Maple Bourbon Fudge Food

MAPLE BOURBON FUDGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet; place in the oven and bake until they start to smell toasty, about 10 minutes. Keep a close eye (or nose) on them. Pour the nuts onto a clean kitchen towel and use the towel to rub off the skins.
• Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and grease with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Spread the walnuts evenly over the bottom. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Place the 2 tablespoons butter, the sugar, milk, half-and-half, corn syrup, maple syrup, salt, and bourbon in a heavy-bottomed 4- to 6-quart saucepan with a candy thermometer attached and set over medium heat. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until it comes to a boil, controlling the heat as necessary to prevent it from boiling over, then allow it to cook without stirring, which can cause crystallization, until it reaches 238 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Quickly immerse the bottom of the pot in the ice water and let it sit for 5 seconds. Place the pot on the counter and allow the fudge to cool, undisturbed, until the temperature on the thermometer drops to 115 degrees F, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the fudge until it starts to lose its gloss and thickens, about 20 minutes. Quickly spoon the fudge into the prepared pan, spreading it as best you can with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Do not scrape down any of the fudge that clings to the saucepan -- this will help prevent unwanted crystallization in the fudge. Allow the fudge to sit at room temperature to cool and set, at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
• When ready to serve, invert the fudge onto a cutting board and cut into 1 1/2-inch squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

CHRISTMAS MAPLE FUDGE

Steps:

• In a large glass bowl, stir together the white sugar, brown sugar, cream and maple extract. Place in the microwave, and cook for 11 minutes on full power, or until a candy thermometer registers 234 - 240 degrees F (112 - 115 degrees C). Do not microwave the thermometer.
• While the fudge is cooking, fill the sink with 2 to 3 inches of cold water, and add a few ice cubes if you like. When the fudge has cooked, place the bowl into the cold water, being careful not to get any water into the mix. Stir in the butter, and continue stirring until the mixture is thick enough to wrap around the spoon. Pour into a buttered 8 inch square dish, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cut into small squares, and store in the refrigerator.

KENTUCKY BOURBON FUDGE

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, mix sugar and cocoa until blended.
• Add milk and stir until blended.
• Add heat and slowly bring mixture to a boil. Allow mixture to boil up and dissolve sugar crystals on the sides of the pan.
• Boil until candy reaches the soft ball stage (230-240 degrees), stirring constantly.
• To test for "soft ball stage" drop a little of the candy mixture in clean, ice cold water. If you can roll it around with your finger and it holds together, it's ready.
• Remove from heat, and stir in bourbon.
• "Beat" mixture with a spoon, stirring briskly until the candy starts to crust around the sides of the saucepan and the mixture thickens considerably.
• Pour into a buttered 9x13 glass dish. Allow to cool slightly and cut into squares.
• Press a whole pecan into the top of each square.
• Enjoy!

MAPLE FUDGE

Steps:

• Put maple syrup and milk in heavy saucepan.
• Boil to the soft ball stage, or about 235 degrees on the candy thermometer.
• Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
• Beat until mixture is creamy.
• Add nuts.
• Pour mixture into 8 inch buttered square pan and spread out evenly.
• Let cool until firm.
• Cut into pieces.
• Store in airtight container in a cool place.

MARVELOUS MAPLE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8-in. square pan with foil; grease foil with 1 teaspoon butter., Cube remaining butter. In a large saucepan, combine cubed butter, brown sugar and milk. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat., Stir in maple flavoring, vanilla and salt. Add confectioners' sugar; beat on medium speed 2 minutes or until smooth. Immediately spread into prepared pan. Cool completely., Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Remove foil; cut into 1-in. squares. Store in an airtight container.

MAPLE FUDGE WITH MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with waxed paper. Butter the paper.
• 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. Let sit until mixture reaches 105 degrees F (41 degrees C).
• Add walnuts and vanilla; beat until mixture loses its gloss. Pour into the prepared pan and let cool to room temperature. Cut, wrap, and store in the refrigerator.