Christmas Candy Recipe: Fudge in 15 Minutes

I love fudge, and most people do but the prices to buy fudge are just simple outrageous. So one year I attempted to make fudge and after 5 hours in the kitchen killing myself only to taste fudge that must of burned, I decided the price of fudge was reasonable. After all they learned how to do so they deserve to earn a living from it.

Well my thinking all changed when I got married. My husband was a manager and wanted to give little treats to all of his employees and of course he decided on fudge. Well to buy this fudge was going to cost me well over $100 so I decided, I had a few more years cooking experience, some more kitchen gadgets and more importantly a mother-in-law and was an excellent desert cook. So I called her up and begged for her help; so she bestowed her wisdom upon me.

She really wasn't the slaving away type of cook I thought, in fact, she spends hardly anytime in the kitchen at all, she is just armed with some really good and really simple recipes that give the illusion that she is amazing. She then began to share these weapons of disguise or as most will call them, recipes.

Now I am going to give all of you overworked woman out there this fudge recipe so you can give wonderful little treats to people without having to slave in the kitchen.

Simple Chocolate Fudge

18 oz of chocolate chips (or a bag and a half)

1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp of vanilla

Dash of salt

Line a 13x9 cake pan with foil, do not use wax paper since it will melt and get wax on your fudge.

In a medium pan melt the chocolate and milk over medium heat. Then remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla. Then pour in foil-lined pan and refrigerate for 2+ hours until firm. Pull out of pan by lifting the foil and place on cutting board. Cut into bite size pieces, keep in a bag or container and best if kept refrigerated.

If you would like to mix this recipe up a little you can. Her are some great suggestions. For a flavored fudge change the vanilla to mint, orange, lemon, or other extract. You can also add something like nuts or coconut when you add the salt and extract. You can also top the fudge with a layer of peanut butter, powdered sugar, or sprinkles. Try mixing and matching when giving these out this year, you'll be surprised with all the compliments you get.