Pecan Fudge

A batch of homemade fudge makes the perfect hostess gift or an after-dinner sweet treat. Talk about versatile!

MAKES: 16 pieces

PREP TIME: 20 minutes

COOKING TIME: about 8 minutes

SETTING TIME: 1 hour, 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 ¼ cups lightly packed golden yellow sugar
• 1 cup sour cream (14%)
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 16 Glazed Pecans (recipe follows)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Line the base and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang of paper on two facing sides. (This will help you remove the fudge from the pan.) Set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, sour cream and salt. Bring to a full, rolling boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Hook a candy thermometer over the side of the saucepan. Continue boiling, without stirring, until the candy thermometer registers 240ºF, about 8 minutes. (If you don’t have a candy thermometer, drop a little of the mixture into a bowl of cold water. If it forms a soft ball, it’s ready.)
4. Immediately remove from the heat. Add the butter, but don’t stir. Let the fudge cool until the candy thermometer registers 110ºF. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Using an electric mixer, beat the fudge on low speed until it just begins to thicken and lose its sheen, about 5 minutes.
6. Stir in the chopped pecans. Scrape the fudge into the prepared pan, smoothing the top level with an offset spatula. Let stand at room temperature until set, about 15 minutes.
7. Score the fudge into 16 pieces and press a glazed pecan into each piece. Let the fudge cool completely at room temperature, about 1 hour. Cut into pieces. (The fudge can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, with wax paper between the layers, for up to 2 weeks.)

GLAZED PECANS:

MAKES: 2 cups

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

COOKING TIME: 13 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• ¼ cup lightly packed golden yellow or dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups pecan halves

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar and butter over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, and the butter has melted, about 3 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat. Stir in the pecans until well combined.
4. Spread the pecan mixture out on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through baking time.
5. Separate the pecans on the baking sheet so they’re not touching, then let cool completely.