Cocoa Fudge 1965 Food

OLD FASHIONED CREAMY COCOA FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8"x8" pan** (See Notes) with parchment or non-stick foil with a piece that is long enough to line the bottom and come up and over two opposite sides of the pan. (use these as "handles" to get the cooled fudge out of the pan). Spray with pan spray. You can also spray or butter the pan well, but using parchment or non-stick foil will make it easier to get the fudge out of the pan.
• Place the sugar, cocoa powder, corn syrup, salt and milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan that is much larger than you think you need. 3 quart size will work just fine.
• Stir well, and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. You can stir it and scrape the sides of the pan until it starts to boil.
• Allow the mixture to boil until it reaches 234F. This is just under the soft ball stage, but this is the correct temperature for making cocoa fudge. (If you're making chocolate fudge, cook to 238F, which is the soft ball stage.)
• Move the pan off the burner and drop in the butter and the vanilla. Don't stir them in (if you stir too soon, you'll end up with grainy fudge).
• Let the mixture cool to 110F. The pan will feel warm but by no means hot. If you're using a "leave-in" candy thermometer, there will be no question. If you don't have one, occasionally check the temperature with your instant read thermometer (that's what I do).
• Once the candy has cooled to the correct temperature, begin stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon. You can also scoop up a bunch of the warm candy and let it pour back into the pot. This will make you feel fancy, and it will help to bring the temperature of the candy down more quickly. Keep stirring and stirring until the candy is just starting to lose its gloss and thicken up.
• Dump in the pecans if using, and stir them in quickly.
• Scrape the now-quite-thick fudge into the pan and moosh it into the corners with a spatula. I sprinkled some flaky sea salt on top of mine. You can too if you want. Or not.
• Allow the candy to set up for at least an hour before slicing with a sharp knife.
• Store at room temperature in a tightly-sealed container for 3-4 days. But it will be gone before then.

VINTAGE HERSHEY'S RICH COCOA FUDGE RECIPE FROM THE '70S & '80S

Steps:

• Line 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter foil.
• Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in heavy 4-quart saucepan; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil.
• Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 234°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water, forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water. (Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of saucepan.)
• Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. Do not stir. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss. Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool completely.
• Cut into squares. Store in tightly-covered container at room temperature.

OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan. Set aside.
• Combine sugar, cocoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Stir to blend, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer. Do not stir again.
• Place candy thermometer in pan and cook until temperature reaches 238 degrees F(114 degrees C). If you are not using a thermometer, then cook until a drop of this mixture in a cup of cold water forms a soft ball. Feel the ball with your fingers to make sure it is the right consistency. It should flatten when pressed between your fingers.
• Remove from heat. Add butter or margarine and vanilla extract. Beat with a wooden spoon until the fudge loses its sheen. Do not under beat.
• Pour into prepared pan and let cool. Cut into about 60 squares.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• 1. 1. Line an 8 or 9 inch square pan with foil; butter the foil.
• 2. 2.In a large heavy sauce pan stir in the sugar, cocoa powder and 1/8 tsp of salt. Mix well. Gently stir in milk with a big wooden spoon (make sure to use wooden spoon).
• 3. 3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a full rolling boil.
• 4. 4.Boil with out stirring, to 234 degrees F. on Candy thermometer (or until a tad of Syrup, when dropped in a glass of very cold water forms a very soft ball which flattens when removed from water.) The bulb of Candy thermometer should NOT rest on bottom of pan. This process should take 20 - 30 minutes. Keep rechecking until a soft ball forms in the cold water.
• 5. 5.Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla, DO NOT STIR.
• 6. 6. Cool at room temperature,to 110 degrees or lukewarm, this could take 2 hours or more. (Sweet ANTICIPATION) Do Not Stir !!
• 7. 7.Beat fudge with a wooden spoon or until it thickens and looses some of it's gloss. It can take 15 - 20 minutes. This is why Jeanette waited for me to visit before cooking Fudge..a tag partner to beat the fudge. It looks more like frosting instead of a thick syrup when it's ready.
• 8. 8. Quickly spread onto prepared pan; cool.
• 9. 9. Cut into squares. Can use a warm knife that has been dipped in hot water and dried off to cut easier.
• 10. 10. Wrap loosely in foil and place in refrigerator. Except the "one for you and one for me" pieces we headed to bed with.

EASY COCOA FUDGE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan heat together butter and water just until boiling, stirring to melt butter.
• Sift together powdered sugar, dry milk powder, coco powder and salt into a large bowl.
• Add melted butter mixture.
• Stir until well blended.
• Stir in chopped nuts.
• Turn into a buttered 8x8x2 inch pan.
• Chill several hours.
• Cut into squares.

COCOA FUDGE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour baking pan.
• 13x9x2 or 2 round layer pans, 8 or 9x1 1/2 inches.
• Measure all ingredients into mixing bowl.
• Blend 1/2 minute on low speed blending constantly.
• Beat 3 minutes on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Pour into pan(s).
• Bake oblong 35 to 40 minutes, layers 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Can frost with your favorite frosting if desired.

OLD-FASHIONED COCOA FUDGE FROSTING

Steps:

• Blend the butter with the cocoa powder in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the corn syrup and mix until very thick and smooth. Scrape down the bowl.
• Bring the water to a boil in a small pot, or heat in the microwave until boiling in a heatproof bowl. With the mixer running on low, gradually add the hot water into the butter mixture. Add the vanilla and salt, and scrape down the bowl.
• Add the powdered sugar a little at a time to the bowl and beat for 2 minutes on high speed, until the icing is completely smooth, glossy, and thick.
• Decorate as you wish!

MADE-IN-MINUTES NO-COOK FUDGE

Steps:

• Lightly grease 8x8 inch baking dish.
• Pour the coconut oil into a bowl, and sift in the cocoa, stirring to blend evenly. Stir in the honey, and mix until smooth. Spread mixture into prepared dish, and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Cut into 1 inch squares.