When Darling Sweet turned 10 in July 2024, the beloved confectionery brand behind South Africa’s favourite toffees and soft caramels marked the milestone in the sweetest way it knows how – with sugar, butter and a little bit of magic.
The gift to the nation? Fudge.
What began as a single, perfectly traditional flavour has now grown into a full-blown flavour fête. On 1 March, Darling Sweet unveils six brand-new fudge sensations: Dolce Evita, Melktert, Moerkoffie, Strawberries & Cream, Rooibos and Salted Caramel.
And yes, it was worth the wait!
When owners Hentie van der Merwe and Frits van Ryneveld launched their small-batch toffee dream in 2014, they simply set out to fill a gap in the market for traditional, chewy toffees made the old-fashioned way with the finest ingredients.
“We never in our wildest imaginations dreamt that over a decade later we would be producing 10 different flavour toffees, eight soft caramels, three types of toffee spread and now that most iconic of sweets, fudge,” says van Ryneveld.
The move into fudge was both natural and nostalgic. After soft caramels joined the range in 2018, expanding into fudge felt like the next delicious chapter.
But this story comes with heart. Long before Darling Sweet fired up its copper pots, the village of Darling was famous for its fudge thanks to local legend Hugh Davies, who produced his beloved fudge for over 20 years. When he and his wife Sheila relocated to Johannesburg, Davies generously passed on his treasured recipe and gave Darling Sweet his blessing to continue the tradition.
The original 2024 launch featured a smooth, rich, unapologetically classic traditional fudge. Now the flavour story gets playful with six new proudly local taste sensations: These are:
- Dolce Evita – A theatrical nod to indulgence, named after Darling Sweet’s 2024 move to the iconic Evita se Perron.
- Melktert – Proudly, deliciously South African.
- Moerkoffie – Bold, nostalgic coffee comfort in cube form.
- Strawberries & Cream – Soft, summery sweetness.
- Rooibos – Gently aromatic and locally inspired.
- Salted Caramel – A classic with a West Coast sea-salt glow-up.
“Fudge is such a favourite for South Africans that Hentie went back to the experimental kitchen to develop exciting new recipes,” says van Ryneveld.
“We worked with the South African palate, flavours we all love like coffee and melktert, alongside some decadent fun like Strawberries & Cream.”
Not every experiment made it. The Fynbos Honey version, while delicious, didn’t quite pass the test. “You couldn’t taste the honey!” van der Merwe admits.
Since its debut just over 18 months ago, Darling Sweet’s fudge production has grown exponentially.
“Our fudge has proven hugely popular and beyond expectations, which is exactly why we decided to expand the range properly,” says van Ryneveld.
Asked about their favourites? Dolce Evita wins Frits’ vote, while Hentie is firmly in the Salted Caramel camp.
Beyond the flavours, the team is equally proud of their refreshed branding, featuring a contemporary African look, and the fact that all packaging is fully recyclable.
One thing is certain: Darling Sweet’s fudge journey proves that when heritage, heart and a little sugar come together, the result is something truly special.
All Darling Sweet products are certified Kosher and Halaal.
ALSO SEE: CLASSIC FUDGE RECIPE
