Mamaw’s Old-Timey Fudge - Old Fashioned Recipe - Twelve Days of Christmas - Day #6

Mamaw’s Old-Timey Fudge

3 cups sugar
2/3 cups Hershey cocoa
1/8 teaspoon salt
12 ounce can evaporated milk
1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup pecan pieces, optional

Line an 8x8 inch dish (or smaller) with foil and butter the foil. Set aside.

In a large heavy - bottomed sauce pan (at least 3 quarts), whisk together the sugar, cocoa, and salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the evaporated milk and turn the heat on medium high.

Once the sugar and cocoa have dissolved, put a candy thermometer in the candy and begin boiling the mixture. Once it comes to a boil, stop stirring! Reduce the heat to medium and let it gently boil until it reaches 235°. This will take approximately 12 to 13 minutes. 

When it reaches 235°, add the better and vanilla without stirring and remove it from the heat. Do not stir! Allow it to sit undisturbed until the temperature drops to 115°. Then add nut if you were adding them. Beat the fudge with your wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes or until it loses its glossiness. As soon as the shine disappears, pour it immediately into your foil lined 8 x 8” dish (or smaller if you want thicker fudge) and gently spread it. Allow it to cool completely and harden. Cut with a sharp knife.


CONTACT INFORMATION:
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P.O. Box 1041
Mt. Sterling, KY 40353

#christmascandy #fudge #christmasfudge #chocolatefudgerecipe

[tommieopell]

I agree about the wooden spoon. I don't make divinity unless the sun has been shining for a couple of days.

[carolynwilson]

Im 76 year old Scottish lady who has always called evaporated milk, Carnation Milk, thought it was funny you do same. Love your programme.

[robbiefolkert]

grandmas just know when it looks right!!!

[ramonagatewood]

Mom didn't have a candy thermometer for years, but she always made lots of candy for the holidays. She always used the soft ball stage method, dribbling a little of the chocolate mixture in some cool water to form a small soft ball

[teressaschroerlucke]

Yes, I remember the Cocoa can where you popped The top up. I think it kept better in metal cans.❤❤

[jeannettethorsby]

I agree you definitely can mail this type of fudge. My husband was on Navy Wes Pac, which means their gone for 6 months or longer. He was gone for Christmas. I decided since he wasn't with us. I'd send Christmas to him. I baked all the cookies and candies I normally did every Christmas. I put all of the candies and cookies in ziploc bags and then into sealable containers. He got it all about a month later. He said everything was fresh tasting and yummy. The guys on the ship found out what he got in the mail, and to this day, I laugh. My husband traded those treats for guard duty shifts and chores! He told me he missed us, but what I sent him helped him get through not being with my sons and I for Christmas. Wanna laugh? Toilet paper was a hot commodity on ships. The ship always ran out. I sent him a 24 pack of TP, and he guarded that toilet paper big time! 🙂🦋

[sheryldougherty]

Your memory of your grandma took me back to my grandparents. They lived next to each other next door to our house. One Friday night was with one grandma and the next with the other grandma. My grandpa lived next door to both grandmas. So on our property was 4 houses. They each taught me their strengths. My grandpa was an amazing story teller. Their trip from Kentucky to Colorado during the depression.

[TeReSa-T]

My mama never used a wooden . She used a regular spoon. No thermometer, just the water thing. The fudge was poured on a big serving platter to cool. It was the best grainy fudge I ever had. That pot and spoon never had a chance with me. Lol

[crissytate]

Iam 74 remember the women make this I was kid they never used woden spoon and tested with water in a glass and didn't let it cool just started beating it long time and poured onto big plate or platter I make mine like you did except cool to 115 will try it makes me want some haven't had any since my husband passed five yrs ago he sure loved his fudge we were married 52 years just teens miss him so much this fudge makes me think about times gone by I can understand your mamaw. Wanting to move happy you had her to remember God Bless you both ty for sharing❤

[cassyharrison]

As a newlywed back in the late 60s, I tried making this fudge, and had no idea what I was doing. With no candy thermometer, I tried doing the "soft-ball stage". It ended up so rock hard, my husband drilled a small hole in it, and then proceeded to hang it on the wall, chuckling evilly the whole time. I may have to try this again, WITH a candy thermometer. Yours looks absolutely wonderful!

[NancyParker-wfeq]

I remember making this fudge on my wood cook stove back in the 1980s in the woods of Maine. I got my recipe from a story in Guideposts magazine entitled "Mamaw's Peaceable Fudge".
The story was about a girl who was bullied at school and her Mamaw taught her how to make this fudge. The girl gifted it to the bully and he never was mean to her again. I loved the story and the fudge. Thanks for reviving that memory.

[markgordon]

My grandmother and mother made this. I was born in 1969, so they made it before that. My grandmother was born in 1905 and my mom in 1935. They cooked for years. I loved this fudge.

[SandyKB]

I just found your page by accident, really, and I'm so glad I did! I'm originally a Montgomery Countian! Total Indian at heart!
My grandmother's fudge was always shiny/glossy on top when it was set, and it had a crackled look to it. That was my favorite part. Well, the taste was my favorite too!
My parents used to make fudge as well, chocolate and peanut butter, with and without nuts. They always used a glass of water to check when it was ready.

[bretasmith]

I remember this recipe from my childhood. Evaporated milk was always called Pet milk in our family. I recently sent my grandson in the store to buy some Pet milk. He was looking in the aisle where they have pet (animal) food. He finally called me and asked me if I knew what aisle it was on. 😂

[JUDYMATHEW-pwfl]

LOVE TOM'S STORIES. LOVE THAT HE OFFERS MELISSA THE FIRST BITE SUCH A LOVING COUPLE

[maddogbec]

Yes this recipe was on the can of cocoa from when I was a child. My mom always poured it on a buttered platter as well.
My mom made it every Friday night with popcorn.
What memories 😃 thank you 🙏

[lindaoneill]

Yes l remember those old Hershey's boxes
GOOD memories.

[justme-tzyj]

Tom, as my daughter would say, "You weren't spoiled, you were well loved"! Love your videos.

[lindaschmidt]

That's the kind I like, a firm fudge. We would go visit grandma and grandpa in Michigan and have a fudge cook-off, every night someone different would make a batch. 😂

[maryellenanderson]

I like that. Youuse every drop of product. You waste nothing. So many people are wasteful.