Gina's Chocolate Fudge

This is an updated version of a post from 2010

Food gifts are the best.  I love to give them as well as receive them, especially sweets. Fudge is one of the perfect gifts to give anyone, in my opinion. The methods of packing and gift wrapping are endless and just about everyone loves fudge. It is one of those universal gifts.

When I quit working and became a one-income family, store bought gifts were the first thing to go, especially the past extravagance of Christmas. I was blessed with the ability to create cool and unique items that everyone in the family loved to receive. Handmade gifts are so appreciated by most people because they are special and made with lots of love. 

This is the only fudge recipe I use . . . CHOCOLATE . . . it is the only one I need . . . it is that good and relatively easy.  

Even in my working days, JR and I had a tradition of taking vacation days around the Christmas holiday.  We baked and cooked non-stop in preparation for our annual Christmas party and made lots of food gifts for our guests to take home. I remember one year spending two days just making batches of fudge, one at a time . . . those were the good ole days for me! 

I have no idea where this recipe came from, but I have used it year after year since I was out on my own decades ago.

Makes 100 1-inch pieces


12 ounces German sweet chocolate, broken

12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate morsels

7 ounces marshmallow creme

4 1/2 cups sugar

13 ounces evaporated milk

2 tablespoons butter

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 cups broken walnuts

Place chocolate bars, morsels and marshmallow creme in a bowl.

Combine sugar, milk, butter and salt in a heavy 3 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil on high, stirring constantly. When the mixture boils, lower heat to medium and set a timer for 6 minutes. Keep mixture boiling steadily and stir constantly during this time to prevent scorching.

At the end of 6 minutes, pour boiling syrup over chocolate and marshmallow creme. Beat until chocolate is melted and well blended. Beat in the vanilla and nuts.

Pour into a lightly buttered 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Let cool at room temperature for 24 hours. Cut into 1 inch squares and pack in airtight containers.

Amaretto Almond Bundt Cake

 

Photo source: Bake or Break

This cake is so beautiful and the combination of amaretto and almond has to be delicious.  I may have to make it, keep a piece or two for myself and give the rest away.  

This recipe comes from Bake or Break . . . click here to go to the recipe page.

Almost Famous Molten Chocolate Cake

Photo source:  Food Network Kitchen

Have you ever had Chili's Molten Chocolate Cake?

It is one of my favorite desserts from Chili's!

The Food Network Kitchen has come up with their version . . .

click here to go to the recipe page.

Brownie Bonbons

Great idea for gifts or entertaining!

Quick and easy semi-homemade . . . 

my favorite kind of recipe :)

A variation I would try is a chocolate

coating instead of  candy canes.

This recipe comes from Mr. Food . . . 

click here for the recipe.

Cherry Cordials

Photo source: Mr. Food

One of my favorite chocolate candies :)

This is one of those candies that is perfect for gift giving.  Make a batch of these and package some up to have as a small gift of appreciation to the hostess of a party or for someone who has come to visit you, etc.  It is always a good idea to have plenty of these type of little gifts on hand for all types of situations.

This recipe comes from Mr. Food who always has awesome recipes.  Click here to go to Mr. Food's recipe page.

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits is a favorite comfort food that is easy to make for such a delicious meal.  There are so many versions of this recipe, but this one is simple and basic.  Perfect with cornbread on the side.

This recipe comes from Taste of Home.  Click here to go to the recipe.  

Copycat Almond Joy Candy Bars

 

Photo source: Mom on Timeout

This recipe is for me!  My favorite candy bar . . . I'll have to make these as a gift to myself.  These candy bars would be my choice to make for gifts to others too.  They look quick and easy to make.

These delicious treats come from Trish at Mom on Timeout.  Click here to go to the recipe page.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

 

Photo source: Mom on Timeout

Christmas cookies are so special.  One of my holiday favorites was a dessert buffet covered with colorful and festive Christmas cookies.  One of my favorite childhood Christmas cooking/baking activities was making and decorating Christmas cookies.  Funny how a simple food item can conjure up so many memories.

Here is one to add to your collection.  It comes from Trish at Mom on Timeout.  Click here to go to her recipe page.

Lemon Chicken And Rice Casserole

 

Photo source: All Recipes

Lemon chicken is awesome, so I can imagine baking it with rice and cream of chicken soup would make it super awesome.  Sounds like a great recipe to try.  Quick and easy too.

This recipe comes from All Recipes.  Click here to go to the recipe.

Sheet Pan Scalloped Potatoes

 

Photo source:  Damn Delicious

Looks delicious!  I must admit, there isn't a potato recipe that I don't like.  It is possibly my favorite food group.  And this recipe, it looks like it is more crispy than creamy, which is fine with me.  There is a place for both.

This recipe comes from Damn Delicious . . . click here to go to the recipe page.

Crack Chicken Penne Pasta

 

Photo source:  Easy Chicken Recipes

Cream cheese, ranch, bacon, chicken sounds awesome.  Looks like an easy one-pot meal.  Sounds like a winner to me!

This recipe comes from Becky at Easy Chicken Recipes.  Click here to go to the recipe page.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes

 

Photo source: The Shortcut Kitchen

Interesting recipe for a cupcake that I would love to try.  Sounds like a winner!

This recipe is brought to you by The Shortcut Kitchen also known as CentsLessDeals.com.

Click here for the recipe page.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

 

Photo source:  Mom on Timeout

These little sweet treats are so special.  Kids love them and big kids like me love them too.  Quick and easy, no bake.  A great last minute addition to your holiday buffet table.

This recipe comes from Trish at Mom on Timeout.  Click here to go to the recipe.

Chef John's Perfect Prime Rib

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

Prime Rib would be the perfect menu item for a special holiday party.  Mashed potatoes as a side dish is a must.  Worth the effort!

Chef John is one of my favorite chefs that I subscribe to on You Tube (Food Wishes).   He makes everything look so easy. 

Click here to go to recipe page.

The BEST Homemade Biscuit Recipe

 

Photo source: Mom on Timeout

Made from scratch biscuits are delicious, but I make Bisquick biscuits that are quick and easy.  I don't make drop biscuits, I roll them out.  Most people think I made them from scratch.  My pancakes are also made with Bisquick.   It is one of the grocery store items I don't buy generic since I think Bisquick is the best.

I also make them from scratch using buttermilk that I learned to make as a teenager by my neighbor Dot, who was a wonderful southern cook that I learned how to make most of the basic baked stuff.  I will post my recipe one day soon, they are put away and I don't know them from memory.

Trish from Mom on Timeout claims her recipe is the best homemade biscuit recipe.  I have not made them.  But the photo shows a good looking biscuit that makes me want to make them now.

Click here to go to Trish's recipe page.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

 

Photo source: Natasha's Kitchen

Beef stew is one of those meals JR, my first husband, and I would make often with biscuits.  His southern mom taught me how to make her beef stew that was the most delicious I ever had.  

The ingredients are basically the same as Natasha's recipe.  I don't use beef broth.  The cut up beef is coated in seasoned flour and browned until fully cooked in a dutch oven with a little oil.  I like it cooked until the beef is a little crispy.  Then water is added that covers the beef and a slurry of seasoned flour and water is added.  Cook until it thickens a bit.  I believe it is the seasoned flour that makes the difference in the flavor of the beef stew.  Then I add the vegetables and water to cover it.  It cooks for at least three or four hours.  You know it is done when he vegetables are cooked as you desire.  I don't like them crunchy.  The thickness is determined by your preference.  Add more of the slurry as it cooks if it is not thick enough or add water if it is too thick.  Season and taste as it cooks with your favorite seasonings.

The beef stew recipe I am featuring is from Natasha's Kitchen and prepared in a slow cooker.  She is one of the chefs I watch regularly and subscribe to on You Tube.

Click here to go to her recipe page.

Maple Bacon Cheddar Biscuits

 

Photo source: Damn Delicious

These biscuits look delicious and outstanding!  What a perfect addition to breakfast.  The photo says it all.

Damn Delicious has posted this recipe.  Click here to go to the recipe.

Cheesy Garlic Smashed Potatoes

 

Photo source: Simply Recipes

These potatoes are something I could eat every day.  My method for making these type of potatoes is to cook little potatoes (with holes poked in them) in the microwave with butter.  Microwave for 6 minutes.  Take out and cover with cheddar cheese.  This recipe gave me the idea to use garlic powder too.  Also, I may try to make them in the air fryer to achieve the crispiness.

This recipe comes from Simply Recipes.  Click here to go to the recipe page.

Copycat York Peppermint Patties

 

Photo source: Maria's Mixing Bowl

This is one of those homemade goodies that makes a great gift.  It made me very happy to find this recipe.  Love peppermint patties and should make a gift for myself.

If you love them too, make a batch!

Click here to go to Maria's Mixing Bowl's recipe page.

The Best Way to Make Lasagne

 

Photo source:  Sip and Feast

There are so many ways I've seen people make lasagne.  I make mine the way my nana did, much like Jim of Sip and Feast does.  The differences are . . . I make little bite sized meatballs made with beef and pork, and I make italian sausage and cut it up in small bite size pieces . . . pure ricotta goes in by the spoonful in all layers and I use a lot since I love it.  And I love chunky lasagne.  

Click here to go to Jim's recipe page to print out or check out his video below.  Subscribe to his You Tube channel if you love italian food, he is one of the best I have seen!