So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Monday, January 22, 2018

How To Make Smooth And Delicious Chocolate Fudge

By Carol Powell


While no one knows exactly where this popular dessert item originally came from, there is a popular story in the lore of candy makers. It is said that in Baltimore, a candy maker was attempting to prepare a batch of French caramels. However, he made a mistake and what came out was a confectionery that would one day become chocolate fudge like people are familiar with today.

Historians trace the first account of the existence of fudge in 1889. This was when a Maryland college student came across a recipe for this sweet food from the relative of a friend of hers. After she made a huge amount of it for the benefit of the senior auction at her school, the popularity of it spread like wildfire throughout many women's colleges.

All chefs and candy makers know that everything must be in place in order for a kitchen to run properly. This means having a good, clean space to work in and having all the ingredients and supplies that are necessary. A thermometer is important, as are a heavy saucepan that will evenly distribute heat, a wooden spoon, and a baking dish.

One of the most important rules for anyone attempting to make their own delicious treats at home is to always follow the directions listed in the recipe they are using. The science behind making this candy requires exact temperatures to be reached and for ingredients to be added at the right time in the right order. This is important for the sugar crystals to react the right way.

A well-oiled saucepan is a very important thing when it comes to most any form of candy making, and definitely for all types of fudges. A lot of people who are very experienced in this department make a habit of buttering their pan ahead of time. This can make all the difference because it stops the crystals of sugar from sticking, and it can prevent a boilover.

One might be tempted to stir throughout the entire heating process of the mixture, but this would be a mistake and could have a cost on the texture of the final product. Stirring is good at the beginning of the process so that the sugar can dissolve, and stirring is good to make sure that the milk doesn't curdle. However, at 237 degrees Fahrenheit, or the soft-ball stage, it is imperative that no stirring occurs.

Corn syrup, while not always ideal, is a great recipe for beginners to use because it has a way of helping the sugar crystals behave the right way so the end product comes out with a smooth texture. Marshmallows, as well as marshmallow creme, are also good for this. To prevent curdling, it is a good idea to use cream or condensed milk.

A good way to test the readiness of a mixture when a thermometer is not available is by having a cup or bowl of cold water ready. This can be used to drop a little bit of this mixture into. The ball can then be taken out and squished in the hand, and if it's soft, the mixture is ready to be cooled.




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