Old Timey Fudge Food

OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch square pan with foil or wax or parchment paper and grease the inside with softened butter.
• Combine the chocolate chips, condensed milk and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir the vanilla and the nuts, if using, into the chocolate mixture. Pour it into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Let the fudge sit in a very cool dry place until the fudge has set, or if your room is warm, chill but only after it comes to room temperature, about 1 hour more.
• Cut into 1-inch squares and serve. Store in an airtight container for up to a week, or in the fridge if it's not all that cool in your kitchen. Let come to room temp just before serving. Makes 64 pieces.

OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line 8 or 9 inch square pan with foil.
• Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in a heavy 4-quart saucepan.
• Stir in whole milk.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a full rolling boil.
• Boil without stirring until mixture reaches 234 degrees on a candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a soft ball.
• Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Do Not Stir. Cool at room temperature to 110 degrees.
• Stir in pecans.
• Beat with a wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to loose some of its gloss.
• Quickly spread into prepared pan.
• Cool completely.
• Cut into square.
• Store in a 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.

OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE FROSTING

Steps:

• In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa, and salt, and stir or whisk to mix everything well.
• Add the butter and place over medium heat, stirring to melt the butter and mix everything together into a smooth, brown sauce.
• Add the milk, stir well, and bring the frosting to a boil, stirring often and adjust the heat to maintain an active but gentle boil, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
• When the frosting begins to thicken, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla and set it aside to cool for about 20 minutes.
• Beat the frosting just until it thickens and looks shiny, and then spread it over the cake or the layers you want to ice.