Moms Old Fashion Fudge Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch square pan with foil or wax or parchment paper and grease the inside with softened butter.
• Combine the chocolate chips, condensed milk and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir the vanilla and the nuts, if using, into the chocolate mixture. Pour it into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Let the fudge sit in a very cool dry place until the fudge has set, or if your room is warm, chill but only after it comes to room temperature, about 1 hour more.
• Cut into 1-inch squares and serve. Store in an airtight container for up to a week, or in the fridge if it's not all that cool in your kitchen. Let come to room temp just before serving. Makes 64 pieces.

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.

OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan. Set aside.
• Combine sugar, cocoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Stir to blend, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer. Do not stir again.
• Place candy thermometer in pan and cook until temperature reaches 238 degrees F(114 degrees C). If you are not using a thermometer, then cook until a drop of this mixture in a cup of cold water forms a soft ball. Feel the ball with your fingers to make sure it is the right consistency. It should flatten when pressed between your fingers.
• Remove from heat. Add butter or margarine and vanilla extract. Beat with a wooden spoon until the fudge loses its sheen. Do not under beat.
• Pour into prepared pan and let cool. Cut into about 60 squares.

MOM'S FUDGE

Steps:

• Combine the chocolate chips, milk, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Line a 9-inch square baking dish with waxed paper; pour the fudge into the dish and smooth into an even layer. Allow to cool until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into squares; store wrapped in plastic or in a sealable container in the refrigerator.

GRANDMA'S OLD FASHIONED FUDGE

Steps:

• 1. In saucepan combine sugar, milk, salt, chocolate squares and corn syrup.
• 2. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves.
• 3. Cook until temperature reaches 238* or until the water test is proven (1 tsp. of mixture in a bowl of cold water is dropped in and forms a soft ball and when squeezed by fingers are flattened).
• 4. Remove from heat and drop in butter but do not stir then cool without stirring.
• 5. Add vanilla then with a wooden spoon beat until candy looses sheen then add nuts if desired.
• 6. Pour into a 8 x 8 square pan and cool completely and cut into squares.

OLD FASHIONED HARD FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 8 or 9-inch square pan with foil. Generously grease the foil with butter. Combine the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Mix well. Using a wooden spoon (do not use a whisk), stir in the milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until the milk comes to a full, rolling boil. Let it boil without stirring until it reaches 234 degrees F on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage, drop a small amount in very cold water to test it - it should form a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water). Remove the pan from the heat. Add the butter and vanilla to the saucepan but DO NOT STIR. Just let the mixture sit until it has reached 110-120 degrees F. Once cooled, beat the fudge with the wooden spoon until it thickens and has lost some of its glossiness. Quickly spread the fudge in the greased pan. Let cool slowly (do not rush the cooling process or it may not set up) then cut into squares when completely cooled. Store the fudge wrapped loosely in foil in the refrigerator. cook's notes You can use other flavor extracts in place of vanilla (peppermint, caramel, strawberry, coffee, etc). Add-ins such as dried fruit or nuts can be added as it sets. Do not use margarine as it has a higher water content that can keep the fudge from setting up properly.

GRANDMA LORI'S OLD-FASHIONED FUDGE

Steps:

• Lightly grease an 8 or 9-inch square pan.
• Combine dry ingredients in heavy 4 quart saucepan.
• Stir in milk.
• Bring to a "bubbly" boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Boil, without stirring, to 234 degrees (soft ball stage). Remove from heat. Cool at room temperature to 110 degrees.
• Beat with wooden spoon until thickens and loses gloss.
• Quickly spread in prepared pan.

DAD'S OLD FASHIONED FUDGE

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 8 x 10 baking pan and line with parchment paper making sure parchment overlaps sides for easy removal later. Set aside.
• In a 8 quart pot combine sugar, evaporated milk, half & half and vanilla. Place pan over medium heat stirring constantly for 6 1/2 mins. Mixture should come to a rapid boil for a full 2 mins. (IMPORTANT See Note #1 below) Take off heat. Add butter and continue stirring while adding in chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is completely smooth. Stir in walnuts.
• Pour chocolate mixture evenly into lined pan. Chill for at least 2 hours.
• Once chilled gently run butter knife along sides of pan to loosen. Carefully remove fudge and loosen parchment from sides. With a large sharp knife carefully cut into small pieces. Keep refrigerated for a longer shelf life of up to 1 month.

MOM'S OLD FASHION FUDGE

Steps:

• Mix cocoa, sugar, salt, and milk together in heavy saucepan.
• Boil to "soft ball stage".
• Add margarine and cool.
• Add vanilla and beat until stiff.
• Pour into well greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan.