6/13/09

Cooking 101 - Chocolate Fudge


Friday was the last day of school - HORRAY! - and as much as I love, love, love my kids' teachers, I just didn't feel like spending a bunch of money this go-around. So instead of my usual Barnes & Noble Gift Card, {which, btw I think is fabulous and I could spend an entire day there...} they had to settle for a huge brick of my mom's creamy, dreamy, homemade fudge. Hey - it was a compromise, okay.

And I'm TELLING YOU - I've been to a bunch of cute little towns and I buy the fudge from the cute little fudge shops, but it is my humble, honest opinion that this recipe is better than all of those. I won't even patronize fudge shops anymore because I always walk away disappointed. {The only fudge shop that has ever blown my mind was "The Fudge Factory" in Nauvoo, IL where their fudge could paralyze me!}

Anyway - this makes a great gift because I think most people {unless they're complete idiots and therefore should never receive a gift of this magnitude} understand and appreciate how much love and work goes into homemade fudge! When it's packaged all cute, it is all the more irresistable!














Mom's FUDGE

(this recipe doubled makes a perfect sized batch for those big jelly roll/cookie sheet pans)

1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
2 sticks butter
4 c. sugar
1/8 t. salt (plus maybe a little pinch - I think the salt brings out the flavors a little)

{before you start cooking, get a little bowl of ice water and set it next to you} Add these four ingredients to a large pot; cook and stir constantly on medium-high heat until it starts to boil. Turn the heat down to medium, and continue to stir FOREVER. You want the mixture to reach the "soft ball" stage, which is where you drop a spoonful into that bowl of ice water and if the mixture holds together in a soft ball, then you're ready to move on. However, if it dissolves quickly then you've got to keep stirring. Don't rush this part because it's what makes your fudge creamy and not grainy and runny. Even if you think it's at the "soft ball" stage but you're not sure, keep going a little longer. Read a book while you stir - that's what I do!

**ALSO, dump out your ice water and start again if you need. Don't keep using the same bowl because you won't be able to tell what's going on with your fudge.

REMOVE FROM HEAT AND THEN ADD:

1 package of Ghiradelli's semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 jar marshmallow cream

Stir or whisk until everything is dissolved.

THEN ADD:

1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts of your choice

Mix everything all together until it is all incorporated. Dump into buttered 9 x 13 cake pan, let it cool for a few minutes, and cover with plastic wrap. If it's winter time, set it outside to cool faster. We usually have snow outside so I'll set it down on top of the snow, careful not to let it melt through, and the fudge sets up so beautifully and creamy!

18 comments:

kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor said...

Yum. I am embarrassed to say I have never attempted my own fudge. This looks wonderful. I'll have to try it around the holidays! Thanks.

sisjulie1 said...

I'm a teacher and I love Barnes & Noble certificates, but I love gifts like this one just as much. We truly appreciate the expression of thankfulness for the efforts we pour into the kids all year. I use that same recipe and it is yummy!

kristib said...

Oh, sounds so good (how can you give a recipe like this to a pregnant woman?!? I'm supposed to be nesting and all I want to do is eat chocolate!)

Jen~ Lipstick and Laundry said...

Yum, Yum, me want some.... hahahhaa, thanks for the recipe, I am going to HAVE to make it...

Our Complete Family said...

Oh yummy yummy yummy! Love fudge!
The way you packaged it for the teacher gifts is just so cute! Way to go with a homerun of an awesome gift hun!
Happy week ahead~ Les

Alexis said...

Hi there - I was "googling" how to make an easy apron for my friend and it brought up your website - I'm going to make the apron you posted on 4-11.... Thanks! Also - I'm a member of the Lansing Ward :) I'm excited to add your site to my googlereader!

missliss5/Melissa said...

YUM!!!!! Hey--I just saw on U Create a link to one of your many cute aprons. Your famous!

Twiddle Thumbs said...

A GREAT idea! I like how you packaged this.
Thanks for the recipe. I totally agree with you about the fudge in Nauvoo. YUM! (By way of odd information, there's a movie theater in Utah that sells fudge in their concessions. That's a sweet idea too.)

JenW!~ said...

The fudge looks yummy. Thanks for the recipe. I can't wait to try some.

Snowberry Creek said...

If I was your child's teacher, I would be very happy to receive such a thoughtful, yummy gift! Thanks for sharing the recipe...I plan to try it. :)

Melissa said...

Yummy, I love fudge! I just made my kids' teachers gifts last night - my homemade kicked up carmel corn. The last time I gave it out I got lots of compliments. My MIL was a teacher and she said she loved food gifts because you didn't have to find a place to store them! You just gobble them up and you're done. lol

Denae said...

I really want to make this fudge. It sounds so yummy. Question: What size of marshmallow cream do you use?

kh said...

I am making this very recipe as we speak for Fathers Day. (But it more for me than it is for my hubby! hee hee.) Anyway, I too have a question about the recipe... what size of evap milk do you use? I have two sizes in my pantry; 12 fl oz OR 5 fl oz? I don't want to make it wrong. Please help!

Thank you! I can't wait to try it, I may not share. :0)

Abby said...

Hi up there! For the canned milk, I use the 12 fl. oz. cans. I'll fix that on the recipe!

kh said...

Oh good. That's the size I guessed. Thank you sooo much! It is DELICIOUS. We can't stop eating it. It is the PERFECT Fathers Day treat/snack/meal. :0)

Would you mind if I posted this on my blog? (Credit to you, of course.)

Denae said...

What size of marshmallow cream? I'm assuming the smaller jar. I'm going to make it this week and can't wait.

Kathy N said...

Well, thanks for the plug about our Fudge Factory! I am glad it compares to your favorite recipe. We get a lot of comments that our fudge tastes better than homemade.
If you will send me your address (ohfudge@frontiernet.net), I will send you some goodies! Thanks again for your comments!

Gingerlylizzy said...

The best fudge I have ever had was up in Northern Michigan - it is a traditional treat for many who visit that area. And you can order online... (reasonable prices too!)
http://www.mackinacisland.net/murdicksfudge/

- I die for their peanut butter fudge...

I will have to try your recipe as soon as I am done dieting :)