Sweets for the Sweet - Chocolate Mint Fudge

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I've just finished making a double batch of this fudge for a holiday bake sale. Candy has proved to be popular at the sales that are held just before Valentine's Day and this recipe is so simple that I was delighted to contribute something, especially when it is so easy to make. This is truly a no-stress confection. There are a boatload of fudge recipes floating through cyberspace. I chose this one because the use of two types of chocolate and peppermint oil or extract make it more interesting than most. I use oil rather than extract in baking because I prefer its more intense flavor, but it is important to know that one can't be substituted for the other in a one-to-one ratio. Peppermint oil is four times stronger than extract and it does not bake off when exposed to oven heat. The oil is available at farmer's markets in my area, but Ive been told it can also be ordered from the King Arthur website. You'll notice that I've used the old-fashioned method for melting chocolate. This again is a personal preference and while I often use the microwave to melt chocolate, I've found there is less chance of it seizing in this recipe when I use a double boiler and take it nice and slow. This recipe was originally developed for Taste of Home magazine and you can their version  here.  If you are looking for something simply scrumptious to prepare for Valentine's Day, you might want to give this recipe a try. Here is how the mint fudge is made.

Chocolate Mint Fudge...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Taste of Home magazine

Ingredients:
1-1/2 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon butter, divided use
2 cups (12-oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1 package (11.5-oz.) milk chocolate chips
1 can (14-oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/8 teaspoon peppermint oil or 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1) Line a 10 x 6-inch pan with foil and grease it with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter. Set aside.
2) Melt chocolate chips and reserved 1 tablespoons butter in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and quickly stir in condensed milk and extracts, stirring until smooth. Spread into prepared pan. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Remove foil and cut fudge into 1-inch pieces. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 60 pieces.

One Year Ago Today: Catfish Fingers with Tomato Tartar Sauce

Two Years Ago Today: Paella fried Rice and Bread Soup

Three years Ago Today: Crumpets

Cherry Berry Fudge

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...As a child I was regularly scolded for the way I picked chocolates from a box. While I still consider it to be terribly unfair, we were expected to eat whatever we took from the box. I was about six years old when I learned a well-placed thumb in the bottom of a chocolate would assure that I didn't have to deal with the dreaded coconut or candied fruit that masqueraded as candy. As far as I was concerned, they were only a step or two above canned peas and any scolding I received was far better than having them cross my lips. I still have that aversion. The trouble is the Silver Fox does not. He loves both. Several years ago I found a really quick recipe for a chocolate and berry fudge that I make for him at this time of year. It is very easy to prepare and the type of dried fruit that is used to make it can be varied. He prefers cherry, but cranberries, blueberries or apricots can also be used. This is as straight forwarded as a candy recipe can get and if you enjoy the chocolate and fruit combination, you'll love the fudge. As for me, I find solace in turtles or chocolate covered caramels. Here's the recipe for a cherry berry fudge that's perfect for Valentine's Day.

Cherry Berry Fudge...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Taste of Home Magazine

Ingredients:
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package (6 ounces) dried cherries
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1) Line an 8-in. square pan with foil. Coat foil with cooking spray. Set aside.
2) In a heavy saucepan, combine chocolate chips and corn syrup. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Remove from the heat.
3) Stir in confectioners’ sugar, milk and vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon until thickened and glossy, about 5 minutes. Stir in cherries and walnuts. Spread into prepared pan; refrigerate until firm.
4) Using foil, lift fudge out of pan; discard foil. Cut fudge into 1-in. squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Yield: 1-1/3 pounds (64 pieces).







One Year Ago Today: Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Yogurt Sauce
















Two Years Ago Today: Marbled Sweetheart Sugar Cookies

Nutella and Hazelnut Fudge

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This simple recipe for Nutella fudge is a bit different than the one that was so popular on blogs during the run-up to the Christmas holiday. This version was developed by Elizabeth LaBau who writes the candy guide at About.com. It's a nice recipe and with Valentine's Day just ahead of us, I thought those of you who make candy for your sweet things might like to see the recipe before V-Day actually arrives. This fudge is made with Nutella and it gets an added flavor boost from the addition of toasted hazelnuts. Hazelnuts, or filberts, if you prefer, are a major crop in the state of Oregon, so I use them a lot in my cooking. As a matter of fact, I like them well enough to go for extra flavor whenever I can, so I use hazelnut rather than vanilla extract when I make this fudge. I realize that most of you live in areas where hazelnut extract can't be found. If you'd like to try it, a quick "google" search will return several sources from which it can be ordered. This fudge is fine when made with vanilla but its flavor is really enhanced by the addition of the hazelnut extract. It is smooth and creamy and if you like fudge, you'll like this version. Here's how it is made.

Nutella and Hazelnut Fudge...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Elizabeth LaBau

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups (9-oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (7-oz.) jar marshmallow cream
1 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread, like Nutella
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1-1/2 teaspoons hazelnut extract
1/2 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts (optional)

Directions:
1) Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2) Place sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar and butter dissolve, then wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming.
3) Insert a candy thermometer into syrup and cook, stirring constantly, until temperature reaches 236 degrees F (113 C). If you are not using a candy thermometer, bring candy to a rapid boil for 5 minutes.
4) After it reaches 236 F, or 5 minutes of boiling, remove pan from heat and add chocolate chips, stirring until they're completely melted.
5) Next add marshmallow cream, Nutella, and vanilla extract, and stir until everything is well-mixed. Add chopped toasted hazelnuts last, if you're using them.
6) Scrape fudge into prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Allow fudge to sit at room temperature to firm up, for about 2 hours, or refrigerate for 45 minutes.
7) Once set, remove fudge from pan using foil handles. Cut it into small 1-inch pieces to serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.







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Two Years Ago Today: Ravioli with Smoked Salmon and Vodka Sauce

Spiced Pumpkin Fudge

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I guess this fudge could be thought of as green candy. After I had mixed the last batch of holiday cookies, I still had some pumpkin left in the can. Rather than toss it, I went looking for recipes that used only 1/2 cup of pumpkin. I found what I was looking for on the Libby's Pumpkin website and decided to try their recipe for pumpkin fudge. It sounded interesting and the recipe was straight forward, so, withing 3 hours I had fudge to add to the special treat bags I put together for the neighborhood children. Our home is perched on a hillside and the driveway that leads to it is steep in the extreme. Not many are willing to brave it, so we drop off treats for the children rather than have them come to us. The fudge was meant as an adult treat for their parents. The recipe can be made with white chocolate or butterscotch chips. I decided to go with the butterscotch version because that was what I had in my pantry. I also used my homemade pie spice (see Cook's Note below) rather than a commercial brand, but other than that I followed the recipe to a tee. It makes a very sweet fudge that will satisfy the most insistent sugar urge. While it may put the rest of us into sugar shock, it is nicely flavored and I can recommend it to those of you who really enjoy sweet things. The spicing makes the fudge a bit unusual and it certainly is seasonal. Here's the recipe for those of you who would like to give it a try.

Spiced Pumpkin Fudge...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy Libby's Pumpkin

Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup or 5-ounce can evaporated milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 cups butterscotch baking chips
1 (7 oz.) jar marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped pecans
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:
1) Line a 9 × 13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving some hanging over the sides for easy removal.
2) Combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, pumpkin, butter and spice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 10 to 12 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches 234 to 240 degrees F.
3) Quickly stir in butterscotch chips, marshmallow creme, pecans and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until butterscotch chips are melted. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Let stand on wire rack for 2 hours, or until completely cooled. Refrigerate tightly covered. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Yield: 64 pieces (3 pounds).

Cook's Note: Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice: Combine 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon mace, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves.

One Year Ago Today: Clam Fritters
















Two Years Ago Today: Cranberry Souffle

Peanut Butter Fudge

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is a wonderful recipe to have on hand when you've promised to contribute something to a bake sale and are running short of time. The recipe was developed by Alton Brown and it's a winner on several level, the most important being taste. The fudge is delicious. It is also extremely easy to make and can be prepared with peanut butter or Nutella. When things are this simple, there is one thing you should keep in mind. If you love to experiment, this is not the recipe for you. Measurements, especially the one for confectioners' sugar, needs be exact and you'll have a tragedy on your hands if you venture too far from the weights and measures listed in the ingredients list. It really is necessary to weigh the sugar or buy a pre-measured 1-pound box. In either case, the sugar should be sifted to eliminate lumps. The recipe is misleading in some respects. It uses words like pour, when scrape and pat are more appropriate and it neglects to tell you the paper used to line the pan must be buttered. The mixture is very hard to work with a spoon. I found there is a point at which it becomes easier to mix with immaculately clean, ringless hands and keep that your little secret. I certainly promise not to tell. This has proved to be an extremely popular recipe at the Food Network. Hundreds of people have made the fudge and you can read their comments here. Some of the responders have used soft margarine to achieve a candy with a softer fudge texture. The basic recipe produces 1-inch squares of fudge-like candy. I've found that the candy has enough body to be formed into balls which can then be rolled in chopped salted peanuts. The batch I made today was heading to a bake sale, so I stuck with the classic cube shape. I obviously prefer the peanut butter fudge balls. I hope you'll check the comments regarding this treat over at the Food Network. Here's the recipe.

Peanut Butter Fudge...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Alton Brown

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, plus more for greasing pan
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound powdered sugar

Directions:
Microwave butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar to peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Pour into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with waxed paper. Place a second piece of waxed paper on the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool. Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container for up to a week. Yield: 64 1-inch pieces.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Chocolate Nut Butter No Bake Fudge - Lisa's Kitchen
Rocky Road Fudge Candy - Baking and Boys
Sweet Dreams Chocolate Fudge Candy - Deep South Dish
Peanut Butter Fudge - Brown Eyed Baker
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge - A Bitchin' Kitchen
Easy Cocoa Peanut Butter Fudge - At Home in Alaska
Butter Pecan Fudge - Sweetnicks
White Sweetheart Fudge - Get Cooking
Espresso Fudge - Our Kitchen
Dad's Favorite Fudge - Simply Recipes
Eggnog Fudge - The Recipe Girl
Fine Cooking Fudge - Cookie Madness

Forget Me Not Fudge - Foodie Friday

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is a really simple recipe and because candy is such an integral part of our Valentine's Day celebrations, I thought this would be the perfect time for this delicious spiked fudge to make its debut. The recipe uses just six ingredients and consistently produces a rich, smooth fudge that's never grainy. The recipe was developed by Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. If you prefer, you can substitute one teaspoon of vanilla extract for the small amount of bourbon used in the recipe. If you're looking for a chocolate confection to make for someone special, look no further. Once you've assembled the ingredients, you'll need about 10 minutes to make the fudge. It's necessary to keep it in a cool spot for 6 to 8 hours to set before cutting. This recipe makes a lot of fudge, so round up friends to share it with or cut the recipe in half. Here's how the fudge is made.

Forget Me Not Fudge...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite adapted from a recipe by Maker's Mark

Ingredients:
4-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 (13-oz.) can evaporated milk
9-oz. bittersweet chocolate morsels
9-oz. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1/2 pound butter, cut in 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon Kentucky bourbon
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:
1) Combine sugar and evaporated milk in a large (4-quart) saucepan. Bring to a boil over moderate heat. Boil for exactly 6 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
2) Add chocolate morsels, butter, bourbon and pecans. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
3) Pour into a well-greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Smooth top. Allow to set in a cool place for 6 to 8 hours. Cut into 1 x 1-inch squares.

You might also enjoy:

Candied Orange and Lemon Peel
Pink Peppermint Patties
White Chocolate Truffles

This recipe is being linked to:
Designs By Gollum - Foodie Friday