Back in my college hippie days, my Dad used to make batches of his delicious made-from-scratch fudge and send me some in a shoe box. My roommates and I used to devour the stuff, sometimes when the “munchies” hit us after we had sampled a little you-know-what.
But those days are long gone – and here comes Valentine’s Day. Amazingly, I had never tried to make my father’s recipe and this seemed a great opportunity to try making it. I had hopes that it would be a hit with Larry for a Valentine treat.
Years have passed since my Dad had made his fudge. Ingredients have changed their sizes and weights. Marshmallow cream now comes “air-puffed” and evaporated milk in skimpy five-ounce cans. I made a few adjustments, reducing the sugar and adding some coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor, and held my breath.
Larry looked over my shoulder as I was stirring the fudge, and asked me if I was using the “soft ball” method. Nope, I said, I had put my faith into my father’s recipe. Turns out that my first batch of  Daddy’s homemade fudge came out just fine…
- 1 7-ounce jar marshmallow cream
- 1 5-ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 cup white sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 12-ounce bag semi-sweet Ghirardelli chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Combine the marshmallow cream, evaporated milk, sugar, butter and salt in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Bring to a full boil and cook, stirring for 5 minutes, while the mixture continues to boil.
- Remove from the heat. Stir in the chocolate, coffee and vanilla.
- Pour into a lightly buttered 8-inch metal baking pan.
- Chill for 2 hours (minimum) in the fridge, then cut into pieces and enjoy.
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This seems so simple and delicious! And I love sneaking in a little coffee to make chocolate taste more like… chocolate. It’s an Ina tip that’s always stuck with me. How long will this keep in the fridge?
I’d say a week, easy, Brandon – and I was putting coffee into chocolate recipes way before Ina was writing cookbooks. I forget where I got the tip – certainly wasn’t my idea…
Liz, these look divine, and perfect for Valentine’s Day. I LOVE recipes that have been passed down — nostalgic deliciousness!
Thanks, Valentina, I have lots of family recipes but most are from women in my family – anything from my Dad is extra special.
This is pater-perfection!
Love this, Dorothy!
How special to have your Dad’s recipe! My Dad used to cook quite a lot when I was a child, what a treat it would be to have one of his recipes!
My Dad was always very proud of his cooking creations – when he did cook…
Oh, Daddy will be proud! Glad to see you found your inspiration again: family. I’m struggling, though, picturing you as a happy hippie. hee hee!
Fudge was always a treat for us during the New England summers in touristic coastal towns. I suspect this is very close to my memory.
You are so right, Lynda, I remember the shops rolling out the fudge on large marble tables.
Sounds delicious, Liz, just what I’m in the mood for! I’m going to make some tonight for myself and my little ones!
And I’m thinking about your post and making those –
Love the stories, Liz, always.
Thanks, Stephanie, Delighted to read of your family’s updates and news.
I love fudge, this sounds like a really good recipe. Saved to make for Valentines day I think we will love it!
Cutting back on the amount of sugar was a good idea, I think – hope you try it.
Both reducing the sugar and adding the coffee are excellent idea’s I have to get some marshmallow fluff or cream. Fudge is one of my favorite things and I always make it sans nuts.
Reducing the sugar and adding the coffee avoids that overly sweet taste of so many fudge recipes.
My dad was the only one who ever made fudge in my house. Which is really saying something because my mom was a terrific cook and my dad NEVER cooked. Except fudge at Christmas. GREG
And I will bet it was terrific – nuts or no nuts?
Oh yes!!! Daddy’s fudge looks to be da bomb! Love the back story too. XX
Thanks, Wendy – love the term “back story” – still learning from you experts.
Yum! I had an aunt who made the most delicious fudge ever ( I think it also had marshamallow cream in it). Unfortunately, he r recipe is lost tous now.
Since we are the same generation, I’ll bet your aunt’s recipe was similar to my Dad’s. I reduced the sugar by half a cup and added the coffee, my only tweaks here.
The only thing my dad ever made was hot cereal in the morning and cottage cheese latkes. I’m not sure he could even have found the sugar in the house. This looks yummy Liz. I think I am going to finally try my hand at truffles this week for Valentine’s Day and my daughter’s bday which collide happily on the 13 and 14.
Love Laura’s description of you as a happy hippie — LOL
Best birthday wishes for delicious truffles – which I have never made. Yes, I was a hippie of sorts but a serious student. Wish I had a photo of my with my beret, long hair and John Lennon glasses…
This is so perfect with Valentine’s around the corner. It looks so amazingly melt-in-your-mouth good. And how wonderful that you had this recipe of your dad’s 🙂
Thanks, Susan – Larry’s batch has already been eaten and he’s not getting another before V. Day 😉
Looks so good! I really love fudge but have never made it.
It’s such an easy recipe, Rosa, and I hope you try it.
Hippie days, huh? Sounds like there could be some interesting stories there.
Yep.