So, ya want calories for them winter trips? And you don't cook or want to slave for a long time? Well, look no further! This here will make a nice brick of fudge in about 5 minutes.
Fudge, you say? Heavy yes, but perfect if you slip it into your friends pack when they are not looking ;-) Though it is tasty enough that you can bribe someone into carrying it usually!

In a medium heavy sauce pan melt over low heat:
18 oz's semi sweet chocolate chips (3 cups)
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
a tiny pinch of salt (couple grains of sea or kosher)

When melted add in 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Stir in well using a spatula.

Pour into a 8x8 or 9x9 pan that is lined with parchment paper or saran wrap. Have the paper go over the edges of the pan. Using the spatula, flatten and spread out the fudge.
Put in fridge for a couple hours till hardened, then take out and cut up, or for winter camping, just wrap the brick in saran wrap, and put in a gallon freezer bag. Cut as wanted in camp.

Nutritional info: When I have time, I'll run it.

Notes: Nuts and candy add in well. You can also use any flavor of "chips" in the recipe for a different taste.

Edited by sarbar on 12/05/2006 22:52:10 MST.

WOW, Sarbar,

i never knew fudge was that easy to make. i'm sure with all that sugar creating an osmotically unstable environment, bacterial spoilage and maybe molds also, aren't much of a concern. Please let me know, from you own personal experience, if you agree with this last statement, i.e. have you ever had bacteria or mold spoil your fudge. If so, how long did it take?

BTW, do people here know about your excellent recipe book? i purchased a copy, but haven't read the whole thing or flipped through it in quite a while (i'm still hooked on going cookless, eating just GORP, and just heating water for green tea and sometimes oatmeal). i'm sure others would get far more use from your excellent book than i have gotten to date (this due to my own negligence in using it to spice up my trail diet). Though i have used it for preparing myself some dinners one time when my wife was away at a Medical Conference! Your book is right up there on the shelf next to the Joy of Cooking (the "Bible" of in-Home cookbooks, IMHO).

[Note: sometimes my accident induced "old-timers" really acts up and i fear that it may be actin' up right 'bout now. i hope that i'm not confusing you with someone else. i have two excellent trail recipe books - one by a woman and one by a man. for some reason, i've been equating you with that woman. PLEASE correct me if i'm mistaken.]

Edited by pj on 12/06/2006 10:42:19 MST.

Hey PJ, you got the right person ;-) We have book 2 almost ready also!

As for fudge, I only carry it in winter (it would be the calories and fat and my guilt eating it any other time!) I do keep it cold, and we eat it in 3 days or less. I wouldn't carry large amounts in warmer weather, as I would be worried about it getting soft and yes, bacteria. The recipe does work a bit better since it doesn't have butter or cream added, which would spoil faster. If a person did carry it in warmer weather, I'd be careful with using a clean knife to cut it.
I have another fudge recipe on my website which has even more fat in it ;-)
Sarah

Sarah - this fudge is almost identical to one my Mom made when I was a kid. I was talking with her about it this morning and she made this back when they didn't have a fridge - she'd keep it for several weeks without refridgeration, that is if her brother didn't find it first.

Sweetened condensed milk is already cooked. Basically it is sweetened milk that has been boiled down to reomve more than 60% of the water.

Your fudge, once set, can be kept out of the fridge. I wrap each serving separately in waxed paper and then put it in a zip bag.

Edited by Laurie_Ann on 12/06/2006 10:39:50 MST.

Sarah, I read on your site that book two is for Scouts. Looks like you are going to have some competition as Tim and Christine Conners have been publicly asking for recipes and working on a similar book for a considerably long time now.

Here is the info...

Edited by Laurie_Ann on 12/06/2006 10:52:29 MST.

for some reason 1/2 the post didn't show up and the edit function was pointing me somewhere else. So here is the full message...

Sarah, I read on your site that book two is for Scouts. Looks like you are going to have some competition as Tim and Christine Conners have been publicly asking for recipes and working on a similar book for a considerably long time now.

Here is the info...

Books by Conners - Scout Cookbook

The nice thing about the cookbook industry is that there is lots of room for ideas and cookbooks along the same lines.

That is actually book 4. I have 3 I am working on right now. Book 2 is my pet project. It has been a fun piece to work on.
As for the Scouts, my son is active in Cub Scouts and when I have time I give presentations to the local Boy Scout troops on trail cooking. Quite fun indeed to do. My husband was a Scout when he was young.

I saw this via an email I get often this morning:
Edit:I am posting this disclaimer:
I received this recipe in a mass mailing I get from one of my recipe groups. It is a Kraft recipe also, which is most likely where the recipe was picked up from. I posted this recipe because, dang, it is nummy!
So maybe my net nanny will find something else to do with their time, hmmmmm?
The recipe has been rewritten in an easier to read style, and how to do on a stove. I tried the recipe out tonight, after work and was very happy with it. I can see it will be a recipe that gets posted and shared quite a bit. I used the stove method, as I am wary of using a microwave to melt chocolate. Bags of white chocolate chips could be subbed.


White Chocolate Fudge:

2 pkg. (6 squares each) BAKER'S Premium White Baking Chocolate
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup coarsely chopped PLANTERS Almonds, toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 Tbsp. grated orange peel

Line an 8X8 pan with parchment paper, with ends extending over sides of pan. Microwave chocolate and milk in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add almonds, cranberries and orange peel; stir until well blended.
Spread chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.
Take fudge from pan, using paper. Cut up.
Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks, tightly wrapped. (Do not freeze.)

This can also could be done on the stove in a heavy saucepan. Melt slowly and blend then proceed as above. A silicone spatula works well in cooking and packing the fudge. Yummers.

Edited by sarbar on 12/06/2006 23:35:33 MST.

Chocolate-Peppermint Fudge:

3 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter (use only butter)
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup fresh, chopped peppermint leaves (the leaves must be 100% dry of any water)

Put chocolate, butter and milk into a Pyrex glass bowl, put that over a gently simmering pot of water on the stove. Using the double boiler method, slowly melt. Stir periodically. When melted, add the walnuts and peppermint leaves.
Pour into a parchment lined 8x8 pan. Put into the refrigrator till cold. Wrap in saran wrap tightly.


Rocky Road Fudge:

12 oz's semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 package)
11 oz's butterscotch chips (1 package)
1 16 oz bag of minature marshmallows
1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy works best)

Put the chips and peanut butter into a microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes at 70%. Stir well. If needed microwave for another minute in 10-15 second intervals. When smooth, add in marshmallows and mix up. Spread in parchment lined 8x8 pan and cool. Store sealed in saran wrap.

Edited by sarbar on 12/07/2006 00:00:24 MST.

Another fudge recipe that is worth the time to try:

PB & Chocolate Fudge:

2/3 cup milk
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup mini marshmallows
2 cups chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup plain M&M's

In a 2 quart pot, combine milk and sugar. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, then simmer for 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and quickly add marshmallows, PB and M&M's. Mix well. Pour into a prepared pan and allow to cool, then cut and wrap tightly.

Edited by sarbar on 12/06/2006 23:37:06 MST.

I have been making this recipe for a number of years. It is truly high fat and high calorie.

The Easiest Best Fudge Ever:

1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbl unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream (ie. whipping cream)
1 3/4 cup miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 cups of chips (use any flavor! Chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla, butterscotch, mint, etc)
1/2 tsp vanilla or whatever flavor extract you would like (almond, peppermint, etc.)

Combine sugar, salt, butter, cream and marshmallows in a heavy medium saucepan. Set over medium heat, cook, stirring until butter and marshmallows are almost melted. That will take about 5-6 minutes. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Take off burner. Add chips and flavoring to pan. Start stirring and keep that going until all the chips are melted and it looks all nicely mixed. Pour into a 8x8 pan lined with parchment paper. Let sit for 3 hours (or 1 in the fridge) before you take out of the pan.
Store wrapped tightly, and yes, this one needs to be kept reasonably cold due to the dairy.

Yes, I love fudge, so here is another one! I made this one two winters ago for a snowshoeing trip.
It isn't pretty, but is tasty!

Bear Scat Fudge:

It might be Cranberry Fudge, and it might be tasty, but pretty it is not.

1 package of semi sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup canned evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 6 oz package dried Craisins or dried cranberries

In a heavy medium sauce pan, over low heat, melt the chips and corn syrup, stirring, till melted. Watch this, and do not leave. Take off heat. Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Mix well, until smooth. Add in craisins and pour into your pan. Refrigerate for 8 hours, then cut. This fudge is flexible, and should be cut while cold.

Windowpane Fudge:

2 cups (12-oz. pkg.)semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups miniature marshmallows

Slowly melt the chips in a heavy saucepan with the milk. When melted, take off the heat and add in the vanilla. Then add in the marshmallows. Pack tightly into a 8x8 pan that is fully lined with parchment paper. Use a silicone spatula to pack it down tightly. Chill till solid (2 or so hours) then wrap in saran wrap tightly.

Why is it Window Pane? It looks like stained glass when you cut it. It works well with nuts added in if you like them also. If you like funky, use the colored marshmallows. Milk chocolate can be subbed.

It is a "lighter" fudge overall in texture and taste. It also is lighter to carry!

Edited by sarbar on 12/06/2006 23:52:07 MST.

My best friend used to make a fudge-like substance from peanut butter, sugar, powdered milk, and I'm not sure what else. He used to roll it into balls and eat them as a snack. The "Bear Scat Fudge" thing really reminded me of that. Things like that are always fun to pull out in a crowded shelter and start eating! ;)

I am really hooked on Craisins, I buy the wally world version now, much cheaper. My parents live in the middle of a huge area of wild blueberries, so I have lots of those dried raisin-like. Might be more "realistic" in the aforementioned simulated confectionery bear-leavings!

I have that recipe somewhere. Sounds identical to my Aunt's peanut butter balls. I can dig it up if you like.

face it - there are no new ideas when it comes to cooking - just reinventions of old ones

Aunt G's PB Balls (the recipe originated at my Grandmother's bakery)

1 cup of peanut butter
1 tablespoon of softened butter
1 cup of icing sugar
1 tablespoon of instant milk powder

Mix together and then add 1 cup of crispy cereal (I use Rice Krispies).
Roll into balls and enjoy.

If you are making these for consumption at home or for a gift then make a thin icing with icing sugar, water and instant milk powder. Dip the balls in the powder and roll in coconut. You can also skip the icing and dip them in melted chocolate.

Edit... forgot to mention... they taste even better if you let them sit for awhile... not that anyone here has been able to do that. Recipe also works well cut in half and without the powdered milk (I've skipped that when I didn't have any).

I also found a wicked chicken dish that incorporates PB if you want that.

Edited by Laurie_Ann on 12/07/2006 07:49:30 MST.

While I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm for copyright issues, we've moderated this thread and removed that unrelated discussion. The issue was quickly and properly resolved.

If you'd like to continue this discussion, it's proper place is in CHAFF.

This thread started about Fudge, is now again, all about Fudge, should continue to be about Fudge, and the Fudge theme should remain in perpetuity in this thread.

Edited by ryan on 12/07/2006 09:59:55 MST.

Fudge was a staple of food for my trek in the Arctic this summer.

The calorie / oz ratio is rather adjustable and optimizable without destroying palatability.

I used organic almond butter, ghee, Klim (dry whole milk), sunflower seeds, and brown sugar. I didn't measure anything, just sort of mixed it all up in a bowl. It was last minute calorie paranoia - I made it in a Kotzebue hotel the day before I left.

Boy, was it good :)

DrJ, in deciding how to purge this Thread of Posts that added no dietary value whatsoever and were in fact overly difficult to digest, is it true that, in determing which Posts to "flush", you employed your own "Fudge Factor"?


Ah...the aroma of freshly prepared fudge is once again wafting through this Thread. I'm startin' to get a hankerin' for some fudge.


-----
Copyright vs. USConstitution, hmmm...there's a poser. Just kidding you, as you could probably tell from some other recent Posts of mine on the USConstitution. Speaking of which...

You might want to do the same "flushing" with some Posts (including mine) in another Thread that some of us (me in particular) hijacked. I think that it was a Thread in the BPL Member's Only area. Many thanks for the fast and efficient Janitorial Service you performed (is Jan. Srv. in the fine print of your job description?).

Edited by pj on 12/07/2006 10:15:00 MST.

Sarah,

Thanks for sharing the fudge recipes with us. I am going to make a few of them this weekend.

I bought 20 of your books for a class that I am teaching to Boy Scout leaders. I know that your book will make a difference on the scouting program out here. I have used and enjoyed a number of your recipes this summer. It really makes a difference in ultra-light backpacking when all you have to do is boil water and no messy cleanup.

BTW the books arrived last week.