Ingredients

• 1 tin condensed milk
• 450g/1lb organic cane sugar
• 120g/4oz butter or plant based fat
• 125ml /4 fl oz milk of your choice
• 120g/ 4oz dates chopped
• 120g/4oz pecan nut chopped

Method

1. Line a 20cm/8inch square tin with baking paper. Place a glass of cold water in the freezer (or in the fridge with ice cubes).

2. Place all of the ingredients, apart from the salt, into a large, dry saucepan over a low heat. Continuously stir until the butter has melted and the sugar has completely dissolved.

3. Slowly bring the mixture to a rolling boil over a medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Stir continuously, especially around the edges, to stop the mixture catching on the bottom of the pan and burning. Be very careful as the mixture is very hot.

4. Once the mixture has reduced and darkened, carefully dip a teaspoon into the mixture and drizzle it into your glass of iced water (remove the ice cubes if using.) It should become a soft, pliable ball you can squash with your fingers when dropped into the iced water. If it sticks to the glass or your fingers when you press it, continue to boil and test the mixture every 2–3 minutes, or until it passes the test.

5. Add dates and nuts with a pinch of salt then beat the mixture well. Leave to cool in the saucepan for 10 minutes. Beat the thickened mixture again, breaking the top that will have started to set until it starts to lose its shine. Leave for another 5 minutes and beat again. Pour into the lined tin and level with the back of a spoon.

6. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until completely firm and you can cut through it easily with a knife without it getting stuck. Remove the fudge from the tin, transfer to a chopping board and slice into 36 pieces (6x6) with a sharp knife.