This is the year my mother wanted fudge. My mom's tastes have really changed. She still likes caramel, but likes chocolate, too...especially fudge with walnuts. AND...she asked me for some divinity. I hadn't even seen my mother make it because when she was flying around in the kitchen I was completely in the way.
So I started trying different recipes. I needed to take fudge to the Community Christmas Celebration and my fudge, even though I had it in the refrigerator overnight it was still like syrup, yucky. There went 25 bucks. Oh fudge! I tried the marshmallow fudge and messed that one up, too. Again, so much money down the disposal. Then, I DID IT and here's the easiest and honestly my family devoured every piece and me, I didn't taste it. I just looked at it because I finally accomplished making my family, including my mom, really a great candy. Mom still thinks I bought it, but I know.
Fabulous Five-Minute Fudge
Makes: 24 servings
Prep: 5 min. Chill: 30 min. I changed only one thing. I mixed regular chocolate pieces with the semi-sweet because most of my family like just plain chocolate and not the real dark pieces and for once it worked-out great and it's just 5 minutes. I got it off the Internet and not out of a recipe book or someone's recollection or little notes in a recipe box. I did it.
Ingredients:
12 ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces (2 cups)
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (one-half of a 14-ounce can)
1 tablespoon water
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
1. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper; set aside. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate pieces, sweetened condensed milk, and water.
2. Microwave, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 1 minute more, or until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour mixture onto prepared cookie sheet and spread it into a 9x6-inch rectangle, or drop mixture by rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheet.
3. Chill fudge about 30 minutes or until firm. Cut fudge into 1-1/2-inch squares. Makes 24 pieces
I made this three times and it worked every time the same way,
so I'm keeping this recipe on my computer. I'm not going to try any other.
The divinity was harder, so much harder so I opted for a short-cut. The candy didn't quite taste the same, but my mother knew I made it. It was lighter and fluffy. I was just hoping it wasn't like hard taffy. The only way one of the ingredients is available is over the Internet. I bought the Betty Crocker Fluffy Frosting Mix on Amazon of all places.
No Cook Divinity
Ingredients
1 pkg Betty Crocker or Jiffy fluffy white frosting mix
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup boiling water
1 (16 oz.) package confectioner’s sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
Combine frosting mix (dry), corn syrup, vanilla and boiling water in small mixing bowl. Beat on highest speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large mixer bowl; on low speed or by hand, gradually blend in sugar, stir in nuts. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. When outside of candy feels firm, turn over and allow to dry at least 12 hours. Store candy in airtight container.
Makes 5 to 6 dozen
My talented daughter, Larin helped me out with my Visiting Teaching gifts and gifts to me friends by sending me jars topped with fake cupcakes on top. I filled the jars with the cellophane bags of fudge and divinity. I'm more than grateful for the grand decorated jars because I had something to give that wasn't just a homemade card, seasonal decoration, or a throw-away. The jars are beautiful and she even sells them on Etsy. It is wonderful to have something to give at Christmas to help make me brave enough to take to my sisters. The two that I'm blessed to visit are treasures and bot of them deserve great gifts.
"Cupcake" sounds like my little granddaughter!
Pink, fluffy, silly, and full of love.
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