When you’re a kid, the magic of Christmas is rooted in traditions. The kind that are unique your family and inspire smiles and stories. Even more special are the kind that span generations, as does the tradition I share with you today. Nana’s old fashioned fudge is much more than a tasty holiday treat, it is an experience. It is not easy to make, so if you are looking for something simple and quick, look elsewhere (like my chocolate candy cane truffles)! This recipe takes a few trials to perfect, but that’s the beauty of the experience. Some of my favorite Christmas memories are of the indulgent (and at times, stressful) hour spent in the kitchen with my mom and nana. Chatting, sipping, and spraying hot fudge over the countertops and our clothes in an attempt to get it “just right”.
There is no warmer feeling than being at Nana’s kitchen table. The memories made with my siblings and cousins at her house are ones I will forever hold dear. As such, it makes perfect sense that Nana’s Old Fashioned Fudge brings so much more that a tasty indulgence. It brings a warmth that completes the holiday season in our home. In honor of the incredible woman I am so lucky to call Nana Joan, I am thrilled to share with you her old fashioned fudge recipe! I share this with you today in hopes that you might enjoy the process with your loved ones as much as you do the product. And that you might do so in the kitchen – the heart of the home where love grows and memories (& fudge) are made.Â
SO, grab your apron and comfiest yoga pants and pour yourself a glass of wine! Turn on the Christmas music, light a few candles, and pull your kiddos up to the island to help (or lick the pot)! You’re going to want to take this slow and enjoy every minute.
DISCLAIMER: I should preface by saying that you should prepare to fail at making this your first time! This fudge, when perfected, should be solid but of “melt in your mouth” consistency. Do not fret, if you do fail at first (which you inevitably will), you will be left with a soupy fudgy topping or crumbly bark that is just as delicious, a tasty spoon to lick, and probably a few laughs! And if you do make it perfect, you will know it (and please share with me if you do)!
Nana’s Old Fashioned Fudge:
What you need:
Sugar
Cocoa Powder
Milk
Salt
Butter
Vanilla
**The directions below need to be implemented very carefully and often take several attempts to get “perfect†– but that is part of the fun of making this treat! Follow and execute these steps to the best of your ability, and worst-case scenario, you end up with a nice jar of fudge topping for ice cream **
Old Fashioned Fudge
Ingredients
- 3 C Sugar
- 3/4 C Cocoa Powder
- 1 1/4 C Milk
- 1 pinch Salt
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Pour sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and salt into a medium sized pot. Set to medium/high heat and stir frequently as you bring the mixture to a slow boil.
- Once a slow boil is reached, ensure that it is a slow, consistent boil and stop stirring (let it sit and cook). Keep an eye on it so that the boil does not become too rapid! Adjust temperature as needed while this boils to ensure that it maintains it's steady boiling pace - this is key! You will allow it to boil for about 20-35 minutes - keep reading to see how to tell if it's done!
- While this boils, measure & set out vanilla and butter so they are prepared to be added later when seconds matter! Also prepare the "pour pan" - grease a large plate or cookie sheet with butter and set aside!
- After about 10 minutes of boiling, periodically begin to check for completion! I use the "soft ball method" - spoon a few drops of the mixture into a cup of cool water and see if you are able to form it into a "soft ball" between your fingers in the water without it easily disintegrating (see picture below). You should test every few minutes until this test is passed. When it is, remove from heat and immediately begin the next step.
- Remove fudge from heat, add butter, and begin beating continuously. Rapidly beat the fudge until it begins to thicken from a liquid to more of a thick fudge (you know this is achieved when you are able to swipe the bottom of the pan and count to 3 before the fudge fills in the space). You may beat the fudge for 10 minutes before it's ready - and it's a bit of an arm workout! if you think it's ready, wait a little bit longer! Better to beat it longer than not long enough!
- When you've determined that the fudge is ready, swiftly beat in the vanilla and immediately pour the mixture onto your greased pan to set (you want to pour it quickly after adding the vanilla so it doesn't lose it's shine)!
- Allow your fudge to set - if it has been adequately executed, it will set within an hour. Use a buttered knife to slice into squares and store in an airtight container!
Nutrition
The “Soft Ball” Method:
You know your fudge will successfully set if this is what your spoon looks like when you scrape the pan minutes later!
What makes a recipe special is the home it’s made in and the people it’s enjoyed with. Whether you make this fudge or a holiday favorite of your own, I pray you might enjoy magical moments in the kitchen licking spoons and singing Christmas songs with your loved ones! And if you dare, I challenge you to give this fun and delicious recipe a try this Christmas season. PLEASE let me know if you make this correctly – I would LOVE to see if someone can nail this recipe on the first try!!
With LOVE,
Kelsie
