fudge & sugarplums
Again. . . . I need to post some pre-holiday stuff here to play catch up before I forget.
Our holiday cards had a fudge recipe on it. An insanely easy fudge which is begging for customization. The recipe I used is from here and then I just added some mix-ins. I suggested adding cayenne (just a pinch) this year and called it "slightly naughty fudge" and it was suburb—but then later I made a batch that was even better (to me, of course, cooking being subjective and all) and I call it Salted Fudge.
I made a batch using the same recipe as above but used 1 part semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 parts milk chocolate chips, added a bit of vanilla, a teaspoon of instant espresso powder, and then on top very lightly sprinkled my fancy finishing salt mixed with a tiny bit of cinnamon and sugar. If you try this, make sure and dust it right away, the fudge sets super fast and then the salt and sugar won't stick on top.
Oh good lord almighty. Really. This finishing salt is crazy because it doesn't even taste like salt. Okay, I could go on here, but for the sake of brevity. . . the salt makes the whole chocolate thing very complex and so amazing. It's one of those "oh, what is in my mouth? It's is so good, perhaps it's not even food, but a bit of chewable heaven" moments. I had several friends and family members experience this as well when eating this stuff.
An all time favorite pre-Christmas photo. Now I have four Sugarplum Fairies. Thank you Hillary, they love them so much and so do I. And look, I even let the girls play with them. I have to. I tried to hide them twice and got totally busted.
Oh. My. Word. I need that fudge! Just bought your book - beautiful pictures and projects :-) I can't wait to start!
Posted by: Jenny | January 08, 2008 at 07:34 AM
such adorable fairies! i drooled over them at hillary's back when she posted them and they're even cuter here. i'm jealous. and look at those dresses- still loving them.
Posted by: julia | January 08, 2008 at 08:22 AM
I'm a big fan of Chipotle brownies so the fudge with cayenne and salt sounds fantastic to me. Where in the world do you buy finishing salt?
Posted by: the farmers wife | January 08, 2008 at 09:01 AM
That finishing salt sounds amazing. I will need to try that for sure. The fairies are even sweeter in your daughter's hands, and I love their holiday dresses.
Posted by: Lorien | January 08, 2008 at 09:12 AM
Mmm.. salt on chocolate. I went to a wine tasting in South Africa in May. They paired the wine with different chocolates, one of which had salt on the bottom. It was too strong for me, but a dusting would have been perfect.
And those dolls! Wow. What a generous and creative gift!
Hope you are well Amy. I wish you and your beautiful family the very best in 2008!
Posted by: africankelli | January 08, 2008 at 09:19 AM
I think that I would like this even better than Fran's sea salt caramels, because, fudge! yum. also, all of your sugarplum fairies are very very sweet.
Posted by: daria | January 08, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Amy, that fudge recipe is almost like one I got out of a 1957 Good Housekeeping magazine. It is from a Nestles advertisement and is called "Safety Fudge". I've always loved the title. I will try your variation next time. Love your book too. Have bought 3 copies. Going to teach my daughter-in-law and her friends to sew.
Posted by: Linda | January 08, 2008 at 09:42 AM
oh yes, sweet and salt AND chocolate IS heaven.
This Christmas I made a huge pan of gingerbread caramels (from MS) and sprinkled Sea Salt on top making sure each piece had a wonderful morsel... perfect! Unfortunately I could not stop eating them and then my teeth started to ache. oops!
Posted by: carol | January 08, 2008 at 09:47 AM
yay! cuties!!
I tried to hide your xmas cookies from Tim and was similarly busted :)
Posted by: hillary | January 08, 2008 at 09:49 AM
yum... chocolate and salt
the girls dresses and dolls adorable
Posted by: Nancy | January 08, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I tried a similar fudge recipe at Christmas this year from a cookbook my cousin sent me. Either it was insanely good, or this pregnant lady was REALLY craving fudge. I'm going with insanely good since hubby loved it too.
The cookbook is one that I think you'll really like, if you don't have it already: From Amish and Mennonite Kitchens by Phyllis Pellman Good and Rachel Thomas Pellman.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 08, 2008 at 10:47 AM
your girls are very lucky! I love Hillary's stuffies! the are soo adorable.
By the way your blog is making me hungry!!
Ellen
Posted by: ellen Crimi-Trent | January 08, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I just LOVE how Hillary's dolls match the dresses you made for your girls - blog magic!
Posted by: The List Writer | January 08, 2008 at 11:26 AM
The dolls are so adorable. Lucky you!
Posted by: Melissa | January 08, 2008 at 11:48 AM
wow,...that fudge looks delicious! and, that picture is precious!
Posted by: Lydia | January 08, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I want that fudge too! I also have your book (which I love) and just made my first headband! Polly x x x
Posted by: Polly | January 08, 2008 at 12:28 PM
What is it with everyone baking such yummy goodness? ::drool:: :D LOL I have been making biscuits, pancakes and bread from scratch... I feel a brownie fix coming on......
Posted by: Dianna | January 08, 2008 at 01:07 PM
What is it with everyone baking such yummy goodness? ::drool:: :D LOL I have been making biscuits, pancakes and bread from scratch... I feel a brownie fix coming on......
Posted by: Dianna | January 08, 2008 at 01:07 PM
OMGosh all I can think of now.. is where did I put those FUn Size Snicker bars, THANKS!LOL
Stacy
Posted by: Stacy T | January 08, 2008 at 02:05 PM
that sounds great! i am eager to try it. i'm curious-- which finishing salt did you use? there are lots of different kinds.
Posted by: Meredith | January 08, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Just when I'm trying to get rid of my Christmas tummy you give us this?! Love the idea of the salt, that's one of the things I enjoy about chocolate - especially the dark stuff. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.....
Posted by: Fer | January 08, 2008 at 05:49 PM
mmm, the Salty and the Sweet.
I'm thinking lavender...
oooh, or ginger...
Posted by: melissa@yummygoods | January 08, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Good idea on the salt. My favorite guilty pleasure were sea salt caramels from Trader Joe's. It about broke my heart to find they were seasonal. I may have to whip up a batch of your recipe to tide me over until next Christmas!
Posted by: emily | January 08, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Tell me it's sugar free. Otherwise I'm not even allowed to read about it let alone look at the photo. It does look like heaven!
Posted by: The Lazy Organizer | January 08, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Now that does look fantastic! I will have to try this one out ;)
Posted by: Rebecca | January 09, 2008 at 12:54 AM
I used to make fudge with a neighbour when I was little using condensed milk. The recipe has long been lost... But now, I can get making it again so a big thank you to you! I visited a fudge factory a few years ago in Florida - heaven...
Posted by: Dragonfly | January 09, 2008 at 01:11 AM
ah! i will make a portuguese verison of that fudge! yay!
Posted by: Zelia | January 09, 2008 at 01:30 AM
I've not heard of finishing salt before--so many things to learn in the world. Your fudge sounds divine and the sugar plum fairies are adorable.
Posted by: June | January 09, 2008 at 02:24 AM
this is the fudge I have been making for... hm 10 years now I think..it is ALWAYS a hit...no matter the combination I make. A favorite is to use white chocolate, small bit of vanilla or almond extract,pistachios and dried cranberries. So pretty when cut into squares. Rocky Road with marshmallows, dried currants, dried raisins and walnuts is also to die for. Peanut Butter chips and a couple handfulls of M&M's... this stuff is so versatile and failproof.
Posted by: Steph | January 09, 2008 at 05:03 AM
oh wow... salt on fudge?! it sounds *so good*... one of my favorite combinations is salted peanuts and dark chocolate (I'm more of a dark than milk chocolate gal; I like the bitterness). hehe! I shall have to bookmark that recipe for testing later... because one can never have too much fudge or chocolate. hehe!
hope you're having a lovely week! :)
Posted by: Casey | January 09, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Please please leave the typo in ("suburb" instead of "superb"). The suburbs frequently get a bad rap... maybe "suburb" will become the new superlative to apply to fantastically salty/sweet goodness. Signing off from the Houston suburbs now...
Posted by: rebecca | January 09, 2008 at 02:27 PM
That picture makes me SO HUNGRY. I need to get off the computer and go get some chocolate chips -- weak substitute!
Posted by: lynne | January 09, 2008 at 09:33 PM
that is such a good idea to put a recipe on your holiday card! i must remember to do that next year. that fudge looks divine. i'm totally craving chocolate right now (not that i'm ever not craving it...)
Posted by: tifanie | January 10, 2008 at 10:35 AM
sink pretzels in your fudge. yum.
Posted by: cara | January 12, 2008 at 01:33 PM
I just got your book and I ADORE IT!!! Also... you are a My Friend Jenny owner/lover.... YOU ARE now MY NEW BEST FRIEND!! *hugs*
Posted by: Nan | January 12, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Thank you for the great fudge ideas. I used a supposed tried and true, fan favorite recipe this year and somehow managed to botch it. I was doubling the recipe and making 2 different confections at once. I apparently suffered from brain overload and made a math error. Ugh! Edible and tasty, the flavor was right on, but it was too soft and just not true fudge. I'll try yours next time. Thanks!
Posted by: popsicles & lollipops | January 13, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I bet the finishing salt is great. We tried some Trader Joes fudge caramel thingies with salt at a Trader Joes demo at our library, and it sounded weird but was SO GOOD.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 14, 2008 at 06:24 AM