Posted by eyupp on May 12, 2017May 6, 2022

A Western confection, fudge is usually sweet and delicious. It consists of combining sugar, butter and milk, heating it to the correct temperature and then mixing it while it cools to a smooth, creamy consistency. There are many varieties and flavors of fudge, with chocolate being the most popular.

In 1886 a letter was found, written by Emelyn Bettersby Hartridge, a student at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, referring to fudge that her cousin had made, in Baltimore Maryland, selling it for 40 cents per pound. Hartridge was able to obtain the recipe, and in 1888, she made 30 pounds of fudge for the Vassar College Senior Auction.

In the late 19th century, some shops on Mackinac Island, Michigan, began to produce similar products as the Vassar College fudge and sold it to summer vacationers. Fudge is still made in some of the original shops there today.

Pecans and walnuts are the two commonly used nuts in fudge.

Chocolate Nut Fudge Recipe

This old-fashioned silky smooth fudge that's dotted with just the right amount of nuts is sure to appeal to sweet tooths of all ages.

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.
YIELD: 117 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon plus 1 cup butter divided
• 4 cups sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 32 large marshmallows
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 2 cups (12 ounces each) semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 1 to 1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped nuts
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Butter a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, milk and remaining butter. Bring to a full boil over medium heat; boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

2. Remove from the heat. Stir in marshmallows until melted. Add chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate; stir until chips are melted. Add nuts and vanilla.

3. Spread into prepared pan. Cool for 1 hour at room temperature. Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Yield: 5 pounds.