Homemade Maple Pecan Fudge Recipe

Pecan fudge with maple flavoring layered dessert is perfect for the holidays. Made with any chopped nuts on top of a butter caramel like base it’s a family favorite treat we all love. If you made our Microwave Pumpkin Fudge during Thanksgiving and want one for Christmas time, this is it!

Pecan Pie Fudge

Now there are two ways you could do this, below is homemade from scratch with a simple refrigerated or 3 ingredient pie crust as the base. You could skip the bottom all together but it creates somewhat of a copycat pecan pie piece. Layer upon layer of goodness.

For a quicker method you could follow our Cookie Mix Fudge with sugar cookie mix. Add a dash of maple extract and then top with your candied nuts on top. You don’t have to stick with one type either. Love hazelnuts too? Crush some of those, mix together and press both on top for added texture and flavors.

If you love nut holiday treats this is a great one. Many times I will toast them myself or buy a larger bag to make a batch of this to enjoy, one to share, and some Pecan Turtles too. Making a tin full of goodies is what we do each year to share and add something new each season. This was one of our favorite bites.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust refrigerated, room temperature
• 2 c white chocolate chips
• Candied pecans chopped, or whole
  • more or less depending on whether you want to add some into the middle layer for more of a nutty flavor
  • you could use other varieties or a mix of the two, this is How to Roast Hazelnuts too
• 1/4 c corn syrup
• Brown sugar
• 2 tbsp evaporated milk
• Butter
• Molasses
• Maple extract is better than maple syrup
• Sea salt

This pecan fudge recipe is not quite as easy as How to Make White Chocolate Fudge in the Microwave but from scratch is always best if you do have time to do it for sure. You could easily make a few varieties with the same ingredients as the base but different toppings. From chocolate chips to dried fruits and of course nuts are classic choices.

What is fudge usually made of?

Sugar, butter, milk, chocolate, flavoring of choice and some love a bit of sea salt to bring out the taste sprinkled on the top or incorporated into the batter itself. Beyond that there are tons of variations to the basics.

Like our Fudge with Velveeta you want to melt all the ingredients together so it is smooth and the sugar crystals dissolve. This will allow it to solidify better when it cools.

How to Make Fudge on Stovetop

• Line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper.
• Place the rolled out pie crust in the baking dish and press in to fit the shape of the dish.
• Use a paring knife to cut excess pie dough, leaving just the flat bottom of the dish covered with uncooked pie crust. Place in a preheated oven for 9 minutes, baking until lightly browned
• In a saucepan, add the white chocolate chips, brown sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, butter and molasses.
• Stir together over medium heat. Keep mixing until everything melts together and is completely combined. Wait until fudge turns a homogeneous color.
• Remove from the heat and add the maple extract and salt, stirring together.
• Once the pie crust is out of the oven, pour the fudge mixture on top of the crust.
• Spread evenly. Pour the chopped pecans all across the top of the fudge, pressing them lightly with your hands.
  • melting chocolate chips in microwave is easy in a bowl if you want to drizzle some on the top
• Let cool at room temperature or in the fridge for 1 hour before cutting into squares.
• Wrap all leftovers once cooled with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container on the counter.

When it comes to storage there are a few options. The best is at room temperature in an area that is out of the sunlight and won’t get too warm or it will melt. Like our Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge it will harden in the fridge but as with other candy recipes it will help it last longer. The texture will just change and not be so melt in your mouth tender.

Why is my butter pecan fudge crumbly?

If the fudge mixture is cooked to too high of a temperature (above the soft-ball stage, 234° F to 240° F it can cause the sugar to crystallize too quickly, leading to a crumbly texture. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature precisely. It also needs to completely cool.

How to Store Leftover Fudge

Always allow to cool completely first. Then cut it into small, evenly-sized pieces to make it easier to serve ad also helps with portion control. Wrap each piece of fudge individually in wax paper, parchment paper, or plastic wrap. This prevents the pieces from sticking together and makes them easy to handle.

1. Place the individually wrapped pieces in an airtight container with a tight sealing lid is crucial to keeping out air and moisture. Air can affect the texture and freshness of the pieces.
2. If you’re stacking multiple layers in the container, separate each layer with sheets of parchment paper. This helps prevent the pieces from sticking to each other and makes it easier to remove them.
3. They are best stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Avoid refrigerating as it can become overly firm and lose its creaminess. This way they can stay fresh for up to two weeks or even longer.
4. To keep track of freshness, label the container with the date when it was made or purchased. This helps you know when it’s time to enjoy the fudge at its best quality.

If you need to store for an extended period, consider freezing. Wrap individual tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place in an airtight container or freezer bag. It stay good for several months this way. When you want to enjoy it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.