
your presentation is lovely!
& of course the fudge…i am a fudge lover! thanks!
Posted by: linda | Dec 10, 2010 at 06:53 AM
Beautiful! Love the color of the fudge. Whew! Sounds like a lot of work though. That's pretty neat about the milk afterward to make the cocoa. Yummm
Posted by: Libby | Dec 10, 2010 at 07:19 AM
I just love your posts. This looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing your ideas and recipes. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Kim @ Quit Eating Out {Recipes to Make Dining Out a Choice, Not a Chore} | Dec 10, 2010 at 07:31 AM
Some great information in this post! I love seeing people experiment and post their results - way to go!
Posted by: Stephanie | Dec 10, 2010 at 07:36 AM
Look at you following recipes & showing us both versions - love that. I would opt for the second batch too. The color is more true to red velvet & the texture does look dreamy. I bet the other is great but looks more like a giant Starburst! You rock girl :) xo
Posted by: marla {family fresh cooking} | Dec 10, 2010 at 07:44 AM
Looks delicious!
Posted by: Tracy | Dec 10, 2010 at 07:55 AM
I'm not a fan of red velvet cake but this looks yummy.
Posted by: Elizabeth | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:08 AM
Girl...I am in love with the fudge. GORGEOUS!!
I agree, the texture on the second one is much more red velvet-ey...the color, too.
You are too cool for school.
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:25 AM
Wooooooow! I'm just embarking on the adventure of Fudge (got a candy that falls inbetween taffy and very firm caramel!!).
These bites look fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Catherine | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:30 AM
Great idea!!! Love it!
Posted by: Maria | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:40 AM
Ai, you can substitute buttermilk by placing 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a cup and adding enough milk to be 1 cup. Then let it stand for 10 minutes until the milk starts to curdle. Stir and use as buttermilk.
Amanda, the second fudge looks perfect. Rich and delicious and still tasting of cocoa. Love.
Posted by: Shaina | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:46 AM
Wow - I love it! I will bookmark this recipe; they are beautiful! Can't wait to try this!
Posted by: Kristen | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:57 AM
Okay...I love the Red Velvet Fudge recipe idea...and I adore the presentation with the Holly paper and the wooden box....but the concept of the Red Velvet Cocoa, is something I truly want to create!! Sounds heavenly!
Posted by: Gwendolyn McBee | Dec 10, 2010 at 10:11 AM
I must live under a baker's rock because I have never had red velvet anything. Seriously, no cake, cupcakes, cookies or this lovely looking fudge. Kudos to you for creating the recipe!
Posted by: Paula | Dec 10, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Such beautiful fudge! Red Velvet in fudge form is SO PERFECT for Christmas!
Posted by: Sue | Dec 10, 2010 at 12:17 PM
Love your creativity and resourcefulness!
Posted by: Michelle (What's Cooking with Kids) | Dec 10, 2010 at 12:30 PM
So many awesome ideas... I will definitely attempt this recipe when I get home from college! Oh how I miss having access to a kitchen and all my baking supplies!
Posted by: Via | Dec 10, 2010 at 12:35 PM
I'm totally impressed and will be sucking off your cool for sure this Christmas- great gift idea!
Posted by: Momma McCall | Dec 10, 2010 at 01:03 PM
That looks wonderful!! I'm definitely going to have to try that. So pretty!
Posted by: Angela Gifford | Dec 10, 2010 at 01:32 PM
Okay... I have to admit that the redness of the first ones creeps me out a bit. It's too... "Fake food" looking to me. Just being honest. BUT, those second red velvet ones... Oh!!! I'd bite into one of those in a second - and you know I'm a picky person when it comes to anything chocolatey! Very creative, though, Amanda!
Posted by: susan | Dec 10, 2010 at 02:07 PM
Your Red velvet fudge looks and sounds delicious. Can't wait to try it.
Posted by: Sharon | Dec 10, 2010 at 03:07 PM
Does this turn your mouth and teeth red when you eat it?
Posted by: Georgia | Dec 10, 2010 at 03:16 PM
I've heard of and like Oreo fudge but never red velvet! Have u had it? Or just decide it would be good(I'll reread in case u answered this.)
Anyway, I'm going.to.just give you my husbands.comment when I showed him your post. I quote...whoa, that looks.so good it'd hurt....and it does.
Posted by: SweetSugarBelle | Dec 10, 2010 at 04:48 PM
I love red velvet cake and cupcakes, so I am so excited about this!!! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Kelly | Dec 10, 2010 at 06:38 PM
Another great specialty from our very own mommy!
Posted by: Healthy Foods | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:25 PM
Those 2nd red velvet fudge looks yummy!!!I only wish I had half the imagination that u have Amanda...I cannot think of any new ideas...I can only copy : (
Posted by: Rebecca | Dec 10, 2010 at 11:11 PM
So weird. I was looking at foodgawker and saw someone made red velvet hot cocoa and then i thought about all the hot chocolate on a stick posts recently and wondered if there was a red velvet fudge recipe out there. and like you..found nothing. this could work! I just thought it would be neat and interesting to give away red velvet hot chocolate on a stick with maybe a cream cheese flavoured marshmallow. thanks for posting this recipe!
Posted by: Katrina | Dec 11, 2010 at 01:33 AM
I agree...the texture is more inviting on the second batch. Cute idea and it looks adorable wrapped in the holly tissue.
(And I loved the cake in your previous post!)
Posted by: Barbara | Dec 11, 2010 at 07:28 AM
Amanda,
I made this! It was absolutely DELICIOUS! Except I made it with the 1/2 c buttermilk and 1/2 swntd. cnd. milk. It was delicious! Perfect sweetness/chocolate balance. I do just have one issue, maybe you can help me. When I was at the "stirring til no sheen" part, it was fine. AS SOON AS I stopped stirring, and grabbed my pan to put it in, it got rock hard. I had to scrape it out and mesh it together in the pan. LOL. It was delicious still, but crumbly, like left out play-doh. What do you think went wrong?
Posted by: Kristin Morris | Dec 11, 2010 at 05:22 PM
Wow, I am seriously speachless. This has got to be one of the most creative fudges I have ever seen.
Posted by: Jenn@eatcakefordinner | Dec 11, 2010 at 10:53 PM
I may or may not consume embarrassing amounts of Red Velvet cake every year on my birthday when my mother-in-law makes me a the special cake! Can't imagine how good this fudge is! I've never made fudge...until now! Thanks for figuring this out for us! You're the best!
Posted by: Londa | Dec 11, 2010 at 11:10 PM
now i'm convinced--there's a red velvet version of every dessert possible. good for you for experimenting--both versions look luscious to me!
Posted by: grace | Dec 12, 2010 at 12:50 AM
hi, after seeing your blog, i made it immediately yesterday but i failed miserably. i am not good a blogging and had spent the whole day till late at night looking for a blog so i could share my pictures (http://schweetgigi.weebly.com/desserts.html). i also have the same question like Kristin Morris on regards to "stirring till no sheen". i hope to hear from you soon :)
Posted by: Schweetooth | Dec 12, 2010 at 01:05 AM
p.s. i realized my link included in the text doesn't work(!!) but it worked when clicking at "Posted by: Schweetooth" duh! i am so blur!
Posted by: Schweetooth | Dec 12, 2010 at 01:09 AM
I made the 1/2 sweet condensed milk and 1/2 buttermilk (with "fake" buttermilk since I didn't have any handy) and it turned out great. I took it to our Sunday School class party today and everyone loved it!
Posted by: Elizabeth | Dec 12, 2010 at 04:57 PM
red velvet fudge! brilliant and such a crowd pleaser. thanks for the idea and the recipe. :)
Posted by: allison [a for aubergine] | Dec 12, 2010 at 05:46 PM
This is just so brilliant!
Posted by: Kristen | Dec 12, 2010 at 10:13 PM
WoW! The idea is so refreshing, have to apply it in my baking! Thanks for this sharing this brilliant recipe, your a genius!
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Posted by: onceupona baker | Dec 13, 2010 at 07:37 AM
YUM!!! I can't wait to try this!!!! The bright red color of the first one is out of this world - it really did remind me of a fondant (like Crystal mentioned). The second one looks divine! My permanent post-partum tummy thanks you! :)
Posted by: Steafni | Dec 13, 2010 at 08:41 AM
Great idea. But does it really taste like red velvet? Or is it more the texture that is divine?
Posted by: Lori @ RecipeGirl | Dec 13, 2010 at 02:22 PM
What a fun idea for a treat! Love the bright red color. And what the looks of it, seems like it tastes super delish.
Posted by: Eliana | Dec 13, 2010 at 02:42 PM