Fudge

Fabulous Five-Minute Fudge

Ingredients

1 12 ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces (2 cups)

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (one-half of a 14-ounce can)

1 tablespoon water

¾ cup chopped walnuts, toasted if desired

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper; set aside. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate pieces, sweetened condensed milk, and water.

2. Microwave, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 1 minute more, or until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour mixture onto prepared cookie sheet and spread it into a 9x6-inch rectangle, or drop mixture by rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheet.

3. Chill fudge about 30 minutes or until firm. Cut fudge into 1-1/2-inch squares. Makes 24 pieces

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Double-Decker Layered Fudge

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

1 cup evaporated milk

¼ teaspoon salt

1 12 ounce package white baking pieces

1 7 ounce jar marshmallow creme

2 ½ teaspoons vanilla

4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (3/4 cup)

Finely chopped dark chocolate (optional)

Directions

1. Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over edges of pan. Butter foil; set pan aside.

2. Butter the sides of a 3-quart heavy saucepan. In the saucepan combine sugar, evaporated milk, and salt. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium; continue cooking for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Remove saucepan from heat. Add white baking pieces and marshmallow creme. Beat mixture vigorously with a clean wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture starts to thicken. Pour half of the mixture (about 2 cups) into a bowl. For the white chocolate layer, stir 2 teaspoons of the vanilla into mixture in bowl; set aside.

4. For the dark chocolate layer, add the 4 ounces chopped dark chocolate and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla into mixture in saucepan; stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove 1/3 cup of the dark chocolate mixture; set aside. Immediately spread remaining dark chocolate mixture evenly into the prepared pan.

5. Gently spoon the white chocolate mixture over the dark chocolate mixture; spread fudge evenly to edges of pan. Swirl in the reserved dark chocolate mixture. Cool for 15 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with additional finely chopped dark chocolate.

6. Cover; chill for 2 to 3 hours or until firm. When fudge is firm, using the edges of the foil, lift fudge out of pan. Cut fudge into squares.

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Cherry-Almond Fudge

Ingredients

¾ cup sliced almonds

2 ½ cups sifted powdered sugar

2/3 cup milk

¼ cup butter

12 ounces white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, coarsely chopped

¾ cup snipped dried tart red cherries or dried cranberries

½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Canned vanilla frosting (optional)

Red food coloring (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread almonds in a shallow baking pan. Toast in the preheated oven for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring two to three times. Remove from oven; let cool.

2. Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter the foil; set pan aside.

3. Butter the sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan. In the saucepan, combine powdered sugar, milk, and butter. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture boils and sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low. Boil gently, without stirring, for 5 minutes.

4. Reduce heat to low. Add the white chocolate. Stir until white chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat; stir in dried fruit, almonds, and, if desired, almond extract. Immediately spread fudge in prepared pan. Cover and chill 6 hours or until firm.

5. When fudge is firm, use foil to lift it out of pan. Cut fudge into 1-inch squares or triangles. If desired, tint canned frosting with food coloring. Pipe frosting over cut pieces. Makes about 2 pounds (64 pieces