Daddy was the candy maker in our family. When it came to making fudge, he used the same recipe every Christmas. I know I have it somewhere but was not able to lay my hands on it this year. Momma’s first cousin’s wife also made fudge every holiday and we were lucky to be the recipient of her generosity, too. Her name was Isabel and her pieces, as I recall, were cut perfectly. Daddy’s were a little more irregular as he poured them into a platter that Momma usually reserved for roasts on Sunday.

I have made several batches this month for friends and family. Although the ingredients are the same, there are so many factors that can affect whether it is too hard, too soft, or just right. I have heard the weather can affect it but I am not so sure about that. A thermometer is a must getting it to that softball stage. I actually bought one of those new-fangled digitals and don’t you know, when I went to make fudge tonite I couldn’t find it. The story of my life.

As I was stirring and starring into the pot, I had so many thoughts of my past Christmases. Daddy was a jokester. There would be presents for us under the tree and we would shake our boxes and try to guess what was in them even though it was usually something practical. On Christmas Eve, we were allowed one gift to open. I must have been about 9 or 10 years old. I knew exactly which one I wanted. I had been shaking it for a few days and even tried to remove that tape on the end. It did not feel like clothes so that was a go for me. I could hear something that just might be a toy.

Well, it came. Christmas Eve night! We each ran and got our selected gift. I tore into mine and when I opened it, I just fell out. I was crying and laughing and crying more. Daddy had wrapped up a dried cow pattie or dung, if you want to call it. He really got me this time. My sisters loved it, seeing that the joke was on me. Daddy hugged me and said I was a great sport. He probably let me open another gift. It is funny that I don’t even remember that. I remembered laughter, our small Christmas tree, and my family all together. Those were the best days. After that, when I would take walks back in the pasture and see a cow pattie, I would laugh and remember that Christmas Eve.

Yield: 30 PIECES

OLD TIME CHOCOLATE FUDGE

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Nutty chocolate confection

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa
• 1 tsp Karo corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Butter the sides of a heavy saucepan.
2. In this pan, combine sugar and sift in the cocoa.
3. Add milk and syrup.
4. Cook and continue to stir over medium-high heat until you reach a softball stage. (about 234 degrees).
5. Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. Do not stir.
6. Cool for about 30 minutes.
7. Add nuts. Beat vigorously with a heavy spoon and pour into a buttered, casserole dish.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 161Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 21mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 0gSugar: 29gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information can vary for a recipe based on factors such as precision of measurements, brands, ingredient freshness, or the source of nutrition data.