Dad's Fudge

"Years ago (possibly before I was even born), Dad decided that since he couldn't find a fudge recipe that incorporated the best of all of his favorite features to create his own recipe. This recipe is in response to a request on the boards. I made it today (twice to get the cooking directions written down for 'Zaar) in an attempt to accurately convey the directions, which have always been second nature to Mom and myself, but obviously would be inadequate to someone who had never seen it made. Initially, after discussing this with Mom, I planned to include candy thermometer directions, but after Dad's terminology with respect to candy thermometer terminology (my first batch today), I decided the traditional 'cold water test' we've always used would be best. Cook time does not include time to toast the nuts and is only approximate time of boiling the fudge. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as the 'menfolk' in our family do--they can't stop eating this stuff...lol. If you reduce the cooking time to barely holding its form in the cold water test, it will make a delicious fudge frosting as well. Makes 1 8inch square or 8-inch round baking pan."
 
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Ready In:
20mins
Ingredients:
8
Yields:
1 8inch pan
Serves:
18-20
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ingredients

  • 1 12 cups whole milk
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 6 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 12 cup nuts, broken into pieces and toasted (Black walnuts, butternuts, pecans or English walnuts; we prefer black walnuts. approximately 2-ounce) (optional)
  • 18 -20 whole nutmeats, for garnish (optional)
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directions

  • Before beginning to cook fudge, be sure to have an 8-inch square or round baking dish buttered (do not use non-stick cooking spray).
  • Have hand held electric mixer set up and ready to use.
  • Have butter, vanilla and nuts measured and ready to add.
  • If you wish to have the nuts in the fudge, toast them in the oven at 350 deg F for 10 minutes shaking after the first 5 minutes.
  • Set nuts aside to cool.
  • Measure sugar, cocoa and salt into a 4-quart heavy bottom saucepan (I use either my aluminum-clad or copper-clad stainless steel dutch oven).
  • Note: If the saucepan is smaller than this you will need to reduce the recipe or it will boil over!
  • Blend together dry ingredients in saucepan, then add the milk, stirring until blended.
  • Bring to a rolling boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
  • Note: If mixture is spattering out of pan, reduce heat slightly.
  • (Because of spattering, I like to use my long handled wooden spoons.) Boil until mixture forms a soft ball when tested in cold water.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Immediately add butter, vanilla and toasted nuts, if desired.
  • Beat at high speed with electric hand-mixer until fudge begins to stiffen.
  • Quickly, dump into prepared, buttered pan scraping sides of saucepan and spread evenly.
  • Fudge will lose its gloss during this last step.
  • While still warm, cut into desired servings.
  • Garnish the top of each serving with a whole nut meats if desired.
  • Attention: If the stiffening and loss of gloss occur simultaneously you have overcooked it.
  • All is not lost, return to saucepan, add an additional tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons milk and melt until smooth over medium heat (fudge will still be edible, but will be somewhat sugary if this becomes necessary).

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Reviews

  1. Excellent!! I love that this one just uses the basics - sugar, cocoa, milk (I used cream!) etc... Thanks for posting!!
     
  2. Love this one also, no cond. milk or evp. milk. Sorry I forgot STARS! Thanks
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I am currently a stay at home Mom and wife (aka: homemaker, domestic engineer, chauffeur, etc.). My husband and I made this choice about 2 1/2 years ago. At the time I was averaging 72 hours/week +. Our kids were complaining that they never saw me, and one of them was even getting in trouble (too little supervision apparently). We got the troubled teen through high school, and she is currently preparing for college. Things have improved a lot so I am considering going back to work part-time while the kids are gone to school (if the right opportunity presents itself). <br> <br>I love to cook, especially trying new recipes. I get tired of the same ol', same ol'. I also love reading cookbooks and the history of recipes. I always hated doing all the dishes afterwards, so I did a lot of one dish meals whenever possible. Recently, my husband bought me a new dishwasher, so now I am cooking up a storm! Everyone is loving it. <br> <br>I look forward to making new friends in Recipezaar, trying out new recipes, and hope some of you will try some of mine. Please, if you try my recipes, take time to post a little note telling me about your experience and any modifications you may have made. I just love to experiment and try new things in the kitchen! :-))
 
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