Do you remember the slogan for an old commercial that had people taking sides on tacos? Some would say, “I like making it!” and others would say, “I like eating it!” If you are over 40 and grew up in the U.S., I’ll bet you remember.
When it comes to fudge, most people would say they like eating it way more than they like making it!
Making fudge is tiresome, tedious work that often ends with unsatisfactory results. Fudge has to be cooked at a high temperature then cooled while stirred constantly or the sugar will crystallize into a gritty mess.
So, with patience and a gastronomic aptitude one can achieve great fudge. That is why I like eating it. I don’t possess either one of those fudge making qualities.
Aunt Belle’s Chocolate Fudge (Walker, Minnesota) is what fudge ought to be; smooth and creamy and full of flavor. I think the majority of people love fudge because it is sweet and tolerates just about any flavor you mix into it.
I counted ten varieties of fudge offered by Aunt Belle’s. The menu reminded me of ordering in an ice cream shop with Chocolate Walnut, Peppermint, Mint, and Butter Pecan. There are some unusual selections like Pumpkin, Maple, and White Russian.
My son and I shared a slice of chocolate fudge while we walked around the quaint downtown shopping district of Walker. The chocolate was mild but flavorful and balanced in spite of the strong sweetness. Most importantly, the texture was velvety soft. So while I reported disappointment with Aunt Belle’s Bear Paw, I was quite pleased with the fudge.
Fudge has an interesting history. The best information I found is an article called The Origin of Fudge at a great website called The Nibble. Read that article to learn more about fudge in general.
