This is an old fashioned recipe, very different from modern ones, but you can't beat the texture and flavor of a stovetop fudge recipe. This one has peanut butter and marshmallows, so you know you're in for a ride.
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Vintage dessert recipe
This past week was quite busy in the vintage kitchen. A friend celebrated his birthday last Friday night and asked me if I could help him with the food.
This was part of the dessert and they became an instant hit! I was going to make the easy fudge with condensed milk we all love, but I decided on this old-school beauty at the last moment. It was a good call.
This fudge is so old-fashioned it's made on the stovetop with a candy thermometer, and requires a bit of attention while it's cooking. But wow, it's so worth it.
The creaminess is unsurpassed. And the addition of peanut butter is genius. I can't get over how good peanut butter and chocolate are together.
For easier fudge recipes without a thermometer, you can try the peanut butter fudge, my favorite buckeye fudge and the chocolate peanut fudge.
About this recipe
This is old-fashioned stovetop fudge, the way past generations used to make it. A labor of love we might say.
- Stovetop: it doesn't take much time, but there are several ingredients and a candy thermometer is highly recommended if you want the right consistency.
- Salt: I love to add some sea salt on top sometimes (Maldon smoked sea salt is my favorite)
- Extras: you can decrease the amount of marshmallows and throw in some pecans, peanuts or walnut pieces.
The vintage recipe I chose for today proved to be everything I love about old-fashioned recipes, trustworthy and superb both in flavor and texture.
I had wanted to make fudge for a long time, but most include marshmallow fluff which I can't find here, and have a grainy extra sweet feeling that doesn't agree with my idea of candy.
But hello! I have homemade vanilla marshmallows now. Yeah, the recipe makes a lot, and I have a lot, still. Some in a tin, others in a plastic bag. And they're still just as good as a few weeks back. They're like cockroaches, they survive everything.
Marshmallows in fudge?
I think I went a little overboard with the number of marshmallows because the recipe said ten, and well, who knew what size marshmallows were sold in the 40's right? I simply guessed an amount and went with that.
They are a nice and soft surprise or stumbles as we say here, which explains it very well.
Storing
The good thing is that it lasts for a week. Just keep it in a tin, separated by wax paper so they don't stick together.
You can also refrigerate them, well wrapped, and keep them for a few weeks.
Related recipes you might like:
Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge (vintage recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup peanut butter, creamy
- ¾ cup mini marshmallows, or large ones cut into bites
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch (20cm) square pan with parchmente paper or aluminum foil.
- In a heavy medium saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, ¾ cup milk and 2 tablespoons corn syrup.
- Add 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils. Attach a candy thermometer and let it boil slowly, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 236ºF/113°C, or soft ball stage.
- Remove from the heat, add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter on top, but don't stir. Let cool to lukewarm (110ºF/43°C), like warm tap water.
- Add pinch salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ⅓ cup peanut butter and mix well. Add ¾ cup mini marshmallows and pour into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
- Put in the fridge until cold. Cut into squares and serve.
- Keep refrigerated, well wrapped.
Dana @ Simply Romanesco says
I bet the party was amazing! And this fudge – glorious! All those delicious ingredients in one mouthwatering dessert 🙂 Love it!
yummychunklet says
How delicious!
Laura Dembowski says
I love real fudge like this! It's simply amazing! It was so nice of you to help with the party. I would've needed more than just one day to recover 😉
Savory Simple says
I think I would attack this entire batch of fudge. It really sounds incredible!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Paula,
Love this post. . first off, damn, what a wonderful spread you made for your friend! wow! and secondly, I just spent 40 minutes reading both stephanie and sarah's blogs. Blogging perspective? more like LIFE perspective. I LOVED these posts. Thank you for sharing!
And this fudge with your homemade marshmallows. . I LOVE this. . I will absolutely try this . . looks perfect and so delicious esp with the marshmallows!
Patty Price says
Stove top fudge is the real deal Paula! I would be in your kitchen begging for one of these pieces of choco -peanut butter fudge if I was anywhere nearby your house 😉
Lail | With A Spin says
Those fudges are calling my name to try some. Very very good.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I make fudge every year in December. Why I don't make it more often is the question. this looks very, very good!
Liz Berg says
You have touched on all my daughter's favorites: pb, fudge and marshmallows! And I love that you used homemade marshmallows...you rock, my friend!
thelittleloaf says
That party sounds fab! And your fudge looks divine - salt, chocolate, peanut and marshmallow all combined is my idea of bliss!
Angie Schneider says
Sweet, sinful and irresistible! I would love one right now, Paula.
laurasmess.me says
Yum, I love homemade fudge. Great idea to add the peanut butter and enjoy it with a beautiful sprinkling of sea salt! Mmmm! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this recipe... and the photo of your customer!! Ha! That gave me a much needed afternoon laugh!! xx
Medeja says
Oh it sounds like a very sweet fudge, I don't think that even I would be able to have more than few pieces without teeth pain 😀
The Ninja Baker says
Paula to the rescue! I've got a few marshmallows in the cupboard which I didn't want to throw out. But thanks to you, I can make amazing fudge! Seriously, Paula you are so impressive. Even the simplest of foods like fudge are gourmet when they are made in the Vintage Kitchen =)
P.s. I'm clipping your mini cheddar scallion muffin recipe, too =)
P.s. 2. How wonderful that you enjoyed a party until 5 a.m....You mentioned dancing...Any tango?
Kat says
Parties where only finger food is served are much more manageable in terms of cooking (and tend to be much more fun than a sit-down dinner!) These look so delicious, I always love the combination of sea salt and chocolate.
Guru Uru says
Haha I think anyone would be feeling a little out of it if they slept at 5 - I'm talking from lack-of-sleep overs experience 😉 love talking the night away and groaning in the morning!
This party sounds like fun and I love this fudgy dessert, it literally has everything!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
silkandcookie says
Triple yum! These look mouth watering!
Deb says
My mom made stove top fudge! I have no idea where that recipe is hiding! I'm to prepare a "Dessert Table" at my son's wedding later this year and your story of staying up all night has me fearful of being over committed! Planning, planning and more planning and some help will be needed!
Cocoa and Lavender says
Seriously? How fat do you want me to be? 🙂 This sounds great - but I think the pancetta-wrapped prunes will be happening in my kitchen this week! ~ David
Pencil Kitchen says
ah.. fudge.. you were once stuck to my hand as i go to sleep. 😉