When my eldest daughter, Kathryn, was in 1st grade, parents were asked share a holiday tradition with the class. Assignments like this (and ones where I had to sew or be crafty) always put me into panic mode. I did not grow up in a large, connected family or with family traditions. We had no family heirlooms, no nativity sets or stories passed down from generation to generation, and at age 33 I had never met any of my cousins. (Thanks to Facebook I at least know they are out there). I racked my brain for something to share and the only thing I could come up with was fudge, Christmas fudge. While not exactly a "tradition," every year at the holidays my mom would make marshmallow crème fudge, so I made fudge. My daughter was skeptical, skeptical to the point she wouldn't try the fudge. Getting her to try it consisted of me chasing her around the living room, her hands cupped over her mouth belting out a muffled "I don't like smudge, I don't like smudge!" After finally tackling her to the ground and forcing (I use this term lovingly) some "smudge" through her lips, she stopped, tasted, and loudly proclaimed, "I do like smudge!" And thus, a Callahan Christmas tradition was born.
To this day, I am expected to make marshmallow crème "smudge" at the holidays. Kathryn, who now lives in Japan, has asked for two things when she comes to visit this Christmas: Papa John's pizza and marshmallow crème fudge. Over the years my daughters have tried other fudge, fudge their friends' moms have made or fudge from candy stores. They tell me ours is the best. Whether it's the best because it truly is the best or because it's now our family tradition, doesn't matter. What matters is we now have a tradition that we share as a family and with others. Below I share our tradition with you. And while we think it is the best, you don't just have to take my word for it. In the words of Kathryn's 6-year old classmate after tasting our family tradition, "Ms. Callahan, that's the best family tradition ever!"
The Original Fantasy Fudge
(This recipe used to be found on the back of the Kraft Marshmallow Crème label)
3 cups white sugar
¾ cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 (12 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional, and never part of our family tradition)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Grease 9x13 inch pan
Mix sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Bring mixture to a full boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid scorching.
Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted and thoroughly combined. Stir in marshmallow crème, (walnuts- only if you want to ruin your fudge) and vanilla extract. Transfer mixture to greased pan and let cool before cutting into squares.
Cut, serve, and over-indulge in our delicious family tradition!
From my family to yours!
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Tricia Callahan
Senior Research Education and Information Officer
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
(970) 491-1602
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