WWI Era Maple Fudge Recipe 1905, 1916 (2024)

FAQs

How was fudge originally made? ›

One popular story traces the history of fudge back to the late 19th century in the United States. According to this tale, a batch of caramels was accidentally overcooked, resulting in a grainy texture. However, the candy still tasted delicious, and thus fudge was born.

Bring maple syrup, heavy cream, and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue to boil, without stirring, until mixture starts to bubble and registers 240 degrees F (166 degrees C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Add butter and salt but do not mix.

The difference between the American chocolate fudge and the English fudge is in the texture. The English fudge is more firm and crumbs whereas the American type is softer. Brown sugar fudge, which is known as Penuche, is the English favorite and uses brown sugar instead of confectioner’s sugar.

Culinary legend has it that fudge was invented in America. On Valentine's Day, 1886, a confectioner and chocolate maker in Baltimore, Maryland "fudged" a batch of French caramels. The delicious result? The very first batch of "fudge" ever.

Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft. A temperature of 112°C to 114°C (234°F to 237°F) must be maintained. This will ensure the fudge has the ideal concentration of water and sugar. Fudge is difficult to make.

The first recorded mention of fudge came from 1888. That year, a student at Vassar College named Emelyn Battersby Hartridge wrote a letter about the candy. She claimed to have received a recipe from a friend's cousin. That same year, Hartridge made a large batch of fudge to sell at a school fundraiser.

Grainy Fudge

The sugars probably crystallized, a common mistake when making candy like fudge or caramel. If the melting sugar splashes onto the sides of the pan, it turns back into crystals and causes the fudge to seize up. To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon.

Depending on the storage method, you can keep fudge fresh for one week to several months. It's all about packaging fudge properly to keep any air from drying it out and avoiding changes in temperature. Those factors can change the flavor and texture of fudge.

A true staple in Québec, Maple Fudge (aka sucre à la crème) is a smooth, creamy and sinfully decadent maple treat that tastes like pure heaven.

Fudge on Mackinac Island Today

Sampling Mackinac Island fudge remains one of the favorite activities of visitors, with chocolate being the most popular (although when President Gerald R. Ford came to Mackinac Island in 1975 he opted for vanilla pecan.)

What is fudge called in Scotland? ›

Scottish tablet and fudge are made in a similar way. That is by melting sugars and using elbow grease to reach a thickening point. But it is the liquid in the tablet recipe that makes all the difference. Traditionally fudge is made with double or clotted cream, while tablet is made with condensed milk.

Golden syrup – is what makes this recipe Russian fudge-style! The added golden syrup gives that extra sweetness and silky texture. Vanilla extract – to give the taste of vanilla to the fudge.

When fudge is a verb, it means to avoid straightforwardly answering a question or addressing a subject: "Just answer my question and don't fudge the issue!" Fudge is an American word from college slang meaning "a made-up story."

fudge in American English

a soft candy made of butter, milk, sugar, and chocolate or other flavoring, etc.

Our fudge recipe was created over 30 years ago and has been known as America's Best Fudge since the early '80s. Our ingredients must be pure and natural. Our fudge will always be made in the small-batch tradition, hand-stirred in copper kettles cooked over an open flame.

Fudge is a drier version of fondant,* made by boiling sugar in milk to the soft-ball stage and then beating the mixture while it cools so that it acquires a smooth, creamy texture. Fudge is an American invention: Some food historians peg the date to February 14, 1886, but the exact origin and inventor are disputed.

By most accounts, the first batch of fudge was concocted in Baltimore in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, fudge-making arrived on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan, which today has a legitimate claim as the modern day fudge capital.

Where did it come from? While the creation of fudge (in the history books) is a bit fuzzy, the first mentions of the sweet confectionery began appearing in journals and diaries towards the end of the 19th Century. And while many would assume that fudge originated in the UK, it is actually a creation from America!!!

The first written record of fudge's existence was at a bake sale at Vassar College in 1886. One year later, in 1887, Sara Murdick and her family arrived at Mackinac Island and would soon kickstart Mackinac's fudge empire. The men of the Murdick family worked on canvas awnings at the then-new Grand Hotel.