Maple Walnut Fudge
Easy Maple Walnut Fudge Recipe – You won’t believe this old-fashioned candy treat is made without sugar! It gets its sweetness and flavor from pure maple syrup and crunchy chopped nuts.
Why We Love This Recipe
Ever made fudge from scratch? Ever made fudge without sugar?? Today we’re making Maple Walnut Fudge using only 100% pure maple syrup for the sweetener.
This easy old-fashioned no-bake fudge recipe is made with just 5 ingredients – no corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, or other highly-processed ingredients needed. And not only is it made with simple goodness, the recipe also happens to be gluten-free!
Homemade maple fudge is fabulously soft and delicious, and tastes like fall mixed with walnuts, pecans, or your favorite nut! Make a batch (or two) for parties or as holiday gifts, and give your family and friends a scrumptious taste of the season.
5 Ingredients For This Easy Fudge Recipe
- Maple syrup – real maple syrup, no fake pancake syrup stuff
- Heavy cream – essential for a smooth consistency and rich flavor
- Butter – unsalted
- Salt – a pinch to balance the sweetness of the syrup
- Walnuts – raw, chopped
How to Make Maple Walnut Fudge
Set a large saucepot on the stovetop and attach a cooking thermometer to the side. Set out an 8 x 8-inch baking pan, and line it with parchment paper.
Pro Tip: Cut the corners inward so the paper fits down in the pan corners neatly.
Pour the maple syrup into the pot and turn the heat to medium.
Bring the maple syrup to a boil, and set the timer for 5 minutes.
Once the maple syrup has boiled on its own for 5 minutes, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and salt. Do not stir the mixture, but continue allowing it to boil for another 15+ minutes until it reaches 240°F on the cooking thermometer, just past “soft ball” consistency.
The moment the fudge mixture reaches the right temperature, turn off the heat and remove it from the stovetop. Add the butter to the mixture and allow it to sit for another five minutes to cool.
Then scoop the mixture into the bowl of an electric stand mixer.
Beat the mixture at medium speed, for 3 to 5 minutes until it starts to crystallize. Continue to beat adding ½ cup of additional cream to the mixture to soften it. The fudge should change to a lighter color and lose its sheen a bit.
Now mix in ½ cup of chopped walnuts. Once the nuts are mixed in evenly, turn off the mixer. Scoop the fudge into the prepared pan and press firmly into an even later.
Get the Complete (Printable) Maple Walnut Fudge Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Then take the remaining ¼ cup of walnuts and sprinkle and press them into the top of the fudge.
Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the fudge to sit.
Then lift the fudge out of the pan by the edges of the paper.
Cut the maple fudge into 64 small 1-inch squares.
Pro Tip: Wipe the knife clean between each cut for smooth pretty pieces.
Recipe Variations
- Swap walnuts with chopped pecans, or any other chopped nuts you like!
- You can also leave out the nuts entirely for a nut-free maple fudge recipe.
- For an even stronger flavor, add 1 teaspoon of maple flavoring extract to the mixture when you add the butter. Or add in vanilla extract.
- Easily halve or double the recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is maple fudge made of?
The key to get delicious tasting maple fudge is to use real maple syrup! This easy fudge recipe uses maple syrup, heavy cream, butter and salt.
What is the best way to store fudge?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Can maple walnut fudge be frozen?
Yes, it can! After cutting the prepared fudge into squares, transfer it to an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. It is best to thaw overnight in the fridge, then enjoy within a few days.
What is the secret to perfect fudge?
It is essential to cook the fudge at the right temperature to get that delightful melt-in-your-mouth consistency. This is why I highly recommend using a candy thermometer when you make this maple fudge recipe to ensure the right temp every time.
Be sure that you do not stir for the full 15 minutes after the heavy cream is added to the bubbling maple syrup. I know you’ll be super tempted to give it just a little stir… Avoid the urge!
Why does butter separate in fudge?
If your maple base separates from the butter, the base is likely too hot. Do not add the butter until the pan has been removed from the heat source.
Looking for More Easy Candy Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Fluffy Divinity Candy Recipe
- Bourbon Salted Caramel Candy
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
- Easy Cinnamon Pecan Praline Candy
- The Easiest Candy Orange Peel Recipe
Maple Walnut Fudge
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream divided
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts divided (or pecans)
Instructions
- Set a large saucepot on the stovetop and attach a cooking thermometer to the side. Set out an 8 x 8-inch baking pan, and line it with parchment paper. Cut the corners inward so the paper fits down in the pan neatly.
- Pour the maple syrup into the pot and turn the heat on medium. Bring the maple syrup to a boil, and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- Once the maple syrup has boiled on its own for 5 minutes, pour in 1 cup heavy cream and salt. Do not stir the mixture, but continue allowing it to boil for another 15+ minutes until it reaches 240°F on the cooking thermometer.
- The moment the fudge mixture reaches the right temperature, turn off the heat and remove from the stovetop. Add the butter to the mixture and allow it to sit for another five minutes to cool. Then scoop the mixture into the bowl of an electric stand mixer.
- Beat the mixture at medium speed, for 3 to 5 minutes until it starts to crystallize. Continue to beat, and add ½ cup of additional cream to the mixture to soften it. The fudge should change to a lighter color and lose its sheen a bit.
- Now mix in ½ cup of chopped walnuts. Once the nuts are mixed in evenly, turn off the mixer. Scoop the fudge into the prepared pan and press firmly into an even later. Then take the remaining ¼ cup of walnuts and press them into the top of the fudge.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the fudge to sit. Then lift the fudge out of the pan by the edges of the paper. Cut into 64 small 1-inch squares
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This recipe has the richest taste I have ever eaten. I love that I don’t have to stand there and stir while waiting for the mixture to reach 240. I was tempted to stir but thought, l am going to follow directions! I had to turn up the fire slightly when it got to almost 220 degrees. Those last 20 degrees take the most time. I question the addition of half cup cream after thr initial beating but I did it anyway. Even after all night in the refrigerator, the consistency is not firm. That’s my only reason for giving 4 stars. I normally have no problem with recipes but wonder what I can do next time when I go to cutting the fudge into pieces that it curves downward from gravity when I lifted the pieces out of the pan. I did cut the pieces into probably 2 inch square pieces.
Do you think this could be made with whipping cream instead of heavy cream?
This happen to me also. I think it should have only been 1 cup of heavy cream to the boiling mixture and the other 1/2 cup heavy cream when mixing. The recipe was a bit confusing. I wasted money and ingredients too!
I added the heavy cream as stated to the boil. However once I got to the mixing part it states to add an additional 1/2 cup. Which I did. So this makes 2 total cups of heavy cream. My mixture turned out soupy. I wasted money and ingredients.
Hi Rhonda,
Sorry for the confusion. The cream is divided, so you add 1 cup to the maple syrup and 1/2 cup when beating the fudge. Hope this helps!
No stirring after adding cream and salt. Check. Got it! BUT:
Do I stir the maple syrup at all during its 5-minute boil?
This recipe sounds delicious. I have all the ingredients and am ready to make (Read “eat”) it, but I don’t want to mess it up.
Thanks!
Hi Barbara,
You don’t need to stir it then; it shouldn’t burn within the first 5 minutes of cooking. :)
This is a favorite around here. Maple and walnuts just go together so well!
Such a delicious and fall festive recipe! Made this for a fall event this past week and it turned out perfect. Easy to make and everyone loved it!
Seriously delicious. Next time I will definitely double the recipe to make more!
really nice that it’s maple, prefer it to chocolate fudge,,and appreciate the detailed recipe since I’m definitely a fudge novice, so thank you!
My family loves this treat! Can’t get enough of this maple walnut fudge’s flavor and we enjoyed the crunchy chopped peanuts. Thanks Sommer for this wonderful recipe!
who knew that you could make fudge without sugar! this is insane and totally tasty!