Daddy’s Fudge

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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…

5.0 from 2 reviews
Daddy's Fudge
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Cook time: 
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Serves: 1.5 pounds
 
My father's recipe for homemade fudge.
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. Combine the marshmallow cream, evaporated milk, sugar, butter and salt in a medium-sized saucepan.
  2. Bring to a full boil and cook, stirring for 5 minutes, while the mixture continues to boil.
  3. Remove from the heat. Stir in the chocolate, coffee and vanilla.
  4. Pour into a lightly buttered 8-inch metal baking pan.
  5. Chill for 2 hours (minimum) in the fridge, then cut into pieces and enjoy.

 

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33 Responses to Daddy’s Fudge

  1. Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence February 7, 2014 at 10:40 am #

    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?

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 10:42 am #

      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…

  2. valentina February 7, 2014 at 11:26 am #

    Liz, these look divine, and perfect for Valentine’s Day. I LOVE recipes that have been passed down — nostalgic deliciousness!

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 12:13 pm #

      Thanks, Valentina, I have lots of family recipes but most are from women in my family – anything from my Dad is extra special.

  3. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious February 7, 2014 at 12:36 pm #

    This is pater-perfection!

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 12:51 pm #

      Love this, Dorothy!

  4. Jayne February 7, 2014 at 12:53 pm #

    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!

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 12:59 pm #

      My Dad was always very proud of his cooking creations – when he did cook…

  5. Laura @ Family Spice February 7, 2014 at 1:36 pm #

    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!

  6. Lynda - TasteFood February 7, 2014 at 1:39 pm #

    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.

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 3:08 pm #

      You are so right, Lynda, I remember the shops rolling out the fudge on large marble tables.

  7. kristy @ the wicked noodle February 7, 2014 at 1:53 pm #

    Sounds delicious, Liz, just what I’m in the mood for! I’m going to make some tonight for myself and my little ones!

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 3:07 pm #

      And I’m thinking about your post and making those –

  8. Stephanie, The Recipe Renovator February 7, 2014 at 2:17 pm #

    Love the stories, Liz, always.

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 3:07 pm #

      Thanks, Stephanie, Delighted to read of your family’s updates and news.

  9. Suzanne February 7, 2014 at 2:33 pm #

    I love fudge, this sounds like a really good recipe. Saved to make for Valentines day I think we will love it!

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 3:06 pm #

      Cutting back on the amount of sugar was a good idea, I think – hope you try it.

      • Suzanne February 8, 2014 at 12:13 pm #

        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.

        • Liz February 8, 2014 at 4:06 pm #

          Reducing the sugar and adding the coffee avoids that overly sweet taste of so many fudge recipes.

  10. sippitysup February 7, 2014 at 3:49 pm #

    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

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 4:16 pm #

      And I will bet it was terrific – nuts or no nuts?

  11. Wendy Read February 7, 2014 at 4:31 pm #

    Oh yes!!! Daddy’s fudge looks to be da bomb! Love the back story too. XX

    • Liz February 7, 2014 at 5:16 pm #

      Thanks, Wendy – love the term “back story” – still learning from you experts.

  12. Gisele akaLA2LAChef February 7, 2014 at 8:24 pm #

    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.

    • Liz February 8, 2014 at 8:32 am #

      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.

  13. Beth (OMG! Yummy) February 8, 2014 at 10:12 am #

    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

    • Liz February 8, 2014 at 10:28 am #

      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…

  14. The Wimpy Vegetarian February 9, 2014 at 8:56 am #

    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 🙂

    • Liz February 9, 2014 at 9:39 am #

      Thanks, Susan – Larry’s batch has already been eaten and he’s not getting another before V. Day 😉

  15. Rosa @HHR February 14, 2014 at 10:58 am #

    Looks so good! I really love fudge but have never made it.

    • Liz February 14, 2014 at 11:00 am #

      It’s such an easy recipe, Rosa, and I hope you try it.

  16. Oui, Chef February 25, 2014 at 8:29 am #

    Hippie days, huh? Sounds like there could be some interesting stories there.

    • Liz February 25, 2014 at 8:42 am #

      Yep.

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