Jon Brandt

Jon Brandt

CFRE, (he·him·his)

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Holiday Recipe: Grandma’s Fudge

This is my mother’s recipe, which she got from her mother. It is a family tradition to make a batch for Christmas, and if her children could not be home for Christmas she would send us a batch in the mail.

My sister and I, and now my daughter, continue the tradition. 

It can be a bit tricky, and the fudge sometimes doesn’t set as well as you would want (this is a hard fudge, not soft). My mother was always better at it than I, and I have to use a thermometer. She went by instinct. When it doesn’t set properly, take a small spoonful and roll in powdered sugar and/or chopped peanuts for an excellent replacement. 

It is neither GF or lactose-free and I haven’t attempted substitutes. It is, however, excellent. And always tastes like Christmas to me.

 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup cocoa
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Salt

 

Mom’s Instructions

  1. Cook milk, butter, sugar, cocoa, and a dash of salt for 12‑14 minutes. 
  2. Add flour and vanilla. Stir briskly until well mixed. 
  3. Pour onto a lightly buttered cookie sheet.

 

Jon’s Additional Instructions

  1. Mix ingredients until everything has melted, then let boil without stirring until it reaches 115C.
  2. Take off the burner and let cool for at least 5 minutes, add flour and vanilla, whisk excessively. Should be approximately 60C when adding flour.