Cleo Coyle Recipes.com: Baileys Irish Cream and Caramel Nut Fudge by Cleo Coyle

Baileys Irish Cream and Caramel Nut Fudge by Cleo Coyle

Yes, this is the very buttery caramel fudge (with an Irish Cream kick) that our amateur sleuth, coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi, served to NYPD Detective Mike Quinn after a trying day in our 21st Coffeehouse Mystery No Roast for the Weary. Now you can try it for yourself...

To download this recipe now in a free PDF, click here. Or scroll down or click on the "Read more" link below to read the entire post.

May you eat (and read) with joy!

~ Cleo Coyle, author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

Cleo Coyle's Irish Cream

and Caramel Nut Fudge

Cleo Coyle writes two
bestselling mystery

series with her husband.
To learn more, click here.

(Large Batch Version)

A NOTE FROM CLEO:

For years, Marc and I have enjoyed a splash of Baileys Irish Cream in our coffee. That's exactly why this recipe pairs so beautifully with coffee. It's a sophisticated take on old-fashioned caramel-nut fudge that not only makes an amazing after-dinner treat but also an impressive offering for party trays.

These days, Baileys comes in different flavors. Although we use the original version for our recipe, you can certainly experiment with the other Baileys flavors, including Vanilla Cinnamon and Salted Caramel.

As for the size of the recipe, we give you two ways to enjoy it. A small batch version can be made using an 8‑inch-square pan. If you’re planning it for a party, however, this larger batch version fits the bill—because there’s nothing like a wee nip of edible joy to ignite a celebration.

👇

To download this recipe

in a free PDF you can

print, save, or share,

click here.

Click for the Free Recipe PDF.

Cleo Coyle's
Irish Cream Fudge

Makes one 9 x 13-inch pan

For a small batch, divide ingredients
in half and use an 8-inch square pan.

Ingredients:

Bring to a Roiling boil for 7 full Minutes:
1-1/3 cup evaporated milk (a bit less than 12-oz can)
2 cup light brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt (do not substitute table salt)

On the heat stir in:
4 cups mini marshmallows (about 2/3 of a 10-oz bag)

Off the heat, stir in:
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup,
which is simply flavored corn syrup)
1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups white chocolate chips (16 ounces by weight)
1 cup chopped, toasted walnuts or pecans + 1/3 cup more chopped nuts for topping

DIRECTIONS:

IMPORTANT TIP: Assemble and measure out your ingredients beforehand because you will be adding them quickly to a hot pan. Toasted nuts are so much more delicious than raw, and they're easy to make. See directions in the caption below.

To toast nuts, simply preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread your roughly chopped nuts on a baking sheet
covered in parchment paper. Toast for 8 to 10 minutes,
stirring once to prevent scorching.

PREP PAN: Line a 13 x 9-inch pan completely with parchment paper as you see in my photo below. Allow the paper to extend beyond at least 2 sides to create a sling with handles. This will allow you to lift the fudge easily from the pan.

Now for the Fudge...

Step 1 – Into a large saucepan (5 quarts, at least; nonstick is best but not necessary), measure out the evaporated milk, brown and white sugars, butter, and salt. Place the mixture over medium heat and occasionally stir the mixture to prevent burning. Watch for it to come to a full, rolling boil. Set the timer for 7 minutes and begin to stir constantly.

(If you wish to use a candy thermometer, the temperature you want to reach after 7 minutes of boiling is 235 degrees F., this is the soft ball stage.)

Beginning to boil, but not yet ready...

This is what a full, rolling boil looks like.
Start the 7 minute timer now...

Step 2 – At the 7 minute mark (or 235 degrees F. on a candy thermometer), add in your mini marshmallows, a little at a time, stirring between each addition to melt them. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the maple syrup, Baileys Irish Cream, and finally the vanilla extract (the vanilla should not be added to boiling liquid or the flavor may be destroyed). Now add the white chocolate chips and stir until melted. Finally fold in 1 cup of the toasted chopped pecans (or walnuts).

Step 3 - Pour fudge batter into your prepared pan...

Sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans across the top to decorate. Allow the fudge to cool completely, without any covering, at room temperature.

COOLING TIP: Do not cover the top of the pan with plastic wrap until the fudge has completely cooled; otherwise, steam will condense and your fudge will become soggy. Once the fudge is room temperature, loosely cover the top of the pan with plastic wrap or foil and place the pan in the refrigerator, chilling until firm. Remove your pan from the fridge and lift the fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper handles.

TO STORE: If not serving all at once, slice only as much as you need, then rewrap the fudge block tightly in plastic and place back in the fridge. It will keep this way for up to three weeks.

BAILEYS BUYING NOTE: If you’re not a big drinker, simply buy 3 mini-bar bottles of Baileys. Inexpensive, single-serving bottles come in sizes of 50 milliliters, and 3 bottles will allow you to measure out the amount needed for this recipe.

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Click for the Free Recipe PDF.