Memaws Butter Fudge Food

BUTTER FUDGE

Steps:

• SUPPLIES & UTENSILS:.
• 8x8 pan.
• aluminum foil.
• measuring cups & spoons.
• medium to large saucepan.
• candy thermometer.
• electric mixer with paddle attachment, hand-held mixer or wooden spoon.
• scraper.
• airtight container.
• COOKING DIRECTIONS:.
• I pre-measure out all my ingredients first, so I don't have to fumble around (I'm prone to spilling things!) during the assembly & cooking phases.
• Line the pan with aluminum foil.
• Melt butter over medium to high heat, stirring occasionally so it doesn't scorch on the bottom.
• The butter, when cooked correctly, should smell toasty and have a golden brown, nutty color.
• Add sugar, milk & corn syrup to the butter.
• Stir until sugar is dissolved.
• Using the candy thermometer, cook to 235 degrees (soft ball).
• Cool to room temperature, about 45 minutes.
• Scrape the candy into the electric mixer & beat the candy until it becomes thick, creamy & isn't shiny. If you mix by hand or hand-held mixer, be prepared for it to take longer. WARNING: If you over-beat it, the texture becomes grainy.
• Add the vanilla.
• Add the nuts (if using).
• Scrape the fudge into the lined pan & smooth the top evenly.
• Let the fudge set firm, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
• When the fudge is set, cut it into small 1 inch squares.
• Store the fudge in airtight container at room temperature for a week or in the refrigerator for up to a month.

MAFE (PEANUT BUTTER STEW)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan, add the onion, and cook over medium heat until it is translucent. Add the meat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it is lightly browned on all sides.
• In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter with the cold water and pour it over the meat. Dilute the tomato paste with the hot water, pour the liquid over the stew, and stir well to make sure all the ingredients are well mixed. Add the remaining ingredients, lower the heat, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Serve hot over white rice.

MOTHER'S FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter an 8 x 8-inch pan. Combine sugar, butter, milk, salt, and chocolate in medium saucepan. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until all ingredients melt and come to a boil. Do not scrape down the sides of the pan. Lower heat, insert candy thermometer, and let boil slowly without stirring for about 10 minutes or until soft ball forms when dropped in a cup of cold water (238 degrees F on a candy thermometer). Remove pan from heat and cool. Add vanilla. Beat steadily until fudge loses its gloss. Add nuts. Pour into pan. Cool for 20 minutes and cut into squares. Store in airtight container or wrap in tinfoil.

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE I

Steps:

• Butter one 9x9 inch pan and set aside.
• In a 3 quart saucepan, combine white sugar, brown sugar, milk, and butter. Cook to soft ball stage, 234 degrees F (112 degrees C). Remove from heat.
• Stir in peanut butter, vanilla and marshmallows; continue stirring until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared pan and cool. Cut into squares and serve.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325* (F).
• Spread solid shortening on bottom and sides of two 9-inch layer pans, or one 9x13x1 1/2 inch sheet pan.
• Dust evenly with unsweetened cocoa or flour; tap out excess.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
• Set aside.
• Melt chocolate in top pan of double boiler.
• Remove chocolate from heat after completely melted, and set aside to cool until comfortable to touch.
• In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• Add vanilla and cooled chocolate.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan (s).
• Bake in lower third of oven for 40-50 minutes for sheet cake, or 35-45 minutes for layer pans, or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Leave cake in layer pans for 10 minutes; remove to wire rack and cool completely.
• Cool sheet cake completely in pan.
• Split cake layers with serrated knife-- fill and frost the layers with chocolate buttercream icing or flavored whipped cream.

BUTTER FUDGE

Steps:

• Mix sugar, water, butter and condensed milk together in a somewhat tall pot (the mixture rises quickly) and bring to a gentle boil. While the fudge is boiling, stir continously with a wooden spoon for about half an hour, to ensure no sugar burns to the bottom of the pot.
• Nearing the half-hour mark, the fudge should then have become greatly reduced in quantity, thick, sticky, and most importantly, should have the typical darker "brown" colour of fudge (but dark muddy brown means it's turned into toffee). It's better to leave it on longer if unsure, than to take it off the boil prematurely.
• Once it looks ready, take off the boil, add the Vanilla Essence, and beat thoroughly for a minute, then pour mixture into a greased baking tray and allow to cool.
• for at least 6 hours.
• Cut into squares once cooled properly (could take up to 6 hours). The result should be a fudge that is solid, but crumbly around the edges when you cut it (as opposed to the soft and chewy Nougat variety). It should also have a grainy texture. It may take a few attempts to perfect this recipe in a way you enjoy it the most; also note that if your mixture turns into toffee or fails completely, it's best to try again another day with new ingredients as failures often happen for no discernable reason.