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I started making this mischievous Christmas coal candy as a family prank. I'd slip these glittery black goodies into my kids' stockings and watch them go from puzzled to thrilled when they found out it was actually creamy, sweet fudge. These days, it's turned into our family's most-wanted holiday custom and everyone's hoping to get on the bad behavior list!
The Clever Trick Behind Coal Candy
Getting this fudge to look like genuine coal comes down to nailing that pitch-black shade and glimmering finish. I found that using white chocolate as a base gives us the silkiest, richest texture while still letting us reach that intense black color. Don't stress about adding the food coloring - the shocked faces you'll see make it totally worth it.
What You'll Need
- For the Fudge Base:
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Black gel food coloring (roughly 2 teaspoons)
- For Decorating:
- Optional flavor extracts
- Black or silver edible sprinkles
- Equipment:
- Rubber spatula
- Parchment paper
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan
- 8-inch square baking pan
Let's Make Coal Candy
- Set Up Your Space
- First things first, put parchment paper in your pan with some hanging over the sides. I promise this will help you pull the fudge out super easily when it's done.
- Create the Base
- Put white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter, vanilla and salt together in your saucepan. Keep your heat down low and don't stop stirring. You want everything smooth and creamy, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Turn It Black
- Now for the fun part. Take the pan off the heat and slowly add black food coloring until you've got that perfect coal look. Mix it really thoroughly so there aren't any light streaks left.
- The Final Touch
- Dump the mixture into your lined pan, flatten the top, and add those shiny sprinkles. Let it sit in the fridge all night - you can't rush this part.
My Best Tips
Make sure you grab gel food coloring because it's stronger and won't wreck your texture. Don't slack on the stirring while it's heating up, even when your arm starts aching - nobody wants chunky fudge. For extra laughs, try warming your hands slightly after it sets and shape pieces into rough chunks like actual coal before adding more sprinkles.
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Make It Your Own
We've played around with tons of versions through the years. A little peppermint extract turns it into a fancy chocolate mint treat. Try almond extract for something more grown-up. My top pick? Adding a hint of licorice flavor really sells that coal look. Some years I cook up different flavors and challenge everyone to figure out which is which.
Gifting and Storage
Wrap these little treasures in see-through bags with red ribbon for the biggest wow factor. They're perfect for stockings or mixed onto cookie plates. They'll stay good in the fridge for two weeks but at my house they're gone way before that. You can even toss them in the freezer for up to six months if you want to get ahead during the crazy holiday rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What if my fudge stays soft?
Try cooking it for longer. Let the water cook out fully. Keep it on low heat and stir until it thickens up well.
- → How do I save soft fudge?
Put it back in the pot with a tiny splash of water. Heat and stir again until it's thicker. This should fix it.
- → How dark should it look?
Add as much black color as needed until it looks like coal. If using dark chocolate, you'll need less coloring.
- → Why won't the chocolate melt faster?
Use low heat and don't rush. High heat can burn it. Keep stirring patiently—it'll melt eventually.
- → How long should it be chilled?
Let it chill for at least 8 hours. Overnight works even better. Cutting corners here makes it too soft.
Conclusion
Transform white chocolate into sweet, coal-like fudge with only a few ingredients. Makes for a funny gift or party snack - it looks like coal but it's creamy and tasty.