Penuche I

Description
Recipe is easily doubled and can be frozen.
 * Yield: 1 pound of fudge

Ingredients

 * 1 cup white sugar, granulated
 * 1 cup light brown sugar, firm pack
 * ½ cup heavy (whipping) cream
 * 3 tbsp molasses (This is to taste. The original recipe called for 4 tsp of molasses.)
 * 2 oz unsweetened chocolate
 * 4 tbsp butter
 * 1½ tsp vanilla
 * ½ cup chopped nuts, optional

Directions

 * 1) Pre-warm the thermometer in hot water; use a 2-quart saucepan; butter the upper sides (inside) of the saucepan; measure all ingredients except the vanilla and optionals, and dump into the saucepan.
 * 2) Grease and if necessary, line a 5 x 10-inch pan.
 * 3) Fill glass with ice cubes and water and the sink with ½ inch of cold water.
 * 4) Dissolve the sugar, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, over low heat until the butter melts, the gritty sounds cease, and the spoon glides smoothly over the bottom of the pan.
 * 5) Increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil.
 * 6) Boil, after washing down any crystals that may have formed, with a pastry brush dipped in hot water from the thermometer bath, using as little water as possible.
 * 7) Introduce the pre-warmed thermometer.
 * 8) Reduce the heat while keeping the fudge at a boil.
 * 9) Stir no more than necessary.
 * 10) Test the fudge mixture in the ice-cold water when the mixture thickens and bubbles become noisy.
 * 11) Ball, formed in ice water, should hold its shape until the heat from your had begins to flatten it and should be al dente -- slightly chewy -- between 230°F and 240°F.
 * 12) Because of the molasses and brown sugar, it can ball at a lower temperature than some other fudges.
 * 13) Shock by placing the saucepan in the cold water in the sink.
 * 14) Seed by adding, without stirring, the vanilla.
 * 15) Then allow to cool.
 * 16) Stir when luke warm and "skin" forms on the top (110°F).
 * 17) Return the thermometer to its hot water bath to soak clean.
 * 18) Stir the fudge thoroughly but not vigorously by hand, with an electric mixer, or with a food processor.
 * 19) Pause frequently to allow the fudge to react.
 * 20) Watch for the fudge to thicken, lose its sheen, and become lighter in color or streaked with lighter shade, give off some heat, suddenly stiffen.
 * 21) If mixing by had, the fudge will "snap" with each stroke; by mixer, mixer waves will become very distinct, by food processor, fudge will flow sluggishly back to the center when the processor is stopped.
 * 22) Add the optionals (½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts (filberts)) before the fudge totally candies.
 * 23) Pour, score, and store when cool in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Variations

 * Honey brown sugar fudge: in step 1, eliminate the unsweetened chocolate and replace the molasses with ¼ cup of honey. The honey causes the fudge to ball at a higher temperature.
 * Chocolate honey brown sugar fudge: in step 1, replace the heavy cream with light cream or evaporated milk and replace the molasses with ¼ cup of honey.
 * Orange brown sugar fudge: in step 1, eliminate molasses, chocolate but add 1 tbsp corn syrup. In step 14, add 1 tsp grated orange zest, plus if you can get it, 1 tsp of pure orange extract.
 * Peanut butter brown sugar fudge: in step 1, eliminate the molasses and chocolate, replace the heavy cream with ¼ cup of milk and ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter. To intensify the peanut butter flavor, add ⅓ of a cup of salted peanuts in step 6.
 * Praline brown sugar fudge: in step 1, eliminating the molasses is optional -- you'll get a more southern praline with it, a milder one without it--or compromise and use only 1 tsp. Eliminate the chocolate. In step 6, when the mixture begins to thicken, add 1½ cups of pecan halves slowly so as not to break the boil or cool the mixture too quickly.