Ultimate Chocolate Walnut Fudge

Yum

Let's talk fudge!

There are so many versions out there such as peanut butter, rocky road, chocolate chip mint, and even snickerdoodle, but today I want to talk about a classic.

Ultimate Chocolate Walnut Fudge is a classic marshmallow fudge with chocolaty, nutty goodness!  This is the original Kraft Fantasy Fudge that your grandmothers and their grandmother's before used to make.  My mom made it every Christmas and I make it as well!

This technique combines the sugar, butter, and milk and boils it to a candy state.  This part is key to the success of making this fudge set up correctly.  (don't skip this!)  Other more modern versions of fudge making include using a sweetened condensed milk and they doesn't call for boiling the mixture.  These are good and all but I really want that "old fashioned" true version of fudge.  I brings back good memories, and food is about memories right?

This fudge isn't done lickety split, but is well worth the wait.  Once you've boiled the mixture, added in the chocolate and nuts you need to pour it out and let it set.  Please try to control your temptation to stick your finger in it and lick off a big chunk.  The fudge needs a good while to set up perfectly.

Once it's done, HEAVEN!  You guys have to make this version of the Ultimate Chocolate Walnut Fudge now.  Pick up the ingredients soon, and I promise you that you'll want to make this time and time again.  Perfect for giving as a gift, or not....!  This makes a lot so there's enough for friends and family.

Enjoy!






Ultimate Chocolate Walnut Fudge

source:   Kraft's Fantasy Fudge

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup) (Do not use sweetened condensed milk.)
3 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
1 jar (7 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme 

1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tsp. vanilla

Line a 9x11" pan with foil or parchment paper, with ends  extending over the sides. 

Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil in 3-qt. saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Add nuts and vanilla; mix well.

Pour into prepared pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Use extended paper/handles to lift fudge from pan before cutting into squares.

3 Last Minute Halloween Treats

Yum

I have to tell you that my co-workers really get in to Halloween.  The other day I walked in and there were hanging bats, twinkling skulls light, cobwebs, and even a rat or two lurking around the aisles.

I love Halloween myself, especially the costumes and the make-up.  I was once a "cat" character from the play Cats.  I love doing the make-up on that one.  I also remember one year as a unicorn.  So many good times celebrating Halloween.  These days it has a totally different memory associated as it's also my and MGG's dating anniversary.  So our celebrations have taken a little different turn than the usual boo-fest!

This year my co-workers decided to have a potluck, with all Halloween treats.  Sugar heaven for sure!  So I went on to Pinterest and chose 3 treats that I could make quickly, but would be totally cute and wow my co-workers.

Treat #1:   Sweet and Salty Halloween Crackers
Found on Pinterest here.  This is an easy treat to make using store bought (bright) orange peanut butter crackers, black candy melts, and Halloween sprinkles.  Just melt the candy in a bowl according to the package directions.  Dip one corner in the candy mixture and place it on a sheet pan lined with wax paper.  Add sprinkles and allow to dry.  Simple!

Treat #2:  Frankenstein Monster Cookies
Found on Pinterest here.  This is a totally sweet treat.  Buy some chocolate wafer cookies, neon green candy melts, chocolate sprinkles, and candy eyes.  These are really fun and easy to prepare.  Just dip the wafers in the melted green candy and place on a sheet pan lined with wax paper.  Then sprinkle chocolate sprinkles on the top 1/4 to make the hair.  Add 1 or 2 eyes, then add another chocolate sprinkle for the mouth.  Allow to dry and then you have a cute treat to share!

Treat #3:  Savory Spiders
Found on Pinterest here.  I really like this one, and think it was the easiest to make.  Buy Ritz crackers, peanut butter, pretzel sticks, and candy eyes.  To make just take one Ritz cracker and add some peanut butter to the inside.  Break three pretzel sticks in half and add them horizontally to each side so they are sticking out like legs.  Add more peanut butter to the inside of another cracker and place on top of the one with the pretzels.  Push together so they adhere well.  With another dab of peanut butter add two candy eyes on the top cracker.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!


These will all be a big hit at the party.  They are almost too cute to eat!
Happy Halloween!

"The Fudge"

How about a classic Holiday candy?

Who doesn't love fudge?

Mom has made fudge every year at Christmas time ever since I can remember.  I and try to make it every year as well.  Sometimes I'm so bogged down with shopping and getting everything ready for the holiday that I don't have time.  It's those years that I miss having fudge around.

So this year I made sure to have it on my list of holiday goodies to make.  I've been bringing you several of the goodies so far, and today is all about "The Fudge".   This is what MGG calls it...not just fudge, but "THE Fudge"!

Well this fudge has been around forever.  My mom made it and now I use the same recipe, which by the way, comes out perfect time and again.  It's the Fantasy Fudge recipe on the back of the marshmallow creme jar!  I'm sure you've heard of it....if not, then you MUST try this now!

Simple to do, just follow the directions, and don't skip of the boiling part. It is required to boil until reaching 234 degrees in order for the fudge to set up correctly. (Trust me it won't set up if you don't do this step!)  The rest is easy peasy!  I make mine plain chocolate.  No nuts, no nothing.  But you can add them if you want.

Enjoy my favorite fudge!

"The Fudge"

by Kraft (from the back of the marshmallow creme jar)

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup) (Do not use sweetened condensed milk.)
3 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
1 jar (7 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme
1 tsp. vanilla

Line a 9x11" pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. 

Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil in 3-qt. saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Add vanilla; mix well.

Pour into prepared pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Use foil handles to lift fudge from pan before cutting into squares.

Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Rods

I love the combination of sweet and salty...don't you?  So, I thought I'd whip up some really easy tasty snacks for my boyfriend's staff that just fit the bill.

These are really a "semi-homemade" goody since you don't really cook anything...but you do melt the chocolate.  Does that count??

These make a wonderful gift or a fun sweet at a party.  They look great when they are all grouped together and displayed standing in a glass jar or container.  Kids love them too!

I hope you enjoy this holiday treat!

Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Rods

Makes about 2 dozen

4 full squares of Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate ( 8 squares to a box)
9-oz. package of large pretzel stick rods (I used Snyder's)

12 red peppermint candies crushed

Melt chocolate in a 1 cup glass measuring cup, microwave safe such as Pyrex, between 1-2 minutes stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. (Mine took about 1 min)

Take a small rubber spatula, or any size you have, and paint on the melted chocolate to cover about 1/3 of the pretzel.  You can cover more if you like but you'll end up with a lesser quantity of rods in the end!  I had 24 when I finished but found out that my boyfriend had sneaked a few while I wasn't lookin'...hhhmph!

Make sure the excess chocolate drips off and then sprinkle with the crushed peppermints on all sides.  I tried rolling them and that was too messy...so sprinkling is best.   Stand each pretzel, coated side up, in a coffee mug or any short glass until candy coating hardens, about 1 hr.

Happy days are here again!

Let me know how you looooove these goodies!