I gave a few edible gifts again this year for the holidays. Sometimes there’s just so much stuff. I like a few gifts in there that can be consumed, used, and then gone. I haven’t gotten crazy with my packaging but maybe I’ll have my act together enough sometime.
This year I made my Dad some mocha fudge. He was telling me about some mocha fudge he had on a vacation he and my mom took so I nabbed that subtle hint and ran with it. Now let’s also set the stage: I don’t bake a lot. Making candy? Umm nope, never. My grandma used to make it and she wasn’t really a cook, so I figured if she could do it, I’d definitely give it a whirl.
I followed the instructions EXACTLY. Fluff’s no-fail fudge seemed simple enough and I did it! Woohoo! Spoiler alert: success!
I made a half batch and it was quite a lot of fudge. Plan on giving it away. It won’t help your New Year’s resolutions one bit. I swear. I’ll stop tempting you soon.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 5 oz. can evaporated milk (2/3 c.)
1 Jar (7 1/2oz) Marshmallow Fluff
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1 12-oz. package semi-sweet chocolate pieces
espresso
Directions:
Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. (I lined a pan with parchment paper instead.)
In large saucepan combine the first sugar, salt, butter/margarine, and evaporated milk.
Add fluff and stir over low heat until blended.
Increase heat to Medium and bring to a full-rolling boil being careful not to mistake escaping air bubbles for boiling. Boil slowly, stirring constantly for 5 minutes (use Soft-Ball test).
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, chocolate pieces, and espresso until chocolate is melted.
Turn into greased pan and cool.
The original recipe makes 2 1/2 pounds. That is a heck of a lot for one person. I used a 9×9 pan and really liked the thickness. I can’t imagine my fudge doubled in that same size pan. The half batch is borderline-too-much-for-one-person.
While it was hot, it didn’t seem very mocha flavored. I let it sit for a few hours then I thought the flavor came out big time. I gifted it in a holiday tin with wax paper. I didn’t cut it into bite sized pieces since it will get stale and hard faster.
I was psyched it worked so well. I want to try my hand at chocolate peanut butter fudge next! I just need a willing recipient…