Santa's Favorite Million Dollar Fudge

Because of the exquisite flavor of this fudge, and the fact that it was rather expensive to make, my mother would only make it at Christmastime. She would then try hiding it, because my brothers and I would always have to sneak a piece. We always managed to find it though. After a few years it almost became a game; whether she and my dad were better at hiding, or if my brothers and I were better at finding. Looking back on this time; I tend to think that, though they made it a challenge, we were supposed to find it. It was after all, Christmastime.

Using butter or margarine, grease an 8x8x2 pan.

In a large bowl:

2 small packages of chocolate chips (I always use milk chocolate)

12 small Hershey bars - broken up into pieces

½ pound of margarine (two cubes)

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup caramel squares - cut into pieces

10 ounce jar of marshmallow crème

Let this mixture sit while you are preparing the syrup.

In a large kettle:

4 ½ cups sugar

1 large can evaporated milk

Cook at a rolling boil for exactly 13 minutes. Take off the heat, and very carefully pour this hot mixture over prepared ingredients in large bowl. Beat this mixture by hand until it is nice and creamy. Pour into prepared pan.

* If you prefer your fudge to be smooth and creamy, you can omit the pecans and caramel squares from the recipe.

You will find that this fudge is an absolute delight for the palette.