Fudge, which supposedly originated in America over 100 years ago, is one of the country's most popular confections. The recipe has gone through many permutations over the years, and now there are multiple variants of this sweet treat.
History
The true origins of fudge are unclear, but according to folklore, fudge was invented by way of a happy accident in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1886. Legend has it that the creator was trying to make caramels, but botched or "fudged" the recipe, thus inventing both the candy and the name "fudge." The first documentations of fudge are from letters written in 1886 by students who were making and selling fudge at the Malmesbury School in Baltimore.
Geography
There are several regions of the United States that are known for fudge, including New England where the confection may have originated. Women's colleges like Wellesley and Vassar have their own recipes for fudge. However, the most famous fudge town in America is Mackinac Island, Michigan, where an annual Fudge Festival is held each summer. The tourists who flock to Mackinac Island for this event are called "fudgies."
Types
There are many types of fudge to be found throughout America and also in England. In America, fudge is understood to mean chocolate fudge, while variants like peanut butter fudge or vanilla fudge are generally referred to by their full names. Some confectioners refer to non-chocolate fudge as "fudge candy" or "fudge-style candy" to separate it from true chocolate fudge. English fudge is a different animal entirely, consisting of only sugar, condensed milk, butter and sometimes nuts. It is quite crumbly in texture and has a caramel flavor, much like that of penuche.
Types
Chocolate fudge can be made in several different ways, which result in drastically different final textures. Slab fudge, which is made by pouring hot liquid fudge onto a marble slab and working it by hand, has a relatively soft texture and is very smooth and creamy. Fudge recipes that contain less fat or corn syrup (or call for the ingredients to be cooked past the soft ball stage) have a much firmer, crumbly texture.
Types
Chocolate fudge is often dressed up with added ingredients like whole marshmallows, nuts and dried fruit to create entirely new fudge flavors. Also, chocolate fudge can be swirled with peanut butter, mint, vanilla, raspberry or even pumpkin fudge, resulting in a different type of dessert that is beautiful and delicious.
Tags: Chocolate fudge, chocolate fudge, crumbly texture, Mackinac Island, over years, peanut butter, Types Chocolate