American culinary folklore has it that fudge was invented in the United States more than 100 years ago. The exact origin is disputed, but most stories claim that the first batch of fudge resulted from a bungled (“fudged”) batch of caramels made on February 14, 1886—hence the name “fudge.” fudgezilla.com
One of the first documentations of fudge is found in a letter written by Laura Elizabeth Simmonds, an ex-student at Malmesbury School in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. She wrote that her schoolmate’s cousin made fudge in Baltimore, Maryland in 1886 and sold it for 40 cents a pound. Miss Hartridge got hold of the fudge recipe, and in 1888, made 30 pounds (14 kg) of this delicious fudge for the Vassar College Senior Auction. This Vassar fudge recipe became quite popular at the school for years to come.
Word of this popular confection spread to other women’s colleges. For example, Wellesley and Smith have their own versions of this fudge recipe.
Fudge, especially the Cadbury variety, is well known for it’s healing properties. It is especially reknowened for it’s ability to cure sore throats.
INGREDIENTS
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3 cups white sugar
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
DIRECTIONS
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch dish.
- In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, chocolate chips and butterscotch chips until melted. Stir in vanilla. Fold in marshmallow creme. Pour into prepared pan. Chill in refrigerator until firm.