The Little Yellow Box: Favourite Recipe #4 - Carnation 5-minute Fudge... by Barbara (Ruth)

If you've been reading for a while, you may remember that many moons ago when I was much better at posting regularly (sigh), I committed to making a few favourite childhood recipes from my Mum's little yellow recipe box.  I've posted about Wacky Cake, Baking Powder Biscuits, and Sweet and Sour Meatballs. I have really enjoyed my trip down memory lane, and wish the last couple of months hadn't been so hectic so I could have done a few more!


Anyway, tonight was a perfect night to make fudge. I had a bit of a weird day at work, and I needed to de-stress - that usually means baking (and making happy co-workers the next day)! This is a recipe I fondly remember making when I was a kid. Don't believe me? I have proof:

This is probably 1969 or 1970. I'm making this fudge recipe with my
sister Janet. I figure Mum had us do this to make me feel better. (With the
dark under-eye circles, it looks like I had been sick!)

Honestly this is one of the easiest recipes in the world. You can make several variations by adding nuts, coconut, dried fruit, or peppermint/almond/orange extract (or any combination of those options!). Tonight I made a plain recipe and sprinkled smashed candy cane pieces on top to be festive. Just make sure you have Carnation Evaporated Milk, chocolate chips, and some marshmallows on hand, and then be creative!

Step 1: Combine 2/3C evaporated milk, 1 2/3C white sugar, and 2 T butter in a medium saucepan. Heat to a rolling boil, and cook for 5 minutes (hence the name of the recipe) stirring constantly.

This stage is mesmerizing. You have to stir all the time while
the sugar forms, and it smells wonderful, like you're in a
candy factory.

Step 2: Stir in 2C mini marshmallows (I only had giant ones, so I snipped them with scissors in order to get a proper measure), 1 1/2C chocolate chips, and 1 tsp vanilla into the hot liquid until it is well mixed. (You would add nuts or any other items at this point if you wanted to.) It gets tough to stir pretty quickly, so use that elbow grease!

Step 3: Pour into a greased 9" square pan (I just sprayed it with Pam), and spread quickly before it sets. Sprinkle any toppings on, and place in the fridge to set!

Cut into 1" cubes and enjoy.