Grandmas Molasses Fudge Candy Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED MOLASSES CANDY

Steps:

• Grease a 15x10x1-in. pan with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and vinegar. Cook over low heat until sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently. Increase heat to medium; cook until a candy thermometer reads 245° (firm-ball stage), stirring occasionally. , Add molasses and remaining butter. Cook, uncovered, until a candy thermometer reads 260° (hard-ball stage), stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Add baking soda; beat well., Pour into prepared pan. Let stand for 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Butter fingers; quickly pull candy until firm by pliable (color will be light tan). When candy is ready for cutting, pull into a 1/2-in. rope. Cut into 1-in. pieces. Wrap each in waxed paper or colored candy wrappers.

MOLASSES FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 9x5-in. loaf pan with foil. Grease foil with 1/2 teaspoon butter; set aside. , Grease the sides of a large heavy saucepan with 1/2 teaspoon butter. Add the sugars, cream, molasses and spices. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Cook over medium-low heat until a candy thermometer reads 240° (soft-ball stage), stirring often. , Remove from the heat. Add vanilla and remaining butter (do not stir). Cool, without stirring, to 110°, about 55 minutes. , Remove thermometer; beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until mixture begins to thicken; add walnuts. Beat until fudge is very thick and mixture begins to lose its gloss, about 10 minutes., Quickly pour into prepared pan. While warm, score into 1-in. squares. When fudge is firm, use foil to lift candy out of pan; cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.

OLD FASHIONED CREAMY COCOA FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8"x8" pan** (See Notes) with parchment or non-stick foil with a piece that is long enough to line the bottom and come up and over two opposite sides of the pan. (use these as "handles" to get the cooled fudge out of the pan). Spray with pan spray. You can also spray or butter the pan well, but using parchment or non-stick foil will make it easier to get the fudge out of the pan.
• Place the sugar, cocoa powder, corn syrup, salt and milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan that is much larger than you think you need. 3 quart size will work just fine.
• Stir well, and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. You can stir it and scrape the sides of the pan until it starts to boil.
• Allow the mixture to boil until it reaches 234F. This is just under the soft ball stage, but this is the correct temperature for making cocoa fudge. (If you're making chocolate fudge, cook to 238F, which is the soft ball stage.)
• Move the pan off the burner and drop in the butter and the vanilla. Don't stir them in (if you stir too soon, you'll end up with grainy fudge).
• Let the mixture cool to 110F. The pan will feel warm but by no means hot. If you're using a "leave-in" candy thermometer, there will be no question. If you don't have one, occasionally check the temperature with your instant read thermometer (that's what I do).
• Once the candy has cooled to the correct temperature, begin stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon. You can also scoop up a bunch of the warm candy and let it pour back into the pot. This will make you feel fancy, and it will help to bring the temperature of the candy down more quickly. Keep stirring and stirring until the candy is just starting to lose its gloss and thicken up.
• Dump in the pecans if using, and stir them in quickly.
• Scrape the now-quite-thick fudge into the pan and moosh it into the corners with a spatula. I sprinkled some flaky sea salt on top of mine. You can too if you want. Or not.
• Allow the candy to set up for at least an hour before slicing with a sharp knife.
• Store at room temperature in a tightly-sealed container for 3-4 days. But it will be gone before then.

BUTTERY MOLASSES FUDGE

Steps:

• Combine sugar, molasses, corn syrup and milk in a heavy 3 quart saucepan.
• over medium heat cook to 232°F Remove from heat and without stirring add butter (in thin slices) and vanilla. Let rest 1/2 hour or until cool enough to handle. Beat until fudge thickens and loses its gloss. Spread in 8x8-inch buttered pan. Cool and cut into squares.

GRANDMA'S MOLASSES FUDGE (CANDY)

Steps:

• 1. Mix first 5 ingredients in 2 quart sauce pan over med heat, stirring constantly, to 240°F (soft ball stage) on candy thermometer.
• 2. Remove from heat. Cool until bottom of pan can rest comfortably in palm of hand (110°F on thermometer).
• 3. Add vanilla & beat until firm. Pour into lightly buttered square pan. Cool & cut into squares.