One of the best things that I did with my grandma growing up was bake! She could make the meanest batch of fudge I have ever tasted! Many of my students and even Chad's dad made fudge for Christmas and it was all delicious, but, it just wasn't grandma's. Their fudge was mushy, while grandma's is hard and melts in your mouth!
Grandma kept a stack of 3x5 note cards in a box to the left of her sink where she stored all of her recipes. The funny thing about that is I do the same thing, only on random pieces of paper and I keep them in a cabinet with all the spices! Just thinking about it now, but that is one thing grandma and I have in common! Where grandma's note cards went after she passed, I do not know, but I was determined to make her fudge today!
I called my dad and asked him about it, who told me to call my aunt Marcia. She gave me some good advice and even told me that she has attempted it with no luck, which made me set out to make it even more today! My dad and Marcia both said that my grandma always said it was the recipe on the Hershey's Cocoa can. Of course they don't have that recipe on the can anymore, but, with help from the Internet I found it! It is funny, but I was feeling all of this crazy pressure to get it just right, especially since no one else could do it beside grandma so far! To my surprise, I did it! I thought that it would take me several tries before I could get it right, but first time was a charm!
Kyan was a good sport and got his hands dirty (and lots of measuring spoons/cups) to make her fudge! This is a recipe that hopefully I can teach my kids to make and one day my grandchildren! Then I will be the granny that everyone remembers!
Kyan stirring, and stirring, and stirring - you can't leave this cast iron skillet for a second!
This is definitely not for those healthy eaters, if you are one...LOOK AWAY!
A candy thermometer, something that I think you NEED if you make this! Thanks Marcia for the strong encouragement to get it! Just don't get the soft ball thing yet?!
Done and done! My dad doesn't believe me, but it really does taste like grandma's!
Want to make this fudge? Here is the recipe:Old Fashioned Hard Fudge
3 cups sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Line 8 or 9 inch square pan with foil; butter foil. In a large heavy saucepan stir together first three ingredients; stir in milk, with a wooden spoon*. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Boil without stirring, to 234 degrees F. on a candy thermometer (or until syrup, when dropped in very cold water forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water.) Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. DO NOT STIR.
Cool at room temperature to 110 degrees F. (lukewarm). Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens and loses some of its gloss (this could be anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Quicikly spread into prepared pan; cool. You can store fudge in loosely wrapped wax/butter foil in the refrigerator.
*It is very important not to use a wire whisk or anything like that. Also just stir gently, even though the cocoa will stay floating on top. It will mix in as the mixture heats up.
*Also, make sure you use a cast iron pan/skillet, something to do with the way that it keeps the fudge cooking, even off the heat!
ENJOY!
3 comments:
I always feel like a loser when you put recipes up, because me NO LIKEY to cook! My theory is: the less food I keep in the house, the less I have to cook & the less I have to eat; therefore I will lose my baby weight!! HAA
P.S.- I am dyyying to try a bite of that though!
That looks yummy...I love trying new recipes! If you have any other keepers please share!:)
omg i want some......but im with candace ( even tho she is freakin skinny as hell lol) im on a mission......i got 13 more to get back.......but u knw me im tackin on 10 to that lol......
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