A sweet, crumbly and incredible tasting “fudge” made just from maple syrup (and a little bit of vanilla)! This easy recipe is naturally vegan and paleo-friendly and makes great gifts.
I was curious to see if I could make some hard candy using just maple syrup, so I did some experimenting and ended up with something much softer, creamier and crumblier – fudge!
When boiled, cooled and whipped, the maple syrup turns soft and creamy, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth fudge candy.
The dark sweetness and subtle maple flavour makes this a unique but familiar tasting candy that is super easy to make, uses only 2 ingredients and is vegan-friendly too!
The fudge mixture isn’t particularly easy to use with molds, and so my star shapes came out a little “battered” looking. But it didn’t matter because they were soon all eaten anyway!
But if you’re making this for a gift, I would recommend a clean shaped mold without engravings or mold into a large slab and cut into squares.
More refined sugar-free treats
2-Ingredient Vegan Maple Fudge
This amazing "fudge" is simply made out of maple syrup, like magic! You won't believe how much the texture resembles fudge.
Ingredients
- 250 g / ¾ cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla paste or extract
Instructions
- Pour the maple syrup into a medium saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Use a candy thermometer to read the temperature, letting it boil until it reaches 110c / 235f. Once it reaches this temperature, remove from the heat.
- Let the pot cool to 80c / 175f, without stirring. Then stir the mixture rapidly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Keep stirring and after about 5 minutes, the mixture will thicken, lighten and become creamy. Stir in the vanilla.
- Once it's thickened and the colour looks like a golden fudge colour, work quickly to transfer the mixture into your molds, as it will set fast. Leave the fudge in the molds to cool completely before removing. Keep the fudge in an air tight tin for up to 1 month at room temperature. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 16 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 41Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 0gSugar 9gProtein 0g
Mikey says
Congratulations on reinventing the wheel. This is called “maple sugar candy”.
Available for purchase (organic too) since like forever.
no cleanup.
Carol Quincy says
I love maple sugar candy; however, it’s pricey. I usually make my own with maple syrup.
Vgs says
I bet your friends think you are a JA too.
Andrea says
I’m not sure where I went wrong because it’s not setting, so I’ll look for another of your recipes for the vegans in my life. Wish maple syrup wasn’t so expensive!
I stirred it for the 5 minutes with a spatula, it thickened very slightly so I briskly stirred for another 5 minutes. It never reached a golden fudge colour and now I have a parchment lined pan of boiled syrup that has a lot of bubbles trapped in it.
Next time, I’ll try to stir it when it’s not so cool and maybe with a mixer. But am bummed this didn’t turn out.
Tiawna says
Hi! Can you recommend a smart way to pour the mix into the molds without spilling over? I’ve never made candy before, but want to use your recipe this weekend. Thanks!
Stacy says
I made these last night for a girls night christmas party. I used silicone snowflake molds and put them in the freezer to harder and then push out. They came out great with all the snowflake markings. Thanks for the great recipe!
Matilly says
Hey, I would love to try these but it’s hard to get hold of real maple syrup around here (in north England), do you think it might work with honey at all? Looks amazing!
Aimee says
it’s pretty hard to get hold of, I admit. And when you do find it, it’s SO expensive :-( Shame, because it’s my favourite sweetener. Anyway, I haven’t tried it with other sweeteners so I’m not sure. I think it would have a different texture but I’m sure it would still be lovely. Let me know if you try it!
Jennifer Anderson says
Hi, I tried this but after a lot (8 minutes) of beating my syrup still hadn’t changed colour. I used a sugar thermometer. What can have gone wrong?
Aimee says
Sorry to hear this, did it not lighten or thicken at all? I’ve never had that happen. My only suggestion would be to try increasing the heat. Let me know if you try it again! Sorry it didn’t work out for you.
Christy says
When do you add the vanilla?
Aimee says
Can’t believe I forgot to mention the vanilla, sorry! I’ve added it now… you add it at the end of step 2. Hope you get to try it, let me know how it turns out :-)
Becca says
Hi!
Just about to make these, but was wondering if, as I don’t have pretty moulds like you, I should just pour it into a greased and lined baking tray, and cut it into squares?
x
Aimee says
Hi Becca :-) I think that should work fine, although I haven’t tried it out myself. Any silicon mold or ice cube tray would work well too. Let me know how it turns out! x
Becca says
It worked perfectly just poured on grease proof paper – wish I could find some of those star moulds!
tasted amazing, such a great recipe, thanks so much x
Aimee says
Yay! Thanks Becca, that’s great to know :-) I can’t remember where I got that mold… I think it might have been Hobbycraft x
Julz says
So good!! I wanted to fill little ice cream cones with a maple sirop fudge-like and your recipe was perfect! It gave me 6 little cones. You have to work quickly, as you said, it sets quickly. I’m glad I bought a candy thermometer as they turned out perfect!
[email protected] says
These maple and fudgy twinkies are simply adorable….and I wanna eat them all. You are the queen of awesome vegan desserts, Aimée!
[email protected] in Pyjamas says
How cool, I love how it’s just two ingredients. I love the star moulds too, where did you get them from?
Monica says
Looks great to me and sounds easy and delicious, Aimee. I am amazed by all the delicious vegan we’re learning about now.
whatjessicabakednext says
This sounds amazing, Aimee! I love the addition of maple syrup! These would make brilliant gifts for my friends :)
Aimee says
Thanks Jessica! Yes, they make great gifts as they store for a long time :-)
Kelly says
I love fudge and this one sounds awesome since it’s only 2 ingredients! The star shapes are so adorable Aimee!
Aimee says
Thanks Kelly!
Tamzin says
Ooooo this sounds lovely and I love the cute star shapes : )
Aimee says
It was tricky to get a clean shape with those molds but I love the star shapes too. Makes eating them even more fun :-)
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
These are adorable Aimee! I love the star shape and I especially love that they are only two ingredients! How great is that? :-)
Aimee says
Thanks Kristi!
Lauren Hairston says
Oh my goodness I love fudge and I love that your recipe is only two ingredients (and two ingredients I always have, at that). The hubs is a maple syrup addict–even puts it on toad-in-the-hole.
Aimee says
Toad in the hole? Does it taste good? I can kind of imagine it does!
Lauren Hairston says
I’m sure it is pretty good–there’s really not much difference between the batter for toad-in-the-hole and waffles. I just think it’s weird since I usually serve a side salad or cabbage or something like that. Doesn’t seem to bother him!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
I’m so impressed that you experimented with this with all those boiling temperatures etc. involved. You’re definitely much braver than I am! And best of all, you made FUDGE! I bet it tasted incredible! :-)
Aimee says
It wasn’t too scary, Helen! It was pretty quick and simple, and the result was amazing :-)
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
‘Battered’ stars are much nicer…… ‘perfect’ is always far too OCD! I can’t believe that they are made from just maple syrup & vanilla…… You are a clever stick!
Aimee says
Yes, it proves they are homemade at least ;-)
trisha says
im such a fudge lover. My friend is a lover of maple syrup.. might have to make this for us both. love the shape too!
Aimee says
It’s super easy, hope you get to try it Trisha!
[email protected] 'n' Cookies says
What a fantastic idea! I love that this recipe only requires two ingredients, and yet it still produces a fudgy texture. Lovely!
Aimee says
I love the texture it makes, it just melts in your mouth. mmm!
miss messy says
Oh wow this is adorable looks so cute. Bet it tastes delicious too!
Aimee says
It certainly does! :-)
Erin says
These look delicious, will definitely have to try making some myself! :)