Mackinac Island Style Fudge

RéeLani's Note:

Ah Mackinac Island, a Michigan tourism paradise known for its horse-drawn carriages, lilacs, the Grand Hotel [scene of the movie "Somewhere In Time"] and, oh yes, fudge. Wander through the streets and about every 3rd or 4th shop you pass will be a fudge shop, and you'll usually be able to watch the freshly boiled up fudge being spread and cooled on a marble slab. It's strangely addicting watching this process, and if you hang around awhile you'll get a sample eventually. This recipe purports to be an authentic version, though no particular fudge shop was mentioned as owning the recipe. The initial recipe is for a vanilla fudge. Chocolate fudge and peanut butter fudge variations follow, so read through the entire recipe if you want to make either of those flavors.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 12 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 pound

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine the milk, butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and salt in a good sized heavy pan.
2. Cook at medium heat until boiling; then boil for exactly 6 minutes, stirring.
3. constantly.
4. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and confectioners’ sugar.
5. Beat with a mixer until smooth and thick, and then add nuts (if desired).
6. Pour into a buttered pan (perhaps 9" square) and freeze for 20 minutes.
7. Once the fudge is firmed up, cut it into pieces of whatever size you choose.
8. Peanut Butter Fudge:.
9. Reduce the butter to 1/4 cup and add 1/2 cup of peanut butter.
10. Chocolate Fudge.
11. Mix 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder with the confectioners sugar before stirring into fudge.

Reviews

[nocsinwhitesatin]

I wanted to make some good fudge for Valentines Day gifts this year and found this Mackinac Island fudge recipe. I lived in Michigan for 10 years and frequented Mackinaw Island and the fudge shops there in the summers while I lived there. I have now lived in California for 29 years and thought I had forgotten what Mackinac Island Fudge tasted like but thought I would give this recipe a try."OMG!", was my first thought after tasting it. I do believe it does taste like it and if it doesn't it is still sure to please any fudge lover. This is most definitely a 5 star recipe!

[Lucky Clover]

Very good fudge. I liked the soft, creamy texture, which is why I picked a Mackinac Island recipe. I made peanut butter this time because it's my husband's favorite, but I look forward to trying the chocolate next time! It couldn't eat more than a small piece, but peanut butter isn't my thing. He ate the entire pan in 2 days, so I figure that's indicative of a 5-star rating! Thanks!

[coffybean]

Deja Vu!!!! I have had the pleasure of visiting Mackinac Island when I was a teenager for my aunt's wedding. My family and I had the amazing fudge and bought some to take home. and it didn't make the trip back to Pittsburgh (too good to wait for).... Anyway when I saw this recipe I had to see if it was like I remembered and it is!! I made the chocolate variation and added pecans and drizzled caramel over the top YUM!!! just like the turtle fudge from the island. Thanks so much for this recipe!!!!