At Chutters, our homemade fudge is a family favorite that dates back to decades of pure, New Hampshire tradition. Fudge can be made in many ways, at varying complexities and flavor profiles. Unlike other desserts that date back thousands of years, fudge is a relatively new dessert that was created in the late 1800s. Today, fudge can be made with just chocolate and condensed milk at its simplest form. Chocolatiers often make fudge in its original form of chocolate, cream, butter, and sugar. The actual history of fudge is foggy, but it is known that it was invented in Baltimore around the end of the 1800s. The first written document that mentions fudge was written by a student at Vassar who was explaining that her friend’s cousin had made a bunch of fudge for a fundraiser and sold it for 40 cents a pound. Young people started to pick up on the trend and before you knew it, fudge became a popularly served candy dessert! Some people even say that fudge is in fact derived from Scotland’s treat, “tablet”. This is a grainier and harder version of fudge but is quite similar in many ways. Among today’s confection experts, they consider fudge to be a type of fondant. Not like the decoration on cakes, but more like the center of a peppermint patty. Since fudge was invented, places all over the country started making their own version of the confection. A small island in Michigan (Mackinac Island) actually claims to be the fudge capital of the world, with over a dozen fudge shops. The island is tiny, clocking in at about 4.35 square miles. At one point, Mackinac Island has a fudge master who offered a lifetime supply of fudge for anyone who was willing to pay $2,250 up front for the service. Another fact about fudge is that the largest slab of fudge was made by Northwest Fudge Factory in Levack, Ontario, Canada, on October 23rd, 2010. It weighed 5,760 lb! Chutters has been making hand made fudge in over a dozen creative and fun flavors for decades. The reason why many DIY fudge recipes involve condensed milk is because it is easy to under and overcook fudge and mess up the consistency. If you stir the mixture too quickly the fudge can crystallize. In general, you need much more equipment and expertise to make fudge from its original recipe. The student at Vassar’s recipe states: 2 cups granulated white sugar 1 cup cream 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1 tablespoon butter Combine sugar and cream and cook over moderate heat. When this becomes very hot, add the chocolate. Stir constantly. Cook until mixture reaches soft-ball stage (234°-238°F). Remove from heat and add butter. Cool slightly, then mix until fudge starts to thicken. Transfer to a buttered tin. Cut into diamond-shaped pieces before fudge hardens completely. Fun Fact: Another theory about fudge is that it was originally a batch of “fudged”, or incorrectly made, caramel. Thus the phrase, “oh, fudge!” Chutters Candy Counter is known for their fudge, as there are always 20+ different varieties of fudge every day! From traditional flavors like maple walnut, penuche, and peanut butter, to more complex flavors like raspberry cheesecake and rocky road. National Fudge Day is June 16th, so come in and celebrate the confection with a square of your favorite flavor. Not sure what flavor to choose? We offer free samples every day. Fudge freezes well for a whole year, so feel free to buy in bulk and bring the treat home with you to enjoy for months. Not a fan of fudge? Chutters has the longest candy counter in the world, meaning there is a candy for everyone..jpg?width=600&name=unnamed%20(5).jpg "Oh Fudge! What Came First? The Confection? Or the Verb? (1)")
The “Original” Fudge Recipe From Emelyn B. Hartridge of Vassar College:
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FAQs
What is the origin of the word fudge? ›
The term fudge is said to have originated in the 17th century from the verb fadge and means "to fit together in a clumsy manner". During this period, fudge was used as an interjection by sailors to respond to nonsense or untruth.
Is fudge a confection? ›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 is the history of fudge? ›Fudge, a much-loved confection, traces its origins back to the late 19th century in the United States. The exact date of its invention is somewhat nebulous, but the first documented instance of fudge is commonly believed to have occurred around the 1880s.
Why do they call fudge fudge? ›The exact origin and inventor of this delicious confection are hotly debated. However, many believe the first batch of fudge was created by accident when American bakers “fudged” a batch of caramels. Hence the name “fudge.”
Where does the phrase "fudging" come from? ›The origin of the verb to fudge is lost in the mists of the 17th century: some say it derives from the archaic fadge, ''to agree'' or ''to fit pieces together''; others point to the chance of echoic variation of the German futsch, ''gone, ruined''; Isaac D'Israeli, Ben's father, speculated that fudge is an eponym of ...
What does fudge as a verb mean? ›to cheat about something slightly, esp. by not reporting facts accurately or not telling the exact truth: [ T ] I think the company fudged the figures to make their losses look less than they were.
What do Americans call fudge? ›fudge in American English
a soft candy made of butter, milk, sugar, and chocolate or other flavoring, etc.
When fudge is a verb, it means to avoid straightforwardly answering a question or addressing a subject: "Just answer my question and don't fudge the issue!" Fudge is an American word from college slang meaning "a made-up story."
What makes something a confection? ›Confection is a word that refers to something confected—that is, put together—from several different ingredients or elements. Often confections are sweet and edible, but confection can also be used to refer to a finely worked piece of craftsmanship.
Where is the fudge capital of the world? ›Whether you visit Mackinac Island on National Fudge Day in June or any other day – maybe during the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August – come find your favorite flavor and experience the fudge capital of the world!
What state is known for fudge? ›
On Michigan's world-renowned Mackinac Island, the sweet aroma of fudge wafts out onto the street from four unique Ryba's Fudge Shops.
Is fudge a swear word? ›Thus in English you get 'fudge' for 'f*ck', 'shoot' for 'sh*t', 'darn' for 'damn', etc. And because people are the same everywhere this occurs in all of the languages, like with 'blin' for 'blyat' in Russian.
Where did the name fudge come from? ›English (of Norman origin): from the Middle English, Anglo-Norman French personal name Fulch or Fuche, usually a pet form of Old French Fulcher, Fucher (see Fulcher ). Voicing of 'ch' to soft 'g' gave rise to Fudge.
What is fudge called in Scotland? ›Some people will try to tell you that tablet is a form of fudge. However, proper tablet aficionados (and we have been doing a lot of sampling) will tell you that there is a clear difference in texture between tablet and fudge. Fudge tends to be softer, while tablet has a grainier and more brittle texture.
Does fudge need to be refrigerated? ›Fudge is best stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks wrapped up in its original wax paper. NEVER REFRIGERATE your fudge as this will draw out the moisture and leave you with dry, crumbly fudge.
What does the slang what the fudge mean? ›1. : foolish nonsense. often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief.
What does the slang term fudging mean? ›Meaning of fudging in English
to avoid making a decision or giving a clear answer about something: fudge the issue The government continues to fudge the issue by refusing to give exact figures. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Avoiding action. abrogate.
That appetite for fudge dates back more than a century. Food historian Joyce White says fudge is based on a recipe for chocolate caramels, which was very similar. "What probably happened is that there was someone in Baltimore, messed it up, or 'fadged' it," she said. "Fadge is a word that means you messed up.