WWI Era Maple Fudge Recipe 1905, 1916 (2024)

FAQs

How was fudge originally made? ›

One popular story traces the history of fudge back to the late 19th century in the United States. According to this tale, a batch of caramels was accidentally overcooked, resulting in a grainy texture. However, the candy still tasted delicious, and thus fudge was born.

Bring maple syrup, heavy cream, and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue to boil, without stirring, until mixture starts to bubble and registers 240 degrees F (166 degrees C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Add butter and salt but do not mix.

The English fudge is more firm and crumbs whereas the American type is softer. Brown sugar fudge, which is known as Penuche, is the English favorite and uses brown sugar instead of confectioner’s sugar.

Culinary legend has it that fudge was invented in America. On Valentine's Day, 1886, a confectioner and chocolate maker in Baltimore, Maryland "fudged" a batch of French caramels. The delicious result? The very first batch of "fudge" ever.

The first known recipe for fudge dates from the 1880s and contained just sugar, cream, chocolate and butter, and many modern recipes contain little else.

That appetite for fudge dates back more than a century. Food historian Joyce White says fudge is based on a recipe for chocolate caramels, which was very similar. "What probably happened is that there was someone in Baltimore, messed it up, or 'fadged' it," she said. "Fadge is a word that means you messed up.

Grainy Fudge

The sugars probably crystallized, a common mistake when making candy like fudge or caramel. If the melting sugar splashes onto the sides of the pan, it turns back into crystals and causes the fudge to seize up. To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon.

But how long does fudge last? Depending on the storage method, you can keep fudge fresh for one week to several months. It's all about packaging fudge properly to keep any air from drying it out and avoiding changes in temperature. Those factors can change the flavor and texture of fudge.

It's rich in taste and fabulously flavorsome, almost melting off the tongue. Now imagine that same taste but with the added flavor of pure Maple syrup, what a smooth golden luxury. This would make the perfect gift for anyone or just as a delicious treat to accompany a meal.

Fudge on Mackinac Island Today

Sampling Mackinac Island fudge remains one of the favorite activities of visitors, with chocolate being the most popular (although when President Gerald R. Ford came to Mackinac Island in 1975 he opted for vanilla pecan.)

Where is the best fudge made in United States? ›

While fudge was not invented on Mackinac Island, it most certainly – and most deliciously – was perfected here.

When fudge is a verb, it means to avoid straightforwardly answering a question or addressing a subject: "Just answer my question and don't fudge the issue!" Fudge is an American word from college slang meaning "a made-up story."

fudge in American English

a soft candy made of butter, milk, sugar, and chocolate or other flavoring, etc.

Some people will try to tell you that tablet is a form of fudge. However, proper tablet aficionados (and we have been doing a lot of sampling) will tell you that there is a clear difference in texture between tablet and fudge. Fudge tends to be softer, while tablet has a grainier and more brittle texture.

The Fudge Shoppe is committed to bringing premium and quality chocolates and candy to our valued customers and community. We have a variety of chocolate or truffle assortments, fresh chocolate covered fruit, and handmade fudge.

Fudge is a drier version of fondant,* made by boiling sugar in milk to the soft-ball stage and then beating the mixture while it cools so that it acquires a smooth, creamy texture. Fudge is an American invention: Some food historians peg the date to February 14, 1886, but the exact origin and inventor are disputed.

By most accounts, the first batch of fudge was concocted in Baltimore in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, fudge-making arrived on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan, which today has a legitimate claim as the modern day fudge capital.

The first written record of fudge's existence was at a bake sale at Vassar College in 1886. One year later, in 1887, Sara Murdick and her family arrived at Mackinac Island and would soon kickstart Mackinac's fudge empire. The men of the Murdick family worked on canvas awnings at the then-new Grand Hotel.

In the spring of 1995, Fudge was summoned to Hogwarts after Barty Crouch was seen going mad and then disappeared.