This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone #SmartWayToShareJoy #CollectiveBias
Looking for an easy homemade gift idea? The holidays are the perfect time to mix up a scrumptious batch of homemade fudge. Tucked away inside a decorative tin, it makes a thoughtful gift for neighbors, family, and friends. I love making homemade gifts--especially the edible kind--and this recipe for chocolate fudge calls for a secret ingredient that's sure to provide a tasty surprise!
What's the surprising ingredient in this chocolate fudge recipe? Well, I'll give you a clue. I grew up with my mom using it as the "secret" ingredient in a marinade and in a recipe for a frosted chocolate cake. Any guesses? It's Coca-Cola! Yes, this batch of ooey-gooey fudge has Coca-Cola cooked right in.
Recently, I modified my mother's traditional cake recipe for Coca-Cola Cake to makeCoca-Cola Cupcakes. What is it about Coca-Cola that makes baked goods so sugary sweet and moist?! And since I know it's delicious baked in chocolate cake and cupcakes, I decided to try it in fudge and make Coca-Cola Fudge. I love adding my own twist to my family's beloved recipes, and it just wouldn't be Christmas without a batch of homemade fudge. Paired with a glass of Coca-Cola, it's a treat that even Santa would choose over milk and cookies. Wanting to enjoy this holiday treat for yourself? Keep reading for the full recipe!
For my family, it also wouldn't seem like the holidays without an icy cold Coca-Cola. It's been a beverage staple at our holiday meals for as long as I can remember--right up there with the sweet tea and my momma's Christmas punch.Poured over ice or enjoyed straight out of the nostalgic glass bottles, it's a holiday favorite! Perhaps that stems from growing up here in the South with several of those years being spent in Atlanta where Coca-Cola is headquartered.
Back when my sister and I were kids, my mom recorded some of our favorite holiday movies onto a VHS tape. Anyone remember watching Mickey's Christmas Carol, the 1964 version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or A Muppet Family Christmas? Along with several holiday movies, she also recorded the commercials. At the time, having those on the tape probably seemed like an inconvenience. Years later, they are just part of the recording's charm. She had the tape transferred to a DVD several years ago and now my kids can continue to enjoy those classic films year after year--commercials and all. One of the commercials is for Coca-Cola. It shows an elf tacking up a Christmas countdown poster with Santa's beard on it. Anyone remember that one? My sister and I would always want a taste of Coca-Cola after watching that commercial. Kinda like wanting chocolate when watching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. That's a story for a different day though. I guess the commercial was effective because it worked it's magic on us. All of this to say that our family history with Coca-Cola at the holidays goes way back.
That's why I'm loving the limited edition holiday packaging for Coca-Cola this holiday season. It features a vintage Santa and sweet polar bears that bring back memories of holidays from years ago. And now I get to share those memories and traditions with my own children.
It just made sense to pair two of our holiday favorites--fudge and Coca-Cola--together into one tasty treat. I made a run out to Family Dollar to grab my "secret" ingredient and tested a couple different variations. The whole family was very eager to be my taste testers and tell me which they thought was the best. That's the recipe I'm sharing with you today. From our family to yours, here's our recipe for Coca-Cola fudge!
Coca-Cola Fudge
Ingredients
- 1 container (7 oz) marshmallow cream
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cups evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup Coca-Cola
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 bag (12 oz) chocolate chips (You can use semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- In a large pot, combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, Coca-Cola, and salt.
- Bring to a full boil, stirring constantly over medium heat.
- Boil the mixture for five minutes still stirring constantly. Tip: It is very important for it to boil for the full five minutes. Set a timer for this step.
- Remove from heat. Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Pour into a buttered 8" pan. Let the fudge cool and set completely. Slice and enjoy!
I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine did! Make up a batch to gift to others this holiday season or just add it to the table at your own holiday festivities. Either way, it's sure to bring on many chocolate-smudged smiles this season!
Shop!
For more tasty recipes, gift ideas, and ways to save this holiday season, visit the Family Dollar on their website, Facebook, or Pinterest. It's a great place to shop the limited edition holiday Coca-Cola packaging to enjoy with your own batch of Coca-Cola Fudge.
More baking inspiration!
Love this fudge recipe? Enjoy another treat with Coca-Cola baked inside! Click here for my recipe for moist and delicious Coca-Cola Cupcakes.
Happy holiday baking!
FAQs
According to the company, only two employees are privy to the complete formula at any given time and they are not permitted to travel together. When one dies, the other must choose a successor within the company and impart the secret to that person.
Why did they change the Coca-Cola recipe? ›
That beverage had begun a popular ad campaign called the “Pepsi Challenge,” in which the majority of participants in blind taste tests chose Pepsi over co*ke. Worried co*ke executives decided to reformulate their drink, creating a sweeter product.
What all can you use Coca-Cola for? ›
Also note that Cola-Cola is designed for consumption, not for the following purposes, so proceed at your own risk.
- Clean your pots and pans. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
- Clean your toilet. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
- Pest removal. ...
- Remove greasy stains. ...
- Removing rust. ...
- Cook with Coca-Cola. ...
- Improve your compost.
Pemberton's recipe contained cocaine in the form of an extract of the coca leaf, which inspired the “Coca” part of the beverage's name. The “Cola” comes from the kola nut (which contains caffeine, another stimulant). When Coca-Cola was invented, cocaine was legal and a common ingredient in medicines.
What is the mystery drink of Coca-Cola? ›
Like all Creations drinks, Coca-Cola Y3000 is designed to taste mostly like co*ke, with a bit of something else. To come up with that extra note of flavor, and the packaging design, Coca-Cola turned to AI. The company relied on regular old human insights by finding out what flavors people associate with the future.
What are some hidden facts about Coca-Cola? ›
Coca-Cola Fun Facts
- Frank M Robinson, a bookkeeper suggested the name Coca‑Cola, thinking that “the two Cs would look well in advertising”.
- The Contour bottle is 101 years old this year (2016).
- In 1991, Coca-Cola launched the first drinks bottle containing recycled materials.
This year, Coca-Cola is introducing a new line of co*ke beverages — Coca-Cola Spiced. "Coca-Cola Spiced features "a unique alchemy of our iconic cola, raspberry and spiced flavors," the Coca-Cola company said in a release. Coca-Cola said despite being called "spiced," the new beverage doesn't pack any heat.
What makes Coca-Cola taste like Coca-Cola? ›
The natural flavors are derived from plant extracts, such as vanilla, cinnamon, citrus, and coca leaves. These flavors are the secret formula of Coca-Cola, and are kept in a vault in Atlanta, Georgia.
What did New co*ke taste like in 1985? ›
What was the flavor of New co*ke? New co*ke's flavor was lighter, almost like it had been diluted. While some people said it tasted like Pepsi, it did not have the same ingredients as Pepsi, like its citrus pop.
Can co*ke loosen a rusted bolt? ›
So, if you ask me, the myth is busted. co*ke does not seem to be a good rust remover and if there will be coming up some future jobs in this field I will definitely switch to pro-products again for sure.
How to use co*ke to clean a toilet
- Pour Coca-Cola along the edges of the toilet bowl — the carbonation will take care of the heavy lifting for you!
- Leave the soda in the toilet overnight.
- The next morning, flush the fizz away and your toilet will look good as new.
The co*ke left no stains or stickiness. I also cleaned my washing machine with two cups of co*ke and a dishwasher tablet on a hot cycle and as a result, there was no residue in the tub. Goodness knows what co*ke does to us when we drink it though!
Why is Coca-Cola so addictive? ›
The Sugar. Soft drinks contain large quantities of sugar which, when consumed, causes a 'rush' that is extremely addictive and leads to even bigger cravings. The reward centres of the brain are activated, releasing dopamine and other hormones to create a feeling of euphoria.
Which country owns Coca-Cola? ›
The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational corporation founded in 1892.
What is the secret behind Coca-Cola success? ›
Few companies can boast the tremendous success and growth that The Coca-Cola Company has enjoyed for over 135 years. This accomplishment can be attributed to industry-leading advertising, innovation of their products, and delivering a positive brand message.
Why do you think co*ke chooses to protect its secret recipe via a trade secret and not a patent? ›
Patent would give the company a monopoly only for a period of 20 years. Therefore, the company decided to keep their recipe and formula a trade secret as they saw the growth of the company.
Is the Coca-Cola recipe patented? ›
It enjoyed meteoric rise in 1899 when the bottling rights were sold to a company with factories throughout the United States and in many countries throughout the world. Despite this, Coca-Cola never patented their secret recipe, which has remained one of the most guarded secrets in the world for over a century.
What does Coca-Cola get its flavor from? ›
What is cola? While cola brands guard their own secret formula's with their lives, using generic terms such as 'artificial and natural flavours', cola generally, is a carbonated beverage which consists of these key ingredients; kola nut, citrus oils, vanilla and cinnamon.
