Homemade Bubblegum Cloud Fudge Recipe

Hey there, baking enthusiast! You're about to embark on a nostalgic culinary journey with Homemade Bubblegum Cloud Fudge—a treat that'll transport you straight back to childhood. Imagine creating a sweet, pastel-colored confection that's both visually stunning and deliciously whimsical. This recipe isn't just another dessert; it's a magical transformation of simple ingredients into a cloud-like marvel that'll have everyone asking, "How did you make this?" Ready to unlock the secret?

Recipe Highlights

• Bubblegum Cloud Fudge is a nostalgic dessert combining white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and distinctive bubblegum flavoring extract.
• Create this vibrant pink and blue marbled fudge by melting white chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk in microwave-safe intervals.
• Essential ingredients include white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, bubblegum extract, pink and blue food coloring, and parchment paper.
• Achieve the signature cloud-like texture by stirring ingredients smoothly, avoiding overheating, and refrigerating the mixture for approximately 3 hours.
• Customize the fudge by experimenting with food coloring swirls, adjusting color intensity, and cutting into bite-sized pieces for festive presentations.

History

Although the exact origins of flavored fudge are somewhat mysterious, bubblegum-inspired confections have their roots in mid-20th century American candy culture.

You'll find that creative confectioners began experimenting with unconventional flavors during the 1950s and 1960s, transforming traditional fudge recipes into playful, nostalgic treats. The rise of commercial candy production and increased food manufacturing techniques enabled bakers to develop more innovative flavor profiles.

Bubblegum's distinctive taste, originally popularized by Fleer Chewing Gum Company in 1928, gradually inspired culinary artists to incorporate its essence into various desserts. Food historians note that the trend of novelty-flavored sweets gained significant momentum in the late 20th century, with experimental bakers pushing the boundaries of traditional confectionery.

This evolution allowed unique creations like bubblegum fudge to emerge, bridging childhood memories with sophisticated dessert techniques.

Recipe

Bubblegum Cloud Fudge transforms a classic dessert into a whimsical, nostalgic treat that captures the playful essence of childhood memories. This dreamy confection merges the smooth, creamy texture of traditional fudge with the distinctive sweetness of bubblegum, creating a unique dessert that's as visually stunning as it's delicious.

The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity, requiring just a few ingredients to create a show-stopping dessert that will delight both children and adults alike. By combining white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and carefully selected flavorings, home bakers can craft a confection that looks like a pastel cloud and tastes like a burst of bubblegum nostalgia.

Ingredients:

• 24 oz white chocolate chips
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp bubblegum flavoring extract
• 3-4 drops pink food coloring
• 1-2 drops blue food coloring
• Parchment paper

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the mixture is completely smooth and fully melted. This gentle heating process ensures the chocolate doesn't burn or become grainy.

Once melted, stir in the bubblegum flavoring extract and pink food coloring, mixing until the color is uniform and vibrant. Pour the mixture into an 8-inch square pan lined with parchment paper. Add drops of blue food coloring across the surface, then use a knife to create a gentle swirling pattern that mimics a dreamy, marbled effect.

Refrigerate the fudge for at least 3 hours, or until it's completely set and firm. When ready to serve, allow the fudge to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften slightly, which will make cutting into squares easier and ensure the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

For best results, store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep fresh for up to two weeks. To prevent the fudge from becoming too hard, always let it come to room temperature before serving, and avoid storing it in areas with high humidity or temperature fluctuations.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by lining an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface that'll help release the fudge later.

Next, combine white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in short 30-second intervals while stirring until the mixture becomes completely smooth and glossy.

Add your bubblegum flavoring extract and pink food coloring, mixing thoroughly to create that dreamy, cloud-like confection that'll transport you straight back to childhood memories.

Step 1. Line Pan With Parchment

With precision and care, grab an 8-inch square baking pan and prepare it for your bubblegum fudge adventure. Parchment paper will be your secret weapon for easy removal and clean cutting. Follow these steps:

• Cut a piece of parchment paper slightly larger than your pan
• Allow excess paper to hang over two opposite sides
• Press paper carefully into pan corners, ensuring smooth contact
• Smooth out any visible wrinkles or air bubbles
• Optional: Lightly spray exposed paper with non-stick cooking spray

Positioning the parchment correctly ensures your fudge won't stick and can be lifted out effortlessly.

The overhang creates convenient "handles" for removing the entire fudge block in one smooth motion. This simple preparation step transforms your pan into a non-stick surface, guaranteeing a professional-looking final product.

Step 2. Melt Chocolate and Milk Together

Since melting chocolate requires gentle precision, grab a microwave-safe bowl large enough to accommodate your white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk.

Pour the entire 24 oz of white chocolate chips into the bowl, then carefully add the 14 oz of sweetened condensed milk.

Microwave your mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each burst to prevent scorching or uneven melting.

Watch for these key visual cues:

• Smooth, glossy texture emerging
• Chips gradually losing their distinct shape
• Mixture becoming uniformly liquid

Stir consistently with a silicone spatula, ensuring no dry chips remain at the bottom or edges of the bowl.

The goal is a perfectly smooth, silky consistency that'll serve as the foundation for your dreamy bubblegum fudge.

Avoid overheating, which can cause graininess or separation.

Step 3. Add Bubblegum Flavoring Extract

After achieving a perfectly smooth chocolate base, transform your fudge with the nostalgic essence of bubblegum flavoring.

Carefully measure out 1 teaspoon of bubblegum extract, which will infuse your confection with a playful, childhood-inspired taste.

Gently stir the extract into the warm white chocolate and condensed milk mixture, ensuring even distribution:

• Use a silicone spatula for thorough incorporation
• Mix slowly to prevent air bubbles
• Ensure extract is fully blended before adding color

The extract's concentrated nature means a little goes a long way, so avoid overpouring.

Watch for a subtle shift in aroma – the mixture should smell softly sweet and reminiscent of classic bubblegum.

Once integrated, you're ready to introduce the vibrant pink hue that will make your fudge visually as delightful as its flavor.

Step 4. Add Pink Food Coloring

Three drops of pink food coloring will transform your bubblegum fudge from plain white to a dreamy, nostalgic shade that instantly signals its playful flavor profile.

When adding the color, start small—you can always increase intensity, but you can't take it away. Carefully drop the food coloring directly into your white chocolate and condensed milk mixture, then stir thoroughly to create an even, soft pink hue.

Pro tips for perfect color:

• Use gel food coloring for most vibrant results
• Add drops incrementally
• Stir completely between each addition
• Aim for a light cotton candy pink
• Stop when you've reached your desired shade

Step 5. Pour Into Prepared Pan

Once your bubblegum fudge mixture has transformed into that perfect soft pink hue, you're ready to transfer it to your prepared pan.

Carefully pour the vibrant mixture into the parchment-lined 8-inch square pan, using a silicone spatula to ensure even distribution. Gently spread the fudge to create a smooth, uniform surface, paying attention to the corners and edges.

Key pouring tips:

• Use slow, controlled movements
• Let the mixture naturally settle
• Tap the pan lightly to release air bubbles
• Ensure an even 1/2-inch thickness

Now, it's time for the artistic touch.

Drop 1-2 small blue food coloring dots across the surface, then use the tip of a knife to create delicate swirls. This will produce a dreamy, marbled effect that transforms your fudge from simple to spectacular.

Final Thoughts

Whenever you're looking to impress friends or family with a unique dessert, this homemade bubblegum cloud fudge delivers a nostalgic twist that'll transport you right back to childhood. The key to success lies in precision and patience during preparation.

Experiment with flavor intensity by adjusting the bubblegum extract, keeping in mind that a little goes a long way. Your visual presentation matters, so take care when swirling the blue food coloring to create that dreamy, marbled effect. Storage is crucial; an airtight container in the refrigerator ensures your fudge remains fresh and maintains its cloud-like texture.