Just Call Me ‘Willena’ Wonka!
Dec 12, 2007 |
My distant cousin, Willy (Wonka, that is) has nothing over on me
these past few days. He may have a chocolate factory but I have
been a one-woman chocolate FUDGE-making MACHINE since the first
of the week. Ever since my good Georgia BULLDAWG-fan friend,
Steve Barton, emailed a selection of various chocolate and
pastry recipes I have been DYING for some good ole fudge—like my
sister and I used to make years ago. I decided to try one that
sounded infallible and ‘fool-proof’ for someone like me. But I
know how I am around chocolate, much less fudge and homemade
fudge with pecans, at that, so I decided to make my fudge
‘sugar-free’ enabling me to eat more and not pay the price of
the conventional recipe. I had the BRILLIANT idea to substitute
the powdered sugar with artificial sweetener and WHOA, suffice
it to say it was NOT the irresistible results I anticipated. In
fact, I’ve never actually EATEN dog poop, but I would imagine it
couldn’t taste any worse. So out the door went that batch and
back on track with the original recipe as it was intended.
Alas, I am happy to report the recipe really IS fool-proof, even
for ME, so I’d like to pass it along to other fudge lovers. It
makes for a wonderful gift and I bought those little tin holiday
canister boxes, lined them with Glad Wrap and poured in the
fudge to harden. I even took some little plastic knives and
broke them off to shorten the handle and placed the knife inside
atop the fudge. (Hold the plastic knife handle over a lighter or
match for a few seconds and run your finger over the edge to
smooth out the jagged edge). OR, I suppose you could always buy
some shorter knives if you can find them. Anyway, enjoy the
recipe and may you have wonderful holidays and dreams where
visions of sugar plums and fudge squares dance in your head.
Willena Wonka’s Infallible Fool-Proof Fudge
(Originally from the kitchen of Erica Wilson)
Ingredients
1 pound powdered sugar
½ cup cocoa
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
¼ pound butter/margarine
1 cup chopped nuts
Directions
Mix all dry ingredients together in an 8x8 inch microwave safe
pan (important to use this size pan). Add milk and vanilla
extract. Place stick/chunk of butter/margarine in center. (use
butter for better results) (Leave butter as whole—do not chop
up). Microwave on high for 2 to 2 ½ minutes until bottom of dish
feels warm. Stir vigorously and blend in chopped nuts. (I use
good ole Georgia pecans, but I would imagine walnuts would be
good, too). Pour into mold or whatever and chill for 1 hour.
After about an hour it’s hard enough to cut into bite-size
squares and savor every morsel, right down to the last pecan bit
picked from between your teeth. (WARNING: Do NOT eat this fudge
while working at your computer. Drool has been known to short
out a keyboard). Take it from one who knows. Smile
Until next time,
Just Call Me Dah’lin (or Willena Wonka)
Darlene Ford Wofford, aka ‘The Spirited Southerner’
