Soft ball stage | candy making (2024)

In fudge

…termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers. Butter and vanilla are added as the candy cools,…

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Butter and vanilla are added as the candy cools,…","publisher":{"name":"Encyclopedia Britannica","@type":"Organization","logo":{"url":"https://corporate.britannica.com/wp-content/themes/eb-corporate/_img/logo.png","@type":"ImageObject"}},"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"article"},"studentArticle":false,"initialLoad":true,"comingFromSameArticle":false}

soft ball stage

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candy making

Learn about this topic in these articles:

making of fudge

  • Soft ball stage | candy making (8)

    In fudge

    …termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers. Butter and vanilla are added as the candy cools,…

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Soft ball stage | candy making (2024)

FAQs

What is the soft ball stage in making candy? ›

termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

Why is my fudge not reaching the soft ball stage? ›

The fudge needs to be cooked at a vigorous boil and needs to get to a minimum of 116C/240F, so you may need to increase the heat slightly. This is the soft ball stage and if you drop a little of the mixture into a glass of cold water then it should form a firm ball that you can still squeeze between your fingers.

How do you determine soft ball stage? ›

Using a clean spoon, carefully take a little of the syrup and drop it into the bowl of cold water. Leave to cool for a moment then pick up the ball of syrup. If it's pliable, sticky and can be moulded in your fingers easily, it has reached the soft ball stage and the syrup can be used to make fudge and marzipan.

How long does it take to soft ball stage? ›

about 18 min to reach boiling. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage. 60 minutes to cool. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)

What does the soft ball stage look like? ›

Soft Ball

To test your candy temperature, you'll want a bowl of cool water to drip the sugar into. You'll know you've reached the soft ball stage when the sugar forms a small ball in the water. The ball will quickly flatten after a few moments of handling as it warms in your hand.

Why is it called soft ball? ›

The name "softball" was given to the game in 1926 because the ball used to be soft; however, in modern-day usage, the balls are hard. A tournament held in 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair spurred interest in the game.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool.

How do you make fudge creamy and not grainy? ›

Grainy Fudge

To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon. You can use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar that sticks to the sides of the pot.

What does a sugar solution for making fudge need to get to the soft ball stage? ›

235° F–240° F

At this temperature, sugar syrup dropped into cold water will form a soft, flexible ball. If you remove the ball from water, it will flatten like a pancake after a few moments in your hand. Fudge , pralines, and fondant are made by cooking ingredients to the soft-ball stage.

How to test fudge for soft ball stage? ›

You can also test for soft ball stage by using a glass of cold water. When the fudge has boiled for about 10 minutes start to test by dropping a little of the mixture into a glass of cold water. If the mixture forms a thread as it sinks into the water then it needs cooking for a little longer.

Can I use a meat thermometer instead of a candy thermometer? ›

To make candy or jelly at home, it's essential to have a thermometer that can process particularly high temperatures. Though a meat thermometer might seem like a convenient substitute, it doesn't have the ability to read and process temperature to the same extent that a candy thermometer does.

How long does it take to get to the hard crack stage for candy making? ›

Continue boiling, uncovered, not stirring the mixture but shaking the saucepan occasionally to distribute the heat as the mixture turns amber in about 9 minutes, then darker amber as it registers 305 degrees on the thermometer (hard-crack stage ), about 3 minutes longer.

Do you Stir fudge while boiling? ›

Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done. Do not rely on the cooking time indicated in your recipe.

How do I get my fudge to harden? ›

Chewy fudge is often the result of undercooking. To fix it, you can reheat the fudge mixture over low heat and continue cooking until it reaches the proper temperature.

How to tell if fudge is ready? ›

Points to remember

You know it's ready when a small amount of the mixture dropped into a glass of cold water sets into a soft ball that you can lift out with a teaspoon and pinch between your fingers. Turn off the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes or until the mix starts to thicken a little.

What are the seven stages of candy making? ›

There are seven stages of candy making: thread, soft-ball, firm-ball, hard-ball, soft-crack, hard-crack, and caramel. Different types of candy, from fudge to lollipops, need to be cooked to different stages to get the desired results.

What is soft ball vs hard ball sugar? ›

Hard-ball stage is between 250-265oF, sugar concentration is up to 92%, and when dropped in water a hard ball is formed that takes some effort to squish. Next is soft-crack stage, this happens between 270-290oF, sugar concentration is 95%, and forms solid, flexible threads.

What temperature is soft ball stage at high altitude? ›

Rocky Mountain Frosting
Table 1. Adjustments for Frostings and Candies
ProductCold-water testFinish temperature
Creamy candies and fillingsSoft ball219–225°F
Chewy candiesFirm ball227–233°F
Pulled candies, fillings, and frostings with egg whitesHard ball235–253°F
4 more rows

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