Food and Drink

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth with Delectable Fudge Recipes!

Published

4 months ago

January 3, 2024

Discover the drier version of fondant, known as fudge. It’s commonly found in confectionery, such as peppermint thins. Chefs at Capsicum Culinary Studio, SA’s top culinary school, are diving into the world of fudge.

Fudge dates back to the late 17th century. The term “fudge” originally meant to fit together or adjust. By 1800, it took on the meaning of a ‘hoax or cheat’. It became a kid-friendly expression, “Oh, fudge!” in the mid-century when something went wrong. Legend has it that the first batch of fudge came from a failed attempt at caramel-making. It allegedly resulted in the exclamation “Oh, fudge!” giving it its name.

The earliest mention of fudge dates to 1888 when an American, Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, shared her introduction to this sweet treat through a friend’s cousin. While Americans claim fudge as their invention, some believe it is inspired by Scotland’s tablet, a confectionery made with sugar, condensed milk, and butter, as noted in The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie in the early 18th century.

Noteworthy records include the world’s largest slab of fudge, weighing over 2,600kg, created at the Northwest Fudge Factory in Canada in 2010. But Mackinac Island in Michigan, a tiny island in the US, claims the title of the fudge capital of the world, with over a dozen fudge shops and an annual Fudge Festival in August.

In a delightful twist, Mamie Eisenhower, wife of the 34th US President Ike Eisenhower, was a devoted fudge fan. She crafted her recipe, Mamie’s Million-Dollar Fudge, featuring chopped nuts and marshmallow crème.

The essence of good fudge lies in sugar crystals. The size of sugar crystals determines the texture, with larger crystals resulting in a grainy taste and very tiny ones creating a creamy, sweet fudge.

Also read: Delicious Oat Cookie Recipe: Indulge in Scrumptious Homemade Treats

For those seeking a grown-up indulgence, an Amarula Fudge recipe is shared.

Blend 1 cup white sugar, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 80ml Amarula (or other liqueurs), 2 cups white chocolate chips, 10 large marshmallows, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Pour into a greased tin and let it cool before cutting into squares.

Explore the diverse fudge universe further with recipes like Carrot Cake and Chilli Fudge. The Carrot Cake Fudge combines: