Dirty Chai Spiced Fudge
I decided I wanted to make some Dirty Chai Spiced Fudge sometime before Christmas. And, I decided I wanted to make old-fashioned fudge. You know the kind that you have to use a candy thermometer and wait for certain temperatures and then beat the heck out of it. You know the ones that they don’t call “fool-proof”.
I’m a pretty good candy maker. I figured that it wouldn’t be a problem. Old-fashioned fudge, how hard can that be?
Well, I learned that there’s a reason old-fashioned fudge isn’t “fool-proof”. The first batch I made of this chai spiced old-fashioned fudge wasn’t fudge at all, but more like chewy caramels. Well, I cut that up, wrapped them individually in waxed paper, and sent them to work with my husband. They were delicious, but not the best idea to write a recipe that says “screw up the recipe and hope it comes out like caramels”.
So, back to the drawing board. I still liked the idea of chai spiced fudge. Yummy warming spices in fudgy goodness? What’s not to love. But, I also didn’t want a straight chocolate fudge. It seems to me that the chai spices would get lost under dark or even milk chocolate.
In the end, I really think this white chocolate based fudge is the prefect presentation for the chai spices. Use white chocolate chips
I give two methods to make the fudge, either in the microwave or on the stove top. Both are pretty easy. Either way you want to make sure that you don’t burn the chocolate mixture. My microwave is fairly powerful so I only need to microwave this for a total of 1 minute. I always check at 30 second intervals, because when I first got my new microwave I burned more than one batch of chocolate. So, I take it out and stir for a little while. Sometimes it doesn’t look done, but after stirring it all melts together perfectly.
What makes it “dirty” chai? The addition of espresso or coffee, in this case, espresso powder
The addition of vanilla bean paste
I used white chocolate chips for the base of the fudge. And, the chai spices are all mixed together in a small bowl ready to be used
Dirty Chai Spiced Fudge Recipe
Dirty Chai Spiced Fudge
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoons instant espresso powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch ground cloves
- 11 ounces white chocolate*
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Mix spices (espresso powder through cloves) together in a small bowl. Set chai spices aside.
- Spray an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Microwave method: Pour white chocolate and sweetened condensed milk into a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Heat on medium-high stirring at 30 second intervals for 1-3 minutes**, or until all chocolate is melted and incorporated into the mixture, being careful not to burn the mixture. Continue to step 5.
- Stove top method: In a heavy saucepan or over a double boiler, over low heat, melt chocolate into sweetened condensed milk. Remove from heat. Continue to step 5.
- Stir in vanilla and salt. Lightly mix in chai spices retaining the marbled look. Spread into the prepared pan, and chill in the fridge for 1 hour or until firm. Cut into squares.
- Fudge may be stored at room temperature or refrigerated.
Recipe Notes
*Use white chocolate chips or bars of white chocolate. If using bars, chop them into small chunks so that they melt easily.
**My microwave is fairly powerful so I only need to microwave this for a total of 1 minute. Make sure to stir for awhile so that all the chocolate melts into the milk.
kimberly.ann says
February 9, 2013 at 6:40 pmI have to laugh – I had the exact same battle while trying to create a pecan bourbon fudge. The old fashioned kind just wasn’t happening. After three attempts I had caramels, ice cream topping, and a huge mess. I, too, went with a white chocolate base which was delicious, but I’m determined to master the old fashioned kind one day.
I adore chai and these sound delicious – can’t wait to give them a try!
Cindy Kerschner (@writelane) says
February 9, 2013 at 9:30 pmSounds like an interesting taste combination Debi! thanks for sharing and linking back to Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!
narf77 says
February 10, 2013 at 1:26 amThis sounds delish…I wonder if I could veganise it? Shouldn’t be too hard as it’s really the flavours that matter…
Katherines Corner says
February 10, 2013 at 9:10 amwonderful flavor combo! Thank you for sharing at the hop xo
Debi says
February 11, 2013 at 3:38 pmI think you could totally make this vegan! I’d use canned coconut milk because it’s the thickest of the plant-based milks to begin with. Start with 1 can (about 14 oz or 1 3/4 cups) and add 2-4 tablespoons sugar (maple syrup or agave syrup). Cook over medium-low heat, stirring, and reduce by about 1/2. At that point you should have the 3/4 cup for the recipe. If you make it, please let me know how it goes. I bet it would be delish! 🙂
Katherine Martinelli says
February 13, 2013 at 2:01 pmLove love love this flavor combo! Wow.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
February 13, 2013 at 8:54 pmThis looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing – you’re being featured {again} tonight!
Kathy @FoodWineThyme says
March 15, 2013 at 7:19 pmI found your blog through TheFoodBlogNetwork and can’t wait to read more and try out some of the recipes.
Ryssa says
May 23, 2013 at 4:12 pmHow does it set up without marshmallow?
Debi says
May 23, 2013 at 4:21 pmIt’s kind of funny because I’ve been a vegetarian so long that I don’t even remember what the fudge with marshmallows tastes like. I’m sure there’s a texture difference, but because it has chocolate in it, which is solid at cooler temperatures, it gets hard from that. I’m sure that cooking the evaporated milk, even though just for a short while, is helping in the candy making process too.
You could try adding a little marshmallow fluff to it. I would think it would lighten and make it a bit fluffier.
The Lovely Photog says
February 13, 2014 at 11:13 amYuum! This looks really delicious! I’ve never tried to make fudge before but I’ve always wanted too! Thanks for posting!
Stephanie Keeping says
February 2, 2015 at 11:58 amI haven’t tried this kind of fudge before, but it sounds yummy!
Melanie says
February 2, 2015 at 12:38 pmOh, I am a huge fudge fan!This looks like a great flavor combo!
Meagan says
February 2, 2015 at 3:23 pmThese look so good! I’ve never tried these before, but they look Devine. I love any dessert that is spiced.
Britni Newton Vigil says
February 2, 2015 at 4:26 pmWow, chai fudge sounds delicious!
Mommy on Demand says
February 2, 2015 at 5:28 pmOh my Oh my! I need this!
Rebecca Brosemer says
February 2, 2015 at 5:57 pmYUMMO!! I love chai tea and chocolate so I am sure that I would love these. Don’t think I would have the patience to make it though…lol 🙂
Mega C Cooks says
February 2, 2015 at 7:14 pmThis looks great!
Shauna Smart says
February 2, 2015 at 8:07 pmWhat an amazing combination of flavors!
Carisa Smith says
February 2, 2015 at 8:07 pmSo many fun flavors here!
Kim @ 2justByou says
February 2, 2015 at 9:35 pmOMG these sound amazing. Not even kidding. I pinned it so fast I think my computer got confused!
Britney Mills (@princesscowboys) says
February 2, 2015 at 10:52 pmSounds like something different and fun!
Debra says
February 2, 2015 at 10:55 pmI love fudge! This sounds amazing!
Jillian {Food Folks and Fun} says
February 2, 2015 at 11:47 pmSounds delicious!
naptimecreationsemily says
February 3, 2015 at 4:16 amyum!! I love chai anything!! This sounds so amazing, I may have to have a cup of chai tea tonight and dream of this fudge ;o) hope I can try the recipe soon.
Aimee @ Like mother like daughter says
February 3, 2015 at 9:59 amI love fudge. This sounds tasty!
dishofdailylife says
February 3, 2015 at 11:06 amDebi, that fudge looks seriously amazing! Of course I love all your recipes!
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt says
February 3, 2015 at 3:17 pmYum! This looks very good!
triedandtasty says
February 3, 2015 at 11:11 pmI wish I could sink my teeth in to a piece of this!!
Victoria @ Creative Home Keeper says
February 7, 2015 at 12:46 pmThese look perfect! I am in need of a good non-chocolate desert recipe so this came at the perfect time!
Rebecca says
February 8, 2015 at 2:51 pmThis sounds amazing! My mum loves Chai and I’m totally going to have to make these for her!
Johanna says
December 18, 2016 at 5:48 amHi there! Looks great and I definitely need to make this! But for some reason I can’t see the recipe? Could you please look into that? Thanks in advance!
Debi says
December 18, 2016 at 6:53 amJohanna, thanks so much for alerting me to this! I’ve fixed it now so the recipe card is there! It was my mistake that it was gone, but I never would’ve caught it without your help! Thanks again.