I LOVE Fall! Not only is the oppressive heat of summer relenting, but the cool crisp morning air reminds me it is time to make fudge. Yeah!!
For two months I make fudge. It started several years ago with my personal desire to find a fudge receipe I liked to eat. Now it's a project with a life of its own...haha I make dozens of batches each year! And the coolest part - I don't actually eat much of it. My thing is eating the warm fudge out of the pot...and when I make fudge several times a week - I get to eat my warm spoonful and I'm good for a couple days.
My grandmother used to make fudge from powdered Cocoa. I remember watching drops of hot fudge hit the water in a glass and sink to the bottom. Somehow she could tell by the way the hot fudge reacted with the cold water if it was done. I never could tell. And tried quite unsuccessfully, several times, to duplicate her powdered cocoa fudge.
Another memory is of one of my best friends in school's mother. She made marshmellow creme fudge. And it didn't seem as long or complicated a process as grandma's fudge. That was good fudge - though not real fudgy tasting. I think the marshmellow to chocolate ratio was off a little.
Then came the times I started playing with the receipes that I liked. Now I finally have a fudge receipe that will work with most flavors of chocolate, and of course peanut butter. It's creamy and soft - but holds a good shape if kept semi cool. Good stuff!!
My fudge ritual now includes family and friends, as well as favorite clients. I even have some friends/business associates who have used my fudge as gifts to their own clients.
My friends tease me a little near the end of summer. I send out a 'notice' about fudge season...haha Most of the ones who get fudge every year have learned to get their 'orders' in early so I'll put them on my calendar. I try to make the fudge no more than a week before it is delivered so it will be as fresh as possible and give them more time to use/eat, deliver or freeze.
And I've tried a couple new flavors because of friends requests. Personally I don't like peanut butter fudge - it's just too strong for my tastes. But several friends requested it, I tried it one year to let them see if the flavor would work, and now I have people with standing yearly 'orders' for peanut butter fudge.
We've also come up with several creative ways to package the goodies:
Leave it in cake form for them to cut later - just wrap it in color plastic wrap and add some ribbons - looks good and goes straight into the frig for keeping. I have a couple friends who like to cut their own. They 'say' its so they won't nibble on it until it is cut for a party or gathering. That might work...
Cut it up before - and put several pieces in a decorative baggie with a ribbon and card. One client orders fudge from me to put as party favors for their office/client Christmas dinner/party. She wraps pieces up in a baggie with a business card and ribbon for clients and guests to take with them as they leave. "Party Favor Fudge" This is a good way to use a little fudge for a lot of little gifts...
This year one client has asked me to cut it in shapes - like you would cookies - trees, Santa, bells. It'll be fun trying. I can't decide if I should poor the fudge into the shapes and let it cool that way or just cut the shapes afterwards. Remember, fudge is usually thicker than cookies. No promises - this will be interesting. I'll have to let you know on this one.
I'd love to hear other ideas.
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