Growing up I took a lot for granted. Now as an adult I cherish my memories and making treats like Trinidad Coconut Milk Fudge.
When I was a little girl M& M’s and Snickers were rare treats, the only way to get them was when my grandmother would visit the United States – the States like we call it in Trinidad. Even then there wasn’t a guarantee she would bring us back of the special treats you could only get there.
Yes, we had our own Trinidad, or I guess Caribbean versions of these candies from Charles Candy company. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed those treats and especially now that I live in the States I would love to have them but back then when that was the only option I longed for M&M’s and Snickers.
Another great thing about living in Trinidad was the homemade treats. My mother baked fresh bread every week, sweet bread, cassava pone, sugar cake, beef pies, tarts, guava cheese, tamarind balls, sweet mango, I could go on and on about all the different things she made when we were kids and the items we in season. Again all things I couldn’t appreciate back then and now that I am an adult with my own family I would love to share that culture with them.
When I was pregnant with my fourth child I was craving fudge for some odd reason. There’s a candy shop close to where we live and they sell fudge I would go there and purchase fudge all the time but I just wasn’t quite the same as the fudge I grew up eating in Trinidad.
Last summer I wanted some fudge badly and I just didn’t want the fudge from the store. I even tried multiple recipes I found on Pinterest for microwave fudge but that didn’t cut it. Eventually, I found a base recipe on the Carnation Condensed Milk UK website that I figured would work. I immediately gave it a try, and with lots of trial and error, I finally got a fudge that reminds me of my childhood in Trinidad.
Mixing Fudge Can Be Time Consuming
One of the roadblocks to making Trinidad Coconut Milk Fudge is the mixing. I can remember my mom mixing up the fudge by hand with a wooden spoon. It could take up to an hour to get it done. Honestly, I don’t know how she did it at least once a month.
Whipping the fudge by hand is a very tedious task because if you do it too slowly it will turn into caramel and over mixing results in a crumbly fudge. I use my stand mixer with the paddle attachment to mix my fudge after boiling it on the stove. I mix it on low for about five minutes and then to medium for another ten to fifteen minutes depending on how firm I want my fudge.
When using a stand mixer make sure you don’t keep it on a low-speed setting because it won’t get enough air and just be a caramel consistency. It does boil down to personal preference. I like my fudge firm with a smooth consistency.
Coconut Milk isn’t the Only Option for Trinidad Coconut Milk Fudge
Another thing I like about this fudge is the use of Coconut Milk. It really reminds me of home when I make the fudge using ingredients my mother would use. Of course, my mom made her own coconut milk, and mines come in a can but either way it gives the fudge a whole new flavor profile. You can also use evaporated milk in place of coconut milk if you prefer.
I don’t know how to eyeball the proper boiling point for fudge the way my mother would do when making it in Trinidad so I use a candy thermometer to make sure I have to proper boil I need. You’ll also need a non-stick stock pot, something that won’t make your fudge mixture burn easily or stick to the pot.
Make sure it’s a deep enough pot so in case of any splatter you don’t get burned. Be very careful when transferring from the pot to the bowl. I burned my finger really badly once with the hot mixture.
I hope you give this fudge a try to if you’re from Trinidad and you make it be sure to leave a comment letting me know how it turned out for you. Remember it can take some trial and error but it’s so worth it in the long run.
Trinidad Coconut Milk Fudge
This creamy Trinidad Coconut Milk Fudge will remind you of growing up and indulging in this sweet homemade treat. Whether you got it from your home, at your grandma's house, or from a lady with a corner shop. It's a sweet treat that is sure to fulfill your sweet tooth while bringing up sweet memories.
Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups brown sugar
- 3/4 cups Coconut Milk
- 1 stick Butter or Margarine
- 1 can Condensed Milk
Instructions
- It takes trial and error so stick closely to the steps if you’re new to making fudge – once get the hang of it your results will be out of this world! Place all the ingredients into a large non-stick saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring to the boil then simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring continuously and scraping the base of the pan. Take care while the mixture boils and during stirring as the fudge will be VERY hot! To test its ready drop a little of the mixture into a jug of ice-cold water. A softball of fudge should form. Or check with a sugar thermometer if you have one (approx 118°C).
- Remove from the heat and beat the fudge until very thick and starting to set (about 10 - 15 minutes). You'll know when you get to the consistency you want. You can also use a stand mixer like I do and not mix it with your hand.
- Pour into the prepared tin and leave to cool before cutting into squares.
Notes
You will need a square brownie pan 9x11 lined with parchment paper or lightly greased to pour the fudge in when it time for it to set.
Nickida
Nickida is a first-generation Trinidadian American wife and mother of four. She enjoys sharing recipes from her childhood growing up in Trinidad with her readers. Nickida has a son with Autism and shares posts around traveling with a child with special needs to help other families like her own. She loves television, movies and is a true 80's baby.
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