HOLIDAY CANDY
Sickeningly sweet Christmas Candy, Candy Canes, Ribbon Candy and even Christmas Santa Claus Peeps are loading the supermarket and drug store shelves every where you look! I know your kids probably love those big plastic candy canes filled with Hershey Kisses. Who doesn't?
My Own Candy Business?
I used to have a candy business a long, long time ago. Back when I was in my 20's, I made chocolate lollipops and hand-dipped chocolates. Buttercrunch, homemade Peanut Butter Cups and real Peppermint Patties were my specialty. Oh, man! I need to make some of those this year!
I had three little kids at home at the time, and I needed to do something to make a little extra money. I started out slow, then John got involved and became my salesman, and things quickly exploded! I had Buttercrunch, Patties, PB Cups and Fudge all over the house. I'm not kidding! I had stuff in every room of the house except for the bathroom! I bough the chocolate and nuts by the 25 pound case, cartons by the case, cellophane bags and lollipop sticks from a distributor, and had labels made up with my name on them.
I could not keep up with the demand. I had friends take finished candy home with them and paid them to wrap the candy and send it back to me. Finished boxes and cases were piled up waiting to be delivered by John, who then sold MORE! This went on for a few years. I finally got pregnant a 4th time just to get out of it all! Nah, just kidding! I didn't do it on purpose! John did it!
PENUCHE FUDGE RECIPE
One of the most popular things I made was Penuche Fudge with Toasted Pecans. I made it by the 10 pound block, and had 4 pots going at the same time. It was cut and put in very pretty colored boxes and shipped out to happy people!
So, getting back to the beginning of this post...You don't have to buy all that store-bought candy. I know it's so easy to buy. BUT, you can make this fudge for a fraction of the cost, and even though it's sweet, you know what's going into it!
Penuche Fudge is a brown sugar fudge and has to be cooked to the soft-ball stage of 237 degrees on a candy thermometer. It seems a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.
SUITE101
I published the recipe at Suite101 the other day. All you have to do is click on over to Penuche Fudge Recipe and there it is! Scroll down to the bottom of that page and click print for you to keep. And then click email to share it with a friend! OH, heck, while you're at it, just click the recommend article button too! It'll look good for me and you'll love the fudge! I know you will!
MOST POPULAR CHRISTMAS COOKIES & RECIPES
I also published a long list of the Most Popular Christmas Cookies that I've done over the years. The 18 links all go to my recipes on Suite101. Again, email them or print them off for yourself! I'll be doing a major post later on with photos and links of all the cookies, but I figured I'd get you off and baking right now!
Incredible!! Happy Holidays!!
Posted by: Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer | December 18, 2008 at 11:35 PM
that fudge looks SO good! wowww! you are so talented :)
Posted by: Pearl | December 19, 2008 at 02:00 AM
Penuche has always been my favorite fudge. I remember Nanny making penuche frosting too and I loved it! Your fudge looks awesome! I'd buy ! :)
Posted by: HoneyB | December 19, 2008 at 08:47 AM
My hat's off to you Donna! I didn't know you also made candy. I have to try your fudge recipe. It sounds delicious!
You're sure you don't have a box left over you would want to sell?
Posted by: Liliana | December 19, 2008 at 10:07 AM
This is way awesome Stuff!!!! Wonder if you can manipulate the recipe to be able to make chocolate fudge using the same principle as the Penuche! (no brown sugar- more white sugar and cho coating instead of the white coating) Has anyone tried this? Lu
Posted by: Lu Davis | December 22, 2008 at 01:29 PM