And on the 10th Day of Christmas Cookies I made my Dad’s favorite.  We weren’t a big “fudge” family, but I do recall his love for Penuche!  As a young girl I didn’t understand why he liked it so much, since there was no chocolate in it. I guess I just figured it was a “grown up” dessert, like his love of Mincemeat Pie.   I might not have understood or like Penuche back then but that story has changed for sure! 

Penuche Fudge

Penuche Fudge has butterscotch and maple overtones, due to its caramelized brown sugar.  You can leave the walnuts out if you prefer, but they really do add a great texture.

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 c. firmly packed light brown sugar (2 lb.)
• 1 c. evaporated milk, undiluted
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 c. chopped walnuts

  

  Seriously melts in your mouth!

   Method

In a large saucepan, mix sugar, milk, butter and salt. Cook over medium high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Allow it to cook until 238 degrees registers on candy thermometer*. Remove from heat and let stand until lukewarm, 110 degrees. Add vanilla and walnuts. Beat until mixture is thick and loses its gloss. Pour into buttered 9 inch square pan. When firm, cut into squares.

*If you don’t have a high temperature thermometer another trick is to determine when the candy has reached the right temperature is to take a small amount of mixture and drop it into cold water.  If it forms a soft ball you are in ready to remove from heat.

Makes about 3 pounds

No chocolate, but it's still got dessert "cred"!

Fudge is pretty easy to make- it’s all about cooking the candy to the right temperature.  After that it’s simple!!