For Smoother And Creamier Fudge, Reach For One Unexpected Item

When comparing chocolate to fudge, everything comes down to texture. In fact, that signature fudgey texture is why it can be a fairly difficult recipe to perfect. Many find the downfall of their fudge to be chalked up to a lack of cream cheese, which is usually the secret ingredient for a non-brittle, buttery dessert. However, there is a bizarre ingredient that might actually save the dish: Velveeta cheese.

Before writing off Velveeta as an addition to your fudge, consider the benefits it may offer. Though it's more commonly associated with making a creamy boxed mac and cheese, the Velveeta cheese brand is known for being extremely smooth and mild, and, best of all for your fudge, not even real cheese. Instead, the Food and Drug Administration deems it a "pasteurized prepared cheese product." While Velveeta was originally made with various cheeses, today its main ingredients are whey protein concentrate and milk protein. Long story short, this ingredient will make your fudge extra creamy without imparting cheese flavor.

When comparing it to your other fudge option, cream cheese, Velveeta cheese also has a longer shelf life. Unopened and stored in the fridge, Velveeta cheese can last up to 6 months past its box's best-by date. Unopened cream cheese, on the other hand, will only offer you three to four weeks of leeway after its expiration date.

Being aware that Velveeta cheese isn't often categorized correctly can open chefs up to a whole new world of possibilities. There are an endless amount of sweet recipes that Velveeta can be melted and added to in order to make it a bit smoother. Believe it or not, this cheese product can even be used to make an entire Velveeta cheesecake or a creamy apple casserole. In addition to adding a boon to texture, Velveeta can bring a nice balancing note of salt to these sweeter dishes. The addition may affect the texture of your different batters — Velveeta-based fudge mix tends to be stickier and stiffer to maneuver — but a strong arm or stand mixer can help alleviate that. 

Obviously, most popular recipes with Velveeta as the main ingredient stay along the lines of appetizers and entrees like mac and cheese, cheese dip, or a sauce to top noodles. But with a little ingenuity, you could begin using this shelf-stable resource as the secret ingredient to your creamiest desserts.