Today’s Spotlight is on Peanut Butter Fudge.

Fudge is a type of confection that is made by mixing sugar, butter and milk. It has its origins in 19th century USA and was popular in the women’s colleges of the time. Fudge can come in a variety of flavorings depending on the region or country it was made; popular flavors include fruit, nut, chocolate and caramel. Peanut butter fudge is a confection that can be made with or without cocoa or other chocolate elements.

Fudge is a dense, creamy candy made with sugar, milk, butter, and chocolate or other flavorings. It’s usually made on the stove. Fudge has a consistency that’s harder than fondant and softer than hard chocolate. It’s easily recognizable by its texture, which allows it to bend and remain soft.

 

It can be made with just a few ingredients, including:

• Two cups of granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 3/4 cup of creamy peanut butter

To make peanut butter fudge, you can:

• Boil sugar, butter, and milk in a double boiler over medium heat.
• Reduce heat and cook until it forms a soft ball.
• Remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients.
• Stir until smooth.
• Spread in a pan.

 

History

According to legend, fudge was invented in Baltimore, Maryland on Valentine’s Day in 1886. The word fudge was used for the first time to pertain to food when a batch of caramels did not turn out quite right. Rumor has it that that batch of caramel was “fudged,” thus, creating the food type that we now know as fudge.

A confectioner and chocolate maker “fudged” a batch of French caramels, which is how the candy got its name. The first written mention of fudge was in 1888. A student at Vassar College named Emelyn Battersby Hartridge wrote a letter about candy. She said she received the recipe from a friend’s cousin. That same year, Hartridge made a large batch of fudge to sell at a school fundraiser.

Fudge was popular in women’s colleges in the 19th century. It was commonly associated with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Peanut butter fudge has been around since the late 1800s. It’s believed to have originated from experiments with peanut butter. One of the first recipes for peanut butter fudge originated in Maryland and was later shared with family members in New York. The New York newspaper The Sun published a recipe called “Fudges at Vassar” in 1895.

Here are some fun facts about peanut butter fudge:

• Peanut butter fudge is often made with marshmallow creme or marshmallows for a softer, creamier texture.
• The exact first instance of peanut butter being used in a fudge batch is unknown.
• The largest slab of fudge weighed 5,760 pounds—more than a Ford Taurus.
• The verb “to fudge” used to refer to a clumsy adjustment in the 1700s. In the 1800s, fudge was a hoax or a cheat.
• Early recipes of fudge are quite similar to chocolate caramel mixtures.

 

Here is a Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar.
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¾ cup peanut butter

 

Instructions:

1. Lightly spray an 8×8 dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a medium pan stir together the sugar and the milk. Over medium-low heat, bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 ½ minutes, stirring continuously to prevent sticking.
3. Remove from the heat, stir in the peanut butter and the vanilla until smooth.
4. Pour into the prepared pan and allow it to cool completely.
5. Enjoy!

 

Consumption

On average, peanut butter fudge is consumed 1.36 times per year.

One piece of homemade peanut butter fudge contains:

• 4g total carbs
• 3g net carbs
• 1g fat
• 6g protein
• 62 calories

Peanut butter fudge also contains:

• 70 mcg vitamin A
• 10 mg iron
• 02 mg calcium
• 39 mg potassium

 

Celebrating Peanut Butter Fudge

The National Peanut Board established National Peanut Butter Fudge Day, which is celebrated on November 20th.