Fudge-maker

“It’s the Christman fudge!” Anonymous

At holiday time, the Chaplain became the Fudge Maker. Like Santa Claus, he and Jean made a list and checked it twice. Unlike Santa, though, everyone got the one gift — fudge — whether naughty or nice. And everyone loved it.

Lynn Parker: I’m remembering a gentle chiding from “Brother Ed,” on his delivering his annual Christmas fudge – “Sister, leave AT LEAST ONE PIECE to take home for Hugh!”

Ed and Jean worked together on the fudge.  He did the mixing and stirring, and she did the cutting and packaging.  She did the driving, he did the drop-offs. During the month of December, they delivered fudge to dozens of friends, neighbors, and colleagues. It was quite delicious and inspired a lot of attention. On one rare occasion, in an office on the quad which shall remain nameless, fudge was even stolen.

The Original Recipe

This is the original Fantasy Fudge recipe from the Kraft marshmallow cream jar, slightly modified. Now that Ed and Jean have retired from fudge making, try this at home, and remember to add the love.

3 cups Sugar
3/4 cup Butter (or margarine)
2/3 cup Evaporated Milk
1 12-oz. (340 g) package Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
1 7-oz. (198 g) jar Marshmallow Creme
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2-1/2 quart saucepan; bring to full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring with a special large, long spoon, adding love with every stroke.  Remove from the heat and stir in chocolate till melted.  Add marshmallow creme & vanilla. Beat till blended. Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Let cool and cut precisely into 1/2-inch squares.

Place the squares onto plates or into special, tiny boxes lined with aluminum foil.   Give to loved ones.   Notice how the special small boxes will be carefully returned by the loved ones hoping to be on the fudge list for the next year.

Joyelle Shehee Callahan: “I would always look forward to our small box at Christmas, opening it up to see the foil wrap, and inside the foil, tiny perfect squares of rich, delicious fudge. Yum!”