Homemade fudge is a favorite for dessert trays, gift boxes, or keeping a few sweet treats on hand for family gatherings. This rich and creamy Cajeta Caramel Fudge takes traditional chocolate fudge in a different direction with a layer of goat’s milk caramel, white chocolate, and roasted salted cashews.
The combination of chocolate, caramel, and nuts creates a dessert with plenty of texture and a balance of sweet and salty flavors. It’s especially appealing for anyone who enjoys caramel desserts but wants something a little different from the usual fudge recipes.
What Makes Cajeta Different From Regular Caramel?
Cajeta is a traditional Mexican caramel made primarily from goat’s milk and sugar. Unlike many familiar caramel sauces made with cow’s milk or heavy cream, cajeta has a distinctive flavor with a slightly tangy finish and deep, cooked-sugar notes.
Although cajeta and dulce de leche are similar, they aren’t quite the same. Dulce de leche is typically made with cow’s milk, while traditional cajeta uses goat’s milk. That difference gives cajeta its characteristic flavor.
In this recipe, cajeta is combined with white chocolate to create a smooth caramel layer that complements the semisweet chocolate underneath. The roasted salted cashews provide a pleasant contrast to the sweetness, while a sprinkle of sea salt finishes the top.
A Few Tips for Working With Chocolate Fudge
Fudge doesn’t have to involve a candy thermometer or cooking sugar to a precise temperature. This recipe uses the microwave to melt the chocolate with the other ingredients, making it more approachable than traditional stovetop fudge.
There are a few things worth keeping in mind when preparing it:
- Heat chocolate carefully, as it can scorch when overheated. Stir thoroughly between heating intervals, even if the pieces haven’t completely melted.
- Use the specified chocolate. White chocolate baking bars and white chocolate chips don’t always melt the same way, so stick with the baking bars called for in the recipe.
- Allow enough chilling time. The chocolate fudge layer needs to firm up before the caramel layer is added. The finished fudge also needs time to set before cutting.
- Cut smaller portions. This is a rich dessert, and the recipe makes 36 pieces from a 9-inch square pan. Smaller squares are particularly convenient when serving several desserts together.
Serving Cajeta Fudge for Special Occasions
One of the advantages of fudge is that it can be prepared ahead of a gathering. Once the layers have set and the fudge has been cut, the individual squares are easy to arrange on a serving platter alongside cookies, brownies, and other sweets.
For a dessert assortment with a little variety, pair the fudge with chocolate coal lumps during the holidays. Their playful appearance makes them especially fun for Christmas parties. Caramel apple pie cookies are another option when you want something with fruit and pastry to balance a selection of chocolate desserts.
Packaging Fudge for Homemade Gifts
Homemade fudge also makes a thoughtful addition to gift boxes, particularly around the holidays. Because the pieces are rich, you don’t need a large quantity to put together a nice assortment.
A few presentation ideas include:
- Arrange several squares in a small gift tin lined with parchment paper.
- Add fudge to a dessert box with a mixture of homemade treats.
- Package individual pieces in food-safe wrapping before arranging them in a gift container.
Keep the fudge covered at room temperature as directed in the recipe, and avoid leaving gift packages in excessive heat where the chocolate may soften. Be sure to let recipients know that the fudge contains cashews and milk.
Cajeta Caramel Fudge
This fudge recipe comes courtesy of Betty Crocker, who generously provided permission to share it on Shibley Smiles. The chocolate and cajeta layers, salted cashews, and finishing touch of sea salt make it a distinctive addition to any dessert collection.
Rich & Creamy Cajeta Caramel Fudge Recipe
Ingredients
Fudge Layer
- 1 bag semisweet chocolate chips 12 oz
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk not evaporated, 14 oz
- 1 ½ cups whole roasted salted cashews
Cajeta Caramel Layer
- 8 oz white chocolate baking bars coarsely chopped
- ¾ cup cajeta goat milk caramel spread from 23.3-oz bottle
- 1 cup whole roasted salted cashews
- ½ tsp fleur de sel sea salt or coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Line 9-inch square pan with foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- In large microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and condensed milk uncovered on High 1 minute; stir.
- Microwave 45 seconds longer; stir until smooth.
- Add 1 1/2 cups cashews. Spread evenly in pan.
- Refrigerate 1 hour.
- In medium microwavable bowl, microwave white chocolate and cajeta uncovered on High 1 minute, stir.
- Microwave 45 seconds longer; stir until smooth.
- Spread evenly over fudge layer.
- Sprinkle with 1 cup cashews; press gently into caramel layer.
- Sprinkle with salt.
- Refrigerate about 3 hours or until firm.
- Cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.
- Store covered at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition information has been calculated using an autogenerating online calculation and is intended for informational purposes. For accurate nutritional information, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used.
Save This Cajeta Caramel Fudge Recipe
Whether you’re planning holiday desserts, preparing homemade gifts, or collecting recipes for special occasions, this rich caramel fudge is worth keeping handy. Save the Cajeta Caramel Fudge recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so it’s easy to find when you’re ready to make a batch.
