Root Beer Float Fudge

By Elizabeth LaBau

candy.about.com

(c) 2009 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Root Beer Float Fudge is a beautiful swirled fudge flavored like root beer and vanilla ice cream! Your taste buds won’t believe this combination of smooth, sweet vanilla fudge and unmistakable root beer flavor. For an even more robust root beer taste, you can increase the flavoring to 1 tablespoon.

I used LorAnn root beer flavor when testing this recipe. If you use other brands, you should taste the fudge while preparing it and make adjustments, as different brands have different strengths.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) butter, cubed
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup sour cream, not light
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 package (12 oz) white chocolate chips
• 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow cream
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp root beer flavor

Preparation:

1. Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, sour cream, salt, and butter over medium heat. Stir until the sugar and the butter melt, and insert a candy thermometer. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 234 degrees on the thermometer. This will take approximately 15 minutes.

3. Once the fudge reaches the proper temperature, keep it on the heat and immediately add the white chocolate chips and the marshmallow cream. Stir constantly until the cream is incorporated and the white chocolate melts, and the mixture is smooth and homogenous.

4. Remove the fudge from the heat, and stir in the vanilla. Working quickly, pour about a cup and a half of the fudge into a bowl and set aside. Add the root beer flavoring to the remaining fudge in the saucepan, and pour it into the prepared pan.

5. Quickly pour the reserved white fudge on top of the root beer layer, drizzling it over the whole pan, using a spatula if necessary to scrape it from the bowl. Take a table knife and run it through the fudge in a swirling motion, creating brown and white ribbons of color on the surface. It is important that these steps happen very fast, otherwise the fudge will begin to set and will look grainy and lumpy when swirled.

6. Allow the fudge to sit at room temperature until set, about 2-3 hours. Remove the fudge from the pan by lifting the foil like handles. Cut into small one-inch squares to serve. Root Beer Float Fudge will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.