Fudge with Bourbon Sugar

Ingredients

Recipe Credit: Bon Appetit

Bourbon Sugar

• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 1 cup demerara sugar
• 2 tablespoons bourbon

Fudge

• Nonstick vegetable spray
• 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferable 72%)
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
• 10 tablespoons (1 stick + 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

Preparation

1. Make the bourbon sugar ahead of time by first preheating the oven to as low as it can go and mixing the sugar, vanilla bean, and bourbon in a box.
2. Evenly spread the sugar mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to dry out inside of the oven for at least two hours.
3. Line a square baking dish with parchment paper and evenly coat with vegetable cooking spray.
4. Coarsely chop the chocolate and melt inside of a heatproof bowl that has been placed over a pot of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Do not completely melt.
5. In another saucepan, combine the condensed milk, butter, bourbon, corn syrup, kosher salt, vanilla bean (pod included), and heat until butter has just melted (or until about the same temperature as the melted chocolate).
6. In batches, slowly add the condensed milk mixture into the chocolate using a rubber spatula until fully combined.
7. Pour the fudge into the prepared baking dish and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
8. When it is about halfway set, sprinkle with the bourbon sugar and flaky sea salt.