Old Timey Fudge Recipes

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:

• Line 8 or 9 inch square pan with foil.
• Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in a heavy 4-quart saucepan.
• Stir in whole milk.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a full rolling boil.
• Boil without stirring until mixture reaches 234 degrees on a candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a soft ball.
• Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Do Not Stir. Cool at room temperature to 110 degrees.
• Stir in pecans.
• Beat with a wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to loose some of its gloss.
• Quickly spread into prepared pan.
• Cool completely.
• Cut into square.
• Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature.

OLD FASHIONED FUDGE (SALLYE)

Steps:

• 1. Combine sugar, salt, chocolate, milk and corn syrup in large cast iron skillet (or heavy saucepan). Heat and stir just until the sugar dissolves and chocolate has melted Remove spoon, insert candy thermometer
• 2. Cook mixture on medium high heat without stirring until thermometer registers 238 degrees (or until mixture forms soft ball when teasponful is dropped into cold water) Remove from heat
• 3. Add butter and vanilla !!NO STIRRING YET!! Let cool on wire rack until temperature reaches 110 degrees (bottom of pan should feel lukewarm)
• 4. Add pecans Beat 10 to 15 minutes until fudges begins to thicken and loses its glossiness. Pour the fudge into buttered 9" square pan Let stand until set (which only takes 2-3 minutes) Immediately cut into squares Store in tightly covered container with parchment or waxed paper between each layer

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 FUDGE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar and salt. Mix in corn syrup, and milk until well blended. Add butter, and heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Stir occasionally.
• Remove from heat, and beat with a wooden spoon until the mixture is thick and loses its gloss. Stir in vanilla, and pour into a buttered 9x9 inch baking dish. Let cool until set. Cut into small squares to serve.

OLD TIMEY FUDGE

Steps:

• 1. Set up a work area for tempering the fudge. I run about 3 inches of cold water in the sink and lay out a dish towel next to it. The water will be to quick cool the chocolate and then you set the pot on the towel and stir. ( the towel also keeps you from dripping water when you pour the chocolate.)
• 2. Coat a 8x12 pan (9x13 will be ok, too.) with butter and set next to towel.
• 3. Cut remaining butter and set aside.
• 4. In a 6 quart pot add sugar, cocoa powder and salt. DO NOT TURN ON THE HEAT YET !
• 5. Using the flat side of a spatula mix well. You do not want clumps.
• 6. Add both milks and stir til well mixed and there are no lumps. Turn heat on to medium high and bring to boil. Notice how it looks like there is not much in pot. Stir CONSTANTLY.
• 7. As the mixture heats up it will bubble up.
• 8. When it reaches a certain tempature it will start to go back down. It will start to really shine.
• 9. Every now and then do a water test. To do this, fill a glass with cold water and drop some fudge mixture into it.
• 10. When it reaches the softball stage remove from heat. Softball stage is when you can roll the drop into a soft ball.
• 11. Add vanilla extract and stir..it will bubble up some as it burns off the alcohol. Add butter and stir.
• 12. Now dip pot into water in sink for 4-5 seconds then place on towel and stir. Repeat several times.
• 13. Mixture will begin to thicken. Add nuts and stir.
• 14. Mixture will start to look a little dull..Hurry and pour into buttered pan. Sprinkle a little nuts on top if you want.
• 15. Let set up for 20 minutes then cut with a smooth bladed knife
• 16. Let cool completely before putting in a bag or tin. Otherwise it will sweat and not look so pretty... Enjoy !

COLLEGE FUDGE (OLD TIMEY CHOCOLATE FUDGE)

Steps:

• 1. In a medium size heavy saucepan, mix the sugar, cocoa and milk. Stir in the syrup and cook on medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook, stirring only occasionally, until it reaches the soft ball stage. This normally takes about 20 minutes once boiling.
• 2. Remove from heat and do not stir. Set aside to cool. Once it's cooled down add the vanilla and butter and beat until it loses it's shiny look. Add nuts at this point if you so desire.
• 3. Quickly pour into a buttered small shallow glass dish. Allow to harden then cut.

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.