How do I Make Fudge From Cocoa Powder?

Many people claim that there's no dessert quite as tasty as sweet, decadent, mouthwatering chocolate fudge. Chocoholics love the flavor, of course, but it can be expensive to buy at the store. The good news is that you can make your own fudge with cocoa powder, sugar and milk.

When it comes to fudge, it's all about the consistency. There's something so special about that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture that has everyone swooning, especially over the holidays. But where did fudge come from in the first place?

As it turns out, fudge dates back to the 1880s in the city of Baltimore where the first batch was made. By the turn of the century, this delicious confection method made its way to Mackinac Island on the northern tip of Michigan. To this day, Mackinac Island is known as the fudge capital.

While there are a range of ingredients used to make fudge flavors and varieties of all kinds, the underlying process is really quite simple. You typically start by melting a combination of sugar, butter and dairy and then adding in flavors of your choice like cocoa, white chocolate, peanut butter, maple syrup, nuts and more. But the real secret to success lies in the exact melt temperature and the cooling process that follows.

Sometimes, less is more. A simple six-ingredient recipe using Hershey's cocoa goes a long way.

• Take out an 8-by-8-inch baking pan and line it with foil, extending the foil over the edges.
• Butter the foil and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups sugar, 2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa powder (or another brand of your choice) and 1/8 teaspoon salt; stir in 1 1/2 cups whole milk.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until contents come to a full boil.
• Let boil, without stirring, until your mixture reaches a temperature of 234 F, or what's known as the "soft-ball stage" of confectionary.
• Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup of butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract — avoid stirring.
• Cool at room temperature until your mixture reaches 110 F.
• Beat with a wooden spoon until the candy loses some of its gloss and begins to thicken.
• Pour into the baking pan and set aside for several hours until it has cooled completely before cutting and serving.

Voila! There you have an easy chocolate fudge recipe with cocoa powder.

Read more: Pumpkin Pie Freezer Fudge

When it comes to making chocolate desserts, it's hard to decipher what to look for. Do you pick chocolate chips, chocolate bars, cocoa powder or something else to add to your recipe? The truth is that chocolate chips can create a fantastic tasting fudge — but if you are health-conscious, cocoa powder may be your better bet.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a 1-cup serving of milk chocolate chips has approximately 899 calories. Alternatively, a 1-cup serving of cocoa powder has a mere 198 calories. Cocoa is also much lower in fat than chocolate chips and is a rich source of fiber, which the Mayo Clinic says is key to a healthy diet. Cocoa retains a large number of antioxidants, as well, which are excellent for your heart, skin, blood pressure and even your stress levels.

And if you're really aching for those chocolate chips instead, don't stress. A July 2017 study published by the journal Nutrients concluded that any chocolate intake, in moderation (six or fewer servings per week), is associated with decreased risks of coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Read more: Chia Fudge Wedges