Recipe (Vegetarian / Potential to be Vegan*)

125g Butter (Salted or Unsalted)
397g Condensed Milk
460g Sugar (Caster, Light and Dark Brown/Muscavado are all valid, and depends on what kind of flavour you are after. Light Brown is usually my default)
150ml Whole Milk
1tbsp Instant Coffee

1 - Start by slowly melting the Butter in a large, thick-bottomed saucepan

2 - Add and whisk in the Condensed and Whole Milk. Allow the mixture to warm up a little before adding the sugar and coffee.

3. Once the sugar and coffee have dissolved, increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

4. As soon as the mixture starts bubbling, spend the next ten minutes stirring gently (making sure you scrape the bottom regularly) and getting the mixture up to 115C (about 240F). The mixture should begin to look glossy.

5. Once the ten minutes have passed, remove from the heat and leave the mixture to cool down.

6. Use an electric hand whisk to beat the mixture into shape. This can take some time, but it will look matte and clearly feel thickened when you're done.

7. Spoon the mixture onto a parchment-lined tin or tray, smooth over the surface and into the corners to level it all out.

8. Leave the fudge to cool to room temperature before cutting.

*Notes*
- Potentially Vegan? I've used Vegan Condensed Milk before, but I haven't tested the recipe with vegan alternatives for milk/butter. I think fudge relies quite heavily on the fat/dairy content in order to whip it into shape, but this might be worth looking into.
- It's important that you use a Thick-Bottomed Pan so the mixture doesn't burn, and that you use a Sugar Thermometer for step four. I'd also advise not using plastic/silicone utensils, as they will melt at higher temperatures (I learned this the hard way). A wooden spoon / metal whisk is your best bet.
- I found that adding the coffee early (Step 2) gave the fudge a slight 'burned' coffee taste to it. I don't mind that but it might be worth adding the coffee during Step Six, just before whisking. This is usually the step where you add your flavourings (Rum, Vanilla ect.) so that you don't burn it away during the cooking process.