Mexican Orange Fudge Recipe

Recipe Pin

One afternoon, struck by a craving for something sweet, I wanted to unleash my inner master chef and create a treat for myself. So, while searching for an easy and simple dessert to satisfy my sweet tooth, I stumbled upon a recipe for Mexican Orange Fudge.

What caught my attention was that it just had five ingredients and luckily everything was available in my kitchen’s pantry. So, I decided to give this fudge a shot and satiate my sweet tooth. Let me tell you, this is one of the easiest desserts I have ever made. It is so delicious that I just couldn’t just stop at one piece.

As the name suggests, the predominant flavor of orange makes this fudge even more interesting. But don’t mistake this chocolate recipe. It is made of milk as a base. Moreover, it has a smooth, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Ever since then, Mexican Orange Fudge has become our go-to dessert for any occasion at home. And by occasions, I mean even weekends; those are celebrations in themselves when we indulge in this irresistible treat because none of us can ever get enough of it.

So, here I am with this simple and easy recipe, which requires just a handful of ingredients. Follow the recipe with some tiny details to be kept in mind, and you are in for a real sweet treat.

Equipments Required

Saucepan: You will need a heavy-bottomed saucepan to roast the milk powder and then make the orange-milk powder fudge mixture.
Wooden Spoon: I use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients.
Sharp Knife: You will need a sharp knife to chop the almonds.
Chopping Board: While I use a wooden chopping board to chop the nuts, you can also use a plastic board for the same
A Small Plate: Small plate or small bowl could be used to collect the roasted milk powder.
Baking Dish: While I generally use a baking dish to set this fudge, you can use a tray with some depth or any molds to set this fudge.

Mexican Orange Fudge Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you make 2 servings. You can increase the quantities of the ingredients to make more.

1 Cup Milk (evaporated or dried milk): You can also use soy milk powder as an alternative.
½ Cup Orange Juice: You can also use packaged orange juice instead of fresh juice.
1 Tbsp Orange Rind (grated): You can use lemon zest as a substitute.
1 Tbsp Almonds (chopped): Almonds can easily be substituted with hazelnuts or macadamias.
6 Tbsp Sugar: This recipe calls for regular white sugar, which can be substituted with powdered or granulated sugar. Non-sweeteners like stevia can also be used to make it sugar-free.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
5 Minutes	40 Minutes	45 Hour

How To Make Mexican Orange Fudge At Home

Step 1

Dry roast the milk powder in a heavy-bottomed saucepan until warm. Once it is roasted, transfer the powder to a plate and let it cool.

Step 2

In the same saucepan, add 2 tbsp of sugar and stir it constantly on the high flame until it melts and turns brown.

Step 3

Mix some orange juice to the melted sugar well until well combined.

Step 4

Now add the roasted milk powder to the pan and mix it with the orange syrup until well combined.

Step 5

Add the remaining sugar to the pan, stirring constantly until the sugar blends well with the mixture.

Step 6

Cook on low heat until the mixture thickens and starts separating from the side of the pan. Then, add the chopped almonds to the mixture.

Step 7

Lastly, add rind and mix it well.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Refrigerate till completely set.

Step 9

Cut into squares when chilled.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I prefer brushing the sides of the pan with water to prevent the sugar crystals from sticking to the side of the pan.
I also avoid stirring the mixture continuously during cooking, as this could result in sugar crystallization and make the mixture grainy.
I usually check the doneness of the fudge by dropping a small bite-sized piece in a glass of cold water. I know it’s done if it forms a soft ball and flattens between my fingers. If not, I repeat this step after giving it a few more minutes of cooking in the pan.
I also avoid scraping the sides of the pan or Spoon used for stirring while transferring the fudge to the baking dish, as they might contain the grainier layer of the fudge.
It is generally stated that fudge-making can be sensitive to humidity. Hence, I prefer cooking the fudge for a little longer time on humid days to ensure it sets properly.
Lastly, make sure that you cool the fudge in a nice chill and dry place to avoid condensation that can affect the texture of your fudge.

FAQs About Mexican Orange Fudge

Why did your Mexican Orange Fudge not get hard?

Your Mexican Orange Fudge will not get hard if you haven’t given it enough time to cook. If the cooking time is too short, water won’t evaporate, which will make the fudge soft. You can fix it by freezing it overnight to bring it to a little hard consistency.

Why is your Orange Fudge too hard?

When you cook your fudge for too long, the water from the fudge evaporates completely. The lack of moisture in the fudge makes it hard. You can fix this by adding a little milk or more orange juice to get the desired consistency. Beat the fudge until it loses its glossy sheen, as overbeating also causes the fudge to become rock-hard.

Why is your Orange Fudge chewy?

If the fudge is chewy, you haven’t cooked it to a softball stage. The trick to knowing that your fudge is done is to drop a bit of it in cold water. It is ready when it turns to a soft ball that easily flattens between the fingers. However, a chewy fudge can be fixed by reheating it in the pan at a slightly higher temperature to get the desired consistency and texture.

Why is your Orange Fudge dry?

The major reason behind a dry fudge is the crystal formation of sugar. If the sugar crystals are large then they result in a coarse and dry fudge. The key to smooth and creamy fudge is the small sugar crystals formation.

Why did your Fudge get grainy?

When sugar crystallizes, it results in grainy fudge. To prevent this, swirl the pan gently instead of stirring it with a spoon. This helps maintain the fudge’s smooth texture without causing it to seize up.

Why is your Fudge having a bitter taste?

If you use a pan that is too thin, then the chances of your sugar burning become higher. So make sure, you use a heavy-bottomed vessel for making a fudge.

Why didn’t your Fudge set after getting cooled?

If your Fudge has become super sticky or didn’t set after being chilled, it is because it hasn’t been cooked properly. You can prevent this by using a candy thermometer, which helps cook the fudge to a specified temperature, which is usually between 234 and 239°F.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Whether it is made of chocolate, fruits, or nuts, no fudge can be considered to be a healthy choice as it is rich in calories. Hence, I would recommend that you have it in moderation.

Also, I have added the nutritional values of this recipe for your reference in the table given below:

Calories	554 kcal
Fat	11 g
Saturated Fat	5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	1 g
Monounsaturated Fat	4 g
Cholesterol	29 mg
Sodium	97 mg
Total Carbohydrates	108 g
Dietary Fiber	1 g
Total Sugar	103 mg
Protein	10 g
Vitamin A	669 IU
Vitamin C	70 mg
Calcium	339 mg
Iron	1 mg
Potassium	666 mg

This Mexican Orange Fudge is absolutely suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free people. Very few ingredients are used in this recipe, and none of them interfere with their diets.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: People following a vegan diet can use soy milk powder and make this recipe completely vegan-friendly.
Keto-Friendly Diet: Oranges are a no-no for people following a keto diet. However, they can try this recipe using lemon zest and lemon juice as an alternative. Sugar can be replaced with monk fruit sugar. Also, milk powder can be substituted by coconut milk powder, and this recipe will become completely keto-friendly.

Storing This Recipe

Countertop: Once the fudge is set in the refrigerator, it can be stored in an airtight container and kept at room temperature. It can last for 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature.
Refrigerator: I usually store the fudge in an airtight container in the fridge because I like chilling it. It stays for about 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Freezer: When I want the fudge to last longer, I store it in an airtight container in the freezer. It stays frozen for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With This Recipe

While I love having this Mexican Orange Fudge on its own, my family enjoys it with Hot Custard, Coffee or tea, a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream, or just a simple Hot Chocolate.

Printable Version

More Recipes That You Can Try

Homemade Boiled Custard Recipe — Boiled Custard Recipe

Whipped Peanut Butter Recipe — Boiled Custard Recipe

Conclusion

This delightful Mexican Orange Fudge recipe infuses milk, sugar, and citrusy flavors from fresh oranges. It is made with a handful of ingredients, and by following simple steps and techniques, you can create delectable fudge for yourself and your loved ones.

I have found an easy way to satiate my sweet tooth, and now it is your turn to enjoy this delight. After relishing this fudge, please share your experience with this simple fudge recipe in the comment section below.

Mexican Orange Fudge Recipe

Equipments Required

Mexican Orange Fudge Ingredients & Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time