Kids Cuisine

Looking for gift ideas for your children’s teachers, neighbors, and grandparents?  There is no better gift that they can give than one they have made.  This holiday season, my daughter will be giving homemade fudge to her teachers – fudge that her little hands have prepared and packaged themselves.  This classic fudge, published by The Eagle Brand Company, is decadently simple and can be prepared either on a stovetop or in the microwave.  With endless variation possibilities, your child can give a fantastic gift this holiday season. 

Festive Fudge
Recipe from Eagle Brand

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk-chocolate chips) — (18-ounces)

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk) — (14-ounces)

1 dash salt

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1 1/2  teaspoons vanilla extract

In heavy saucepan*, over low heat, melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in nuts (optional) and vanilla. Spread evenly into a wax paper lined 8- or 9-inch square pan. 

Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board, peel off paper and cut into squares. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

*Alternately, melt chocolate and condensed milk together for about 2 minutes in the microwave.  Stir, and microwave an additional 30 seconds at a time until completely melted.

Yield: 2 pounds

OTHER GREAT FUDGE FLAVORS:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Glazed Fudge: Proceed as above but stir in 3/4 cup peanut butter chips in place of nuts. Glaze: Melt 1/2 cup peanut butter chips with 1/2 cup whipping cream; stir until thick and smooth. Spread over chilled fudge.

Marshmallow Fudge: Proceed as above but omit nuts and add 2 tablespoons butter to mixture; fold in 2 cups miniature marshmallows.

Cranberry-Orange Fudge: Proceed as above, omitting nuts and vanilla.  Add the zest of 1 orange and ½ cup dried cranberries.

Chocolate-Mint Fudge:  Add ¼ teaspoon mint extract OR substitute 1 ½ cups of mint chocolate chips for half of the semi-sweet chocolate chips