June 16th is National Fudge Day, not to be confused with National Nutty Fudge Day (yes, they both exist). How do you celebrate this holiday? By savoring a piece or five of the gooey, delicious treat. Some fun facts:
• Fudge is a close relative of fondant. Yes, that tasteless but beautifully moldable cake covering is a cousin of delicious fudge.
• Fudge is a "new" confection of sorts, dating back only to the 188's. Many desserts, ice creams for instance, date back 5,000 years, so fudge is relatively young in the confection family.
• Fudge is a happy accident: an attempt to make caramels went awry, leading to its name - fudge!
Terribly tricky to make, many shortcut recipes have sprung up over the years, but none so good as the original. If you are feeling adventurous and want to make homemade fudge to celebrate this national holiday, try Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge or Peanut Butter Fudge. For the best results, make sure you have a candy thermometer (easily found at your local Giant Eagle or Bed Bath and Beyond) and a nice, deep saucepan. For candy and confection novices, there are plenty of great tips to help you succeed.
On the other hand, shortcut fudge is a nice substitute when you lack time and proper equipment. Try
One beautiful thing about living in Pittsburgh, is the availability of tantalizing, professionally made fudge around town.
Fudgie Wudgie is a national company headquartered in the Strip District. You can visit their store on 17th and Penn. The founder, Chris Warman, created his line of chocolates and fudge in 1989 to be all natural and low in sugar. That means fat and calorie free, right? They have a huge selection of flavors and varieties, such as Chocolate Amaretto, Butter Pecan and Creamsicle. If the thought of driving to the Strip District gives you pains, you can always order online as well.
Pittsburgh is also home to the Pittsburgh Fudge & Cookie Co. They ship nationwide as well and have a nice selection of flavors available. It’s a little tougher to find in town, and they have a smaller selection of flavors, but their baskets and specialty items make great gifts.
These days, the Giant Eagle Market District shops also have a decent selection of fudge flavors, depending on the day.
Happy National Fudge Day!
Fudgie Wudgie Butter Pecan Fudge on the Sugar Love Scale:
Taste: ♥♥♥♥
Appearance: ♥♥♥♥
Texture: ♥♥♥♥♥
Overall Sugar Love: 4.5 out of 5 ♥’s
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