OLD TIMEY RECIPES RECIPES

Steps:

• Set up a work area for tempering the fudge. I run about 3 inches of cold water in the sink and lay out a dish towel next to it. The water will be to quick cool the chocolate and then you set the pot on the towel and stir. ( the towel also keeps you from dripping water when you pour the chocolate.)
• Coat a 8x12 pan (9x13 will be ok, too.) with butter and set next to towel.
• Cut remaining butter and set aside.
• In a 6 quart pot add sugar, cocoa powder and salt. DO NOT TURN ON THE HEAT YET !
• Using the flat side of a spatula mix well. You do not want clumps.
• Add both milks and stir til well mixed and there are no lumps. Turn heat on to medium high and bring to boil. Notice how it looks like there is not much in pot. Stir CONSTANTLY.
• As the mixture heats up it will bubble up.
• When it reaches a certain tempature it will start to go back down. It will start to really shine.
• Every now and then do a water test. To do this, fill a glass with cold water and drop some fudge mixture into it.
• When it reaches the softball stage remove from heat. Softball stage is when you can roll the drop into a soft ball.
• Add vanilla extract and stir..it will bubble up some as it burns off the alcohol. Add butter and stir.
• Now dip pot into water in sink for 4-5 seconds then place on towel and stir. Repeat several times.
• Mixture will begin to thicken. Add nuts and stir.
• Mixture will start to look a little dull..Hurry and pour into buttered pan. Sprinkle a little nuts on top if you want.
• Let set up for 20 minutes then cut with a smooth bladed knife
• Let cool completely before putting in a bag or tin. Otherwise it will sweat and not look so pretty... Enjoy !

Steps:

• Combine 3 cups sugar and milk in a heavy sauce pan on medium heat. Stir together for a few minutes. Allow to continue to heat.
• While milk and sugar are heating, place a small black iron skillet on med. to med. high heat. Add the 5 tablespoons on sugar. Stir in the skillet until the sugar liquifies and then turns golden brown. It will be bubbling hot.
• Now the milk and sugar should be very hot. Carefully pour in the browned sugar from the skillet. Whisk together and cook for about 15 minutes or until the mixture reached the very soft ball stage. (test by dropping a little off a spoon into a small glass of cool water. When a small soft ball forms, it's ready.)
• Remove from heat and using an electric mixer, mix in 1 and 1/2 sticks cold butter...never margarine! Continue to beat until cooled to spreading consistency.
• If too thick, you can thin by beating in milk a tablespoon at a time. Make sure your cake in completely cooled or this heavy icing may cause the top to split. It'll still taste super though!