You know how every so often, you’ll hear people say, “Hey! It’s national peanut butter day!” and you’re all, “Yeah, you totally made that up.”? {If you have no idea what I’m talking about, just smile and nod politely so I don’t feel like an idiot. Although, if someone sees you smiling and nodding at your computer, then YOU might feel like an idiot, so… whatever. Do what you want.}
Turns out, there’s a food holiday for every single day of the year. Don’t believe me? Then check out this website. Told ya.
We randomly discovered that site a couple of years ago and it’s now bookmarked on our computer and the boys check it regularly. And, last year at Christmas, I actually found a cookbook called FoodFest 365!: The Officially Fun Food Holiday Cookbook
that is based on this very idea. So of course I had to buy it for Dave.
The boys have made a game out of this book: You say a date. 2. The person with the book checks that date and tells you what day it is. 3. You decide whether or not you like the food being celebrated that day. 4. If you like it, you get a point. If you don’t, the other person gets a point. Example 1: August 13. National Filet Mignon Day. Yes, I like it. Point for me. Example 2: October 9. National Moldy Cheese Day. {Seriously? Who decides these things??} Um, gag. Point for David.
Yeah. My kids aren’t at all competitive.
If you didn’t care for {or believe} my National Moldy Cheese Day example, see if any of this randomness tickles your fancy: February 23: Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. March 5: National Cheese Doodle Day. March 30: Turkey Neck Soup Day. July 8: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Omelette Day. October 14: National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day. December 18: National Roast Suckling Pig Day. {Again, I swear, I am not making these up.}
Or, my all-time favorite: August 3: Grab Some Nuts Day. {Hee hee hee… I have the maturity level of a 12-year-old boy, so that is just plain funny right there.}
Anyway.This very long, rambling introduction is my way of saying: “Happy Penuche Fudge Day, y’all!”
In case you’re not familiar with penuche fudge {we just called it penuche – pronounced “pen-oo-chee” – when I was growing up}, it’s a brown sugar-based candy. It’s sweet and creamy and absolutely delicious, and my grandmother used to make it all the time. In fact, it’s one of the very first foods I remember making as a kid.
I’ve found several different recipes online, and some call for corn syrup, evaporated milk, white chocolate … you name it. The recipe I use, and the one I’m sharing with you today, is my Grandma’s. It just uses brown sugar, milk, butter and vanilla. That’s it. It’s super easy, and crazy delicious. Although it’s also quite easy to eat an entire batch yourself, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
2 lbs (32 oz) light brown sugar
4 Tbsp butter
2/3 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
Prepare 8″x8″ pan with oil or cooking spray.
Combine brown sugar, butter and milk in a medium saucepan over medium/high heat. Boil, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 238 degrees F {soft ball stage} on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, add vanilla and beat until mixture becomes creamy and loses its glossy look {approx. 1-2 minutes}. Quickly pour into prepared pan {be sure to move quickly, because mixture hardens VERY rapidly} and cut into squares.
If you liked this, be sure to check outthese other treats!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Wontons
Lemon Cloud Push Pops
Homemade Magic Shell
Cake Batter Bark
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FAQs
Penuche, or panucci in Italian, is fudge made with brown sugar, milk, butter and a hint of vanilla -- but no chocolate. What sets penuche apart from other fudge is the brown sugar -- most fudge is made with white sugar.
What flavor is penuche fudge? ›
Penuche often has a tannish color, and is lighter than regular fudge. It is formed by the caramelization of brown sugar; thus, its flavor is said to be reminiscent of caramel. Nuts, especially pecans, are often added to penuche for texture, frequently in the making of penuche candies.
What is the origin of penuche fudge? ›
Penuche is pronounced pe-new-chee and is said to have Portugal origins, becoming popular in New England during the 1700s among Portuguese whaling families. This sweet treat is considered the oldest fudge ever created. This fudge-like candy includes brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and milk.
What does penuche mean in Spanish? ›
Etymology. Mexican Spanish panocha raw sugar, from Spanish, ear of maize, ultimately from Latin panicula panicle — more at panicle.
Why don't you stir fudge? ›
Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.
What is the most popular flavor of fudge? ›
After years of testing recipes, we're pretty sure we have a handle on the most popular fudge flavors, but chocolate and cherry will always rank high on the list.
Why is my penuche grainy? ›
Fudge must be stirred, and then not stirred, at specific times. If you stir at the wrong stage you will get grainy lumpy fudge which is worse than having no fudge at all. Hot sugar is napalm.
What makes fudge taste like fudge? ›
Fudge (Chocolate and Otherwise)
Aside from these ingredients, fudge is generally comprised simply of milk, sugar, and butter as the base. To this basic recipe, one can add chocolate chips, butterscotch, peanut butter chips, white chocolate, or even espresso powder to create compelling flavor combinations.
What is the difference between Scottish tablet and Penuche fudge? ›
Fudge captivates with its smooth and creamy texture, while Scottish tablet delights with its crumbly and grainy mouthfeel. Whether you're a fudge enthusiast or a tablet aficionado, there are numerous options available, including vegan, caramel, and gluten-free variations.
Why is it called Russian fudge? ›
Apparently the “Russian fudge” and Toffee are very close to what is called Ирис (конфеты) (Iris) in Russian, that is, a partially caramelized and boiled-down, possibly beaten, mixture of milk, sugar, and butter.
Fudge on Mackinac Island Today
Sampling Mackinac Island fudge remains one of the favorite activities of visitors, with chocolate being the most popular (although when President Gerald R. Ford came to Mackinac Island in 1975 he opted for vanilla pecan.)
What is the difference between penuche and panocha? ›
Penuche is found by the following spellings: penuchi, panocha, penocha, penochi, pinuche, and probably many other ways. No matter the spelling, the candy is all the same. It has an old-fashioned quality to it, making it a great addition to the latest candy flavors when making a candy plate selection.
What is the Spanish word for peanut butter? ›
mantequilla de cacahuete, mantequilla de maní (Translation of peanut butter from the Cambridge English-Spanish Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
What is La Peda? ›
peda [f] MX. drunkenness. Slang. 2. Slang.
Is caramel the same as fudge? ›
What is fudge? While caramel usually contains just one key ingredient, fudge is made from a perfectly balanced mixture of sugar, butter, and milk.
What do Americans call fudge? ›
Fudge is a rich, chocolate candy made with plenty of sugar, cream, and butter. Fudge is usually cut into squares and eaten in small quantities. While fudge comes in many different flavors, it's usually chocolate. In the US, another kind of fudge is smooth, melted chocolate that can be poured over the top of ice cream.
What makes fudge a fudge? ›
Fudge is a dense, rich confection typically made with sugar, milk or cream, butter and chocolate or other flavorings. The base for fudge is boiled until it reaches the soft-ball stage (135 to 140 degrees F), then stirred or beaten as it cools to minimize the formation of sugar crystals.
What's the difference between fudge and fudge ganache? ›
Although the two are made from similar ingredients, they'll wind up with different consistencies. Ganache might solidify slightly but will remain smooth as a filling or icing. Fudge, meanwhile, will be soft enough to easily bite into while being solid enough to hold its shape after it has time to set up.
that is based on this very idea. So of course I had to buy it for Dave.
