Key Lime Fudge Recipe (2024)

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Learn how to make key lime fudge with these easy step-by-step recipe instructions. Sweet and tangy and oh so fragrant this lime fudge recipe is addicting. Simple to make, this fudge recipe is terrific for sharing, gifting, or when you want to indulge at home.

Key Lime Fudge Recipe

This easy lime fudge recipe is a sweet treat the whole family will enjoy. Made with fairly common ingredients, you can make this easy recipe with your children or grandchildren – this is such a simple recipe that nearly anyone can make it!

How to make Key Lime Fudge:

1. Prep – Spray an 8×8 pan with non-stick spray, line it with parchment paper, and get a double boiler going.
2. Melt the white chocolate, add sweetened condensed milk, add key lime juice, and key lime zest, and mix.
3. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, smooth, and garnish.
4. Chill – Let the fudge chill for 6 hours or until completely firm.
5. Cut – Once firm, remove the fudge and slice the fudge recipe on a cutting board. Enjoy!

What is the difference between key limes and limes?

Key limes – the name comes from their close association to the Florida Keys – are also known as West Indian lime, bartender’s lime, Omani lime, or Mexican lime (Citrus x aurantifolia). Key limes are smaller, seedier, tarter, and have a thinner rind than the Persian lime we purchase regularly at the store. The Key lime is picked while green and turns yellowish as it ripens. Persian limes (Citrus x latifolia) are what we think of as regular limes and commonly available for purchase in local grocery stores, have fewer seeds, are sweeter, and are larger in size.

If you enjoy making homemade fudge recipes, try these easy fudge recipes:

Strawberry Fudge Recipe
Salted Dark Chocolate Bourbon Fudge Recipe
Chocolate Amaretto Swirl Fudge Recipe

Tips and variations for making this Key Lime Fudge Recipe:

● Double boiler – The only thing you have to watch for is that your chocolates are melting at pretty much the same rate in the double boiler. And please use a double boiler and do not try melting the chocolate in a microwave. The double boiler will prevent burning and hardening, and the microwave… does not.
● Zest the key limes from the lime rind before extracting the juice. The difference between the lime peel and the lime rind is that the peel includes all parts of the exterior of the lime, including the white pith. The rind is the color that you zest.
● The two (2) large key limes should render the four (4) tablespoons of juice necessary to make this recipe.
● Substituting limes for key limes will make this less sweet-tart. Not a bad thing. Some people mix ½ lemon juice, ½ lime juice to approximate the taste of key lime juice.
● Do not overcook – As soon as the chocolate chips melt, add the sweetened condensed milk, give it a stir, and get it off that heat.
● This is not a key lime pie fudge recipe. That would involve a bottom layer crust, usually Graham cracker crust. If you would like to add that, make certain it is baked before proceeding with this recipe.

● If you plan on making 36 servings, that is cutting 6 rows x 6 rows. If you plan on making 25 servings, that is cutting 5 rows by 5 rows.
● Place one sheet of parchment paper across the pan. Place the second sheet of parchment paper across the first sheet (to form an +).
● It is best if the rest of the ingredients are not altered as they specifically complement or counteract each other in the perfect manner. I would not be able to offer any other suggestions as substitutions that would work in the same manner.
● Fudge can be stored in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container. It will last up to two weeks in either situation. Do not store fudge at room temperature.

Key Lime Fudge Recipe Ingredients:

● 24 oz White Chocolate Chips
● 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
● 4 TBSP Fresh Key Lime Juice
● Zest of 2 Large Key Limes

Key Lime Fudge Mise en Place:

Spatula
● Spoon
Measuring Cup
Measuring Spoons
8″x8″ Cake Pan
● Double Boiler
Parchment Paper

Key Lime Fudge Recipe Directions:

1. Lightly grease an 8″ x 8″ square pan and line it with parchment paper (in the shape of a +). Set aside.

2. Over medium heat boil the water in your double boiler. In the double boiler upper container (or a bowl snugly fitted over a saucepan filled with simmering water), melt the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk.

3. When the chips are melted, add in the key lime juice and the key lime zest. Reserve ½ teaspoon of the lime zest for garnish. Mix until well combined.

4. Spread the key lime fudge mixture in the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.

5. Sprinkle the remaining key lime zest, evenly on the top of the fudge.
6. Allow the key lime fudge to chill in the fridge for 6 hours, up to overnight.

7. Remove the fudge by picking up the ends of the parchment paper. Place on a cutting board and using a sharp knife cut into 25 (5×5) or 36 (6×6) even squares.

8. Serve immediately.

9. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Yield: 1

Key Lime Fudge Recipe

Key Lime Fudge Recipe (15)

Key Lime Fudge Recipe. Learn how to make key lime fudge with these easy step-by-step recipe instructions. Sweet and tangy and oh so fragrant this lime fudge recipe is addicting. Simple to make, this fudge recipe is terrific for sharing, gifting, or when you want to indulge at home

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time5 minutes

Additional Time6 hours

Total Time6 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 24 oz White Chocolate Chips
  • 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 4 TBSP Fresh Key Lime Juice
  • Zest of 2 Large Key Limes

Instructions

    1. Lightly grease an 8″ x 8″ square pan and line it with parchment paper (in the shape of a +). Set aside.
    2. Over medium heat boil the water in your double boiler. In the double boiler upper container (or a bowl snugly fitted over a saucepan filled with simmering water), melt the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk.
    3. When the chips are melted, add in the key lime juice and the key lime zest. Reserve ½ teaspoon of the lime zest for garnish. Mix until well combined.
    4. Spread the key lime fudge mixture in the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
    5. Sprinkle the remaining key lime zest, evenly on the top of the fudge.
    6. Allow the key lime fudge to chill in the fridge for 6 hours, up to overnight.
    7. Remove the fudge by picking up the ends of the parchment paper. Place on a cutting board and using a sharp knife cut into 25 (5×5) or 36 (6×6) even squares.
    8. Serve immediately.
    9. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

Substituting Persian limes for key limes will make this less sweet-tart. Not a bad thing. Some people mix ½ lemon juice, ½ lime juice to approximate the taste of key lime juice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 150Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 36mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 19gProtein: 2g

Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.

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Key Lime Fudge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is key lime fudge made of? ›

How do you make Key Lime Fudge? Evaporated milk, sugar and salt are heated together in a saucepan and boiled for 8 minutes. Once that mixture has boiled for several minutes, it'll be piping hot. At that point, you'll pull the pan off the stove and stir in marshmallows, white chocolate, lime zest and lime juice.

How many limes for 2/3 cup juice? ›

How Much Juice Is in One Lime? An average lime yields 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice. To make a cup of fresh lime juice, you would need 8 limes. In a pound of limes, there are usually 4 to 5 limes, which means that a pound of limes has between 8 and 10 tablespoons or 1/2 to 2/3 cups of fresh lime juice.

What to do with failed fudge? ›

Options for what you can do with your unset fudge:

OPTION 1) Depending on how runny it is, you can either use it as a frosting for cakes, or a sauce for ice-cream. OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

Do you stir fudge when it's boiling? ›

Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

Can I use lime juice instead of Key lime juice? ›

(Some residents of the Florida Keys and true Key lime pie aficionados will only use Key limes from the Keys.) If you can't find them anywhere, however, you can substitute a combination of regular fresh lime juice and fresh lemon juice in equal proportions.

How much juice from one Key lime? ›

The limes you'll find at the grocery store are called Persian limes or Tahiti limes. These larger limes are oval-shaped, dark green and juicy. Each lime contains two to three tablespoons of juice (compared to Key lime's two to three teaspoons).

Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh? ›

But the juice will start to oxidise. Not massively, but enough to make the taste difference between these products after a couple of hours, actually pretty negligible. If actually any taste difference at all.

What happens if you over stir fudge? ›

If you continue stirring once the mixture is simmering, you are encouraging the development of sugar crystals. While crystallization is the goal if you're making hard candy, crunchy sugar bits can quickly ruin a fudge's silky smooth texture.

How to rescue fudge that won't set? ›

How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

What went wrong with my fudge? ›

If your fudge is tough, hard, or grainy, then you may have made one of several mistakes: You may have overcooked it, beaten it too long, or neglected to cool it to the proper temperature.

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

What consistency should fudge be before it sets? ›

You know it's ready when a small amount of the mixture dropped into a glass of cold water sets into a soft ball that you can lift out with a teaspoon and pinch between your fingers. Turn off the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes or until the mix starts to thicken a little.

How do you cut fudge so it doesn't crumble? ›

Put both knives into a large measuring cup, add boiling water onto the knives, and before cutting the chocolate or the dessert into pieces, wipe the knife with a towel. The warm knife will easily cut through without cracking.

Why does my fudge crumble when I cut it? ›

The ingredients for fudge are combined and cooked to 234 degrees, cooled to 110 degrees without stirring, then beaten until creamy. Candy that isn't cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard.

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