Yesterday I spent the morning making fudge with a dear friend…it’s become our holiday tradition. We use a recipe of her mother’s that is absolutely fabulous. My friend has given me permission to share the recipe, and I do believe that if you put in the effort to make this fudge, it will be the best you’ve ever tasted.

So here’s the recipe…

Chocolate Vanilla Rolled Fudge

Step 1: Lay out a sheet of foil about the size of a cookie sheet. Chop 1 1/2 cups of nuts (I like pecans, my friend prefers walnuts) into quite small pieces. Spread them on a the foil in a long rectangle about seven by twelve inches.

Step 2: Combine 3 cups white sugar, 1 cup whipping cream and 1/2 cup corn syrup in a large pot. Stir, then cook to the soft ball stage (about 240 degrees on a candy thermometer). Remove from heat and add about 3 tablespoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Step 3: Melt 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate in a large glass bowl. Add 1/2 of the heated sugar mixture to the chocolate and beat with a large spoon until it loses gloss and begins to thicken (about 5 minutes). Pour evenly over the prepared nuts, and spread until the nuts are covered.

Step 4: Return your attention to the pot of white fudge. Beat this by hand until it also loses its gloss and begins to thicken. (about five minutes). Pour down the center of the chocolate rectangle. This will be the vanilla center of your log.

Step 5: Sliding your hands under the foil, roll the fudge into a long log, so that the chocolate lines up and the vanilla is in the middle. Try to match the chocolate ends together, without letting any of the vanilla seep through. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect…it will still taste great!

Step 6: chill for several hours before slicing. This stays well for several weeks, if you keep it wrapped in the foil in the fridge. For serving, slice it thinly…this looks as beautiful a it tastes and would make a wonderful gift!

My fudge turned out less than perfect this year. Too much talking, perhaps? The center should be all creamy vanilla, without that line of chocolate. Also, the log is a little flat. But, hey, it still tastes great!