My mother always made fudge from the recipe on the Hershey’s can. Over the years I have played with that recipe and this is my version.
You may use any kind of nut you like (or none at all). Every Christmas my parents and children request this fudge and I am happy to make it for them. I’m sure you and your family will love it, too!
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter
- 5 cups granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 can evaporated milk (12 oz)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
How To Make old timey fudge
Step 1
Set up a work area for tempering the fudge. I run about 3 inches of cold water in the sink and lay out a dish towel next to it. The water will be to quickly cool the chocolate and then you set the pot on the towel and stir. The towel also keeps you from dripping water when you pour the chocolate.
Step 2
Coat an 8×12 pan or 9×13 with butter and set next to the towel.
Step 3
Cut remaining butter and set aside.
Step 4
In a 6 quart pot add sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. DO NOT TURN ON THE HEAT YET!
Step 5
Using the flat side of a spatula mix well. You do not want clumps.
Step 6
Add both milks and stir til well mixed and there are no lumps. Turn heat on to medium-high and bring to a boil. Notice how it looks like there is not much in the pot. Stir CONSTANTLY.
Step 7
As the mixture heats up it will bubble up.
Step 8
When it reaches a certain temperature it will start to go back down. It will start to really shine.
Step 9
Step 9
Every now and then do a water test. To do this, fill a glass with cold water and drop some fudge mixture into it. When it reaches the softball stage remove from heat. Soft ball stage is 240 degrees. The soft ball stage is when you can roll the drop into a soft ball.
Step 10
Add vanilla extract and stir. it will bubble up some as it burns off the alcohol.
Step 11
Add butter and stir.
Step 12
Now dip pot into water in sink for 4-5 seconds then place on towel and stir. Repeat several times.
Step 13
The mixture will begin to thicken.
Step 14
Add nuts and stir.
Step 15
The mixture will start to look a little dull. Hurry and pour into the buttered pan.
Step 16
Sprinkle a little nuts on top if you want.
Step 17
Let set up for 20 minutes then cut with a smooth-bladed knife. Let cool completely before putting it in a bag or tin. Otherwise, it will sweat and not look so pretty.
