Aunt Helens Opera Fudge Food

AUNT HELEN'S OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE WITH PEANUT BUTTER

Steps:

• Butter 1 8x8 inch square glass pan and set aside.
• melt chocolate in milk using sturdy, heavy bottomed pan.
• Stir in salt and sugar with wooden spoon until just mixed.
• Cook the chocolate, milk, salt and sugar mixture on medium or a little less than medium heat until it reaches softball stage. DO NOT STIR and DO NOT SCRAPE THE SIDES OF THE PAN.
• Softball stage: You can use a candy thermometer. I find the thermometers unreliable, so I check the progress of the fudge by dropping a small amount in cold water. If I can easily make a soft ball of it with my fingers, it is ready. With one batch of fudge, this generally takes about 8 minutes or a little longer. Obviously if you double the batch it takes more time. However, don't just assume 8 minutes will work. Either use the softball test or a candy thermometer to make sure. What works on my stove may be different for yours.
• When fudge has reached softball stage, place in a sink partially filled with ice and water. Make sure there's not so much that it could seep into the pan. This is just to cool the pan.
• Stir in peanut butter and vanilla with a wooden spoon. Do not scrape the sides of the pan. Stir until the peanut butter is melted and the fudge begins to thicken and lose some of its gloss. Pour into prepared pan. Cool, slice, and enjoy.
• Don't skip the peanut butter. It gives it an amazing layer of flavor and also helps it set faster. I have only tried this with Jif so I can't guarantee any other peanut butter will be as good.

OPERA FUDGE

Steps:

• Combine sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan.
• Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes;
• Remove from the heat and stir in butter; cool to room temperature without stirring.
• Add almond extract and beat until thickened and fudge begins to lose its gloss.
• Pour into a buttered 8-inch pan.
• Cool before cutting into squares.

AUNT HELEN'S PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

Steps:

• 1. Butter (or spray) an 8 x 8" pan, set aside
• 2. Add sugar and evaporated milk in a 2-quart pan
• 3. Boil to a soft ball stage (5 minutes)
• 4. Remove from flame and add the vanilla extract and peanut butter and stir well
• 5. Add the marshmallow cream and stir until well blended, then piur into you prepared pan
• 6. Let cool until set, then cut into pieces... 6 rows by 6 rows

OPERA FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter sides of a heavy 2 quart saucepan.
• In it combine sugar milk cream corn syrup and salt.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to boiling.
• Cook to soft ball stage (236°F).
• Immediately remove from heat.
• Cook to lukewarm (110°F) without stirring.
• Add butter and vanilla.
• Beat vigorously until mixture becomes very thick and starts to lose its gloss.
• Quickly stir in cherries and pour into buttered shallow pan. Mark while warm; cut when firm.

AUNT TEEN'S CREAMY CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8x8 inch pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt. Bring to a full boil, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and pour in semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours, or until firm.

AUNT HELEN'S EGGNOG

Steps:

• Beat together eggs, condensed milk and vanilla.
• Slowly beat in milk.
• Gently fold in whipped cream.
• If you are adding alcohol, rum, brandy or bourbon are the traditional choices.
• Sprinkle nutmeg on top to taste.