According to history, fudge was developed by accident with a batch of failed candy; most likely caramels, sometime around 1886. From this spoiled candy batch came the phrase or the exclamation of ‘oh, fudge!’ The earliest written indication of fudge was in a letter from New York. A Vassar College student, Emelyn Battersby Hartidge, wrote that the cousin of a friend made fudge. In Baltimore in 1886, the candy cost 40 cents per pound. In 1888 Emelyn was given the recipe and made 30 pounds for a Vassar Senior Auction. Other colleges (Wellesley and Smith) later developed their own recipes for this sweet confectionery.
Just about everybody loves eating rich, flavorful fudge, but it is thought to be difficult to make. The first fudge recipes were very difficult and fairly vague. Difficulty largely depended on the quality of equipment, the recipe used, the type of ingredients and the patience to make it right. Also, being sure of the cooking time, exact measurements and nonstop stirring were pivotal for perfect fudge. Stirring at the proper time, and heating the ingredients to the correct temperature are also necessary for the fudge to be smooth and not gritty. Moreover it could be quite easy to under or over cook this sweet confectionery treat, which results in the candy not setting up or scorching.
Fudge by definition is a confection that is rich and creamy. A semi-soft confection, usually very smooth and made with fresh butter, corn syrup, sugar, sweet cream and sometimes some different incredible flavorings. Flavors could be butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, white chocolate, Kahlua, kool aid, peanut butter, flavored gelatin, buttermilk, mint, maple, pumpkin or even bourbon. Fudge might contain various nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios, roasted macadamia nuts, or almonds. Other possible ingredients that are found in the more unusual or decadent fudge may be: cheese, crackers, popcorn, crushed candy canes, pineapple chunks, candy bars, lime zest, coconut, cookies, espresso beans, caramel, chocolate chips, cherries and other candied or dried fruit, chunks of chocolate, or marshmallows.
In contrast with favorite candies dating back a thousand years and more, fudge is a relative new comer. Some of the earliest flavors of fudge included vanilla, chocolate and brown sugar penuche. The state of Michigan has become the fudge capital of the U.S. And nowadays the flavors or mixtures of ingredients are almost endless. Some of them are: vanilla cherry chocolate chip, lemon butter, vanilla caramel, raspberry coffee, chocolate cappuccino, maple walnut, chocolate caramel pecan, peanut butter, dark chocolate and chocolate cheesecake.
While the actual word fudge has multiple meanings, none of them are equivalent to the family favorite, premium chocolate fudge. Nearly always in the U.S., the word fudge means the rich and creamy, heavenly candy made with chocolate. At times you’ll find the word fudge is printed on the boxes of brownies or cakes, but all that really means is that they have a little additional chocolate flavor.
