Chocolate, vanilla, maple...from its basic beginnings, there are now dozens of flavors of fudge. Photo © Belle Media | Dreamstime.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | KAREN HOCHMAN is Editorial Director of THE NIBBLE. | June 2007
Last Updated June 2016 | | The Origin Of Fudge Oh, Fudge! That’s How The History Of Fudge Began CAPSULE REPORT: While many of our favorite sweets have ancient origins—ice cream, in the form of fruit ice, dates back 5,000 years—fudge is a relatively recent invention, probably dating to the late 1880s. And, it’s an American original! It may look like a simple confection, but, as anyone who has tried to make fudge from the original recipe of chocolate, cream, butter and sugar knows, it’s tricky (hence so many “foolproof” recipes with marshmallow creme, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, etc.) Here, the short history of fudge.
Fudge History
Fudge is a drier version of fondant,* made by boiling sugar in milk to the soft-ball stage and then beating the mixture while it cools so that it acquires a smooth, creamy texture. Fudge is an American invention: Some food historians peg the date to February 14, 1886, but the exact origin and inventor are disputed. Most stories claim that the first batch of fudge resulted from an accident with a bungled (“fudged”) batch of caramels, when the sugar was allowed to recrystallize; hence the name from the interjection, “Oh fudge!” *An icing made of sugar syrup and glucose, or sugar, water and cream of tartar, cooked to the soft-ball stage and then kneaded to a smooth, soft paste. The paste can be colored or flavored and used as a center for chocolates or as an icing for cakes—it is especially popular as a covering for wedding cakes—and petit fours. One of the first documentations of fudge is in a letter written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, then a student at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She wrote that a schoolmate’s cousin made fudge in Baltimore in 1886 and sold it for 40 cents a pound. She obtained the recipe, and in 1888, made 30 pounds of it for the Vassar Senior Auction. Word of the confection spread to other women’s colleges. Wellesley and Smith developed their own versions of this “original” fudge recipe. All three recipes follow on Page 2. The original fudge recipes were famously delicate: Precise measurements, cooking time and constant stirring were crucial for perfect fudge. The recipe looks simple—heat a mixture of sugar, butter and milk or cream to the soft-ball stage (224°-238°F), then beat it to a smooth, creamy consistency while it cools. But it is easy to undercook or overcook a batch (not every home cook had—or has—a candy thermometer) and to end up with “crystallized” fudge through insufficient stirring. As a result, “foolproof” recipes were developed for the home cook that included corn syrup, which prevents crystallization and produces smooth fudge. Later recipes substituted sweetened condensed milk, marshmallow creme, or other ingredients for the milk/cream that were better guarantees of a perfect fudge texture. Of course, they didn’t guarantee the same creamy taste as the original recipe, which is provided on Page 2. If you want the best-tasting fudge, forget the sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and marshmallow cream and go for the original ingredients. Continue To Page 2: The Original Fudge Recipes Go To The Article Index Above
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FAQs
One of the first documentations of fudge is in a letter written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, then a student at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She wrote that a schoolmate's cousin made fudge in Baltimore in 1886 and sold it for 40 cents a pound.
What are the origins of fudge? ›
Fudge creation is often attributed to a happy accident in a confectionery experiment. The story goes that a batch of caramels went awry — “fudged,” in the parlance of the time — leading to the birth of this new sweet treat. This error resulted in the soft, creamy confection we now know as fudge.
What do Americans call fudge? ›
fudge in American English
1. a soft candy made of butter, milk, sugar, and chocolate or other flavoring, etc.
Was fudge invented in Scotland? ›
While fudge was created in America, we feel pretty confident that with the finest Scottish ingredients, Gardiners Fudge is truly one of the best in the world.
Why do they call fudge fudge? ›
The story goes, a baker was trying to make chocolate caramels. However, they didn't get the recipe quite right. When the candy came out as the creamy treat we know today, they said, “Oh, fudge!” and that's how the candy got its name. The first recorded mention of fudge came from 1888.
What is the slang word fudge mean? ›
When fudge is a verb, it means to avoid straightforwardly answering a question or addressing a subject: "Just answer my question and don't fudge the issue!" Fudge is an American word from college slang meaning "a made-up story."
What state is famous for fudge? ›
On Michigan's world-renowned Mackinac Island, the sweet aroma of fudge wafts out onto the street from four unique Ryba's Fudge Shops.
What is fudge called in Scotland? ›
Some people will try to tell you that tablet is a form of fudge. However, proper tablet aficionados (and we have been doing a lot of sampling) will tell you that there is a clear difference in texture between tablet and fudge. Fudge tends to be softer, while tablet has a grainier and more brittle texture.
What is fudging slang for? ›
Meaning of fudging in English
to avoid making a decision or giving a clear answer about something: fudge the issue The government continues to fudge the issue by refusing to give exact figures. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Avoiding action. abrogate.
What is the bad word for fudge? ›
Minced oaths are commonly formed by alteration of a curse word. It often alters the ending of the word, such as "darn" for "damn", or "fudge" for "f*ck".
Whether you visit Mackinac Island on National Fudge Day in June or any other day – maybe during the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August – come find your favorite flavor and experience the fudge capital of the world!
Where is the fudge capital of the world? ›
Mackinac Island, between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, is the self-proclaimed "Fudge Capital of America." The car-free oasis has more than a dozen fudge shops. During the summer, fudge-loving tourists (affectionately called "fudgies") flood the island.
Why is fudge a Michigan thing? ›
By most accounts, the first batch of fudge was concocted in Baltimore in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, fudge-making arrived on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan, which today has a legitimate claim as the modern day fudge capital.
Is fudge an American thing? ›
Some people mistakenly believe that fudge is a British invention. There are versions of fudge in the Midlands region of England as well as in Scotland. However, even the most well-known fudge maker in Britain likes to set the record straight by clarifying that fudge is a uniquely American invention!
Who made the first fudge? ›
One of the first documentations of fudge is in a letter written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, then a student at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She wrote that a schoolmate's cousin made fudge in Baltimore in 1886 and sold it for 40 cents a pound.
Is Cadbury fudge actually fudge? ›
Each Cadbury Fudge is a delicious little bar of soft fudge wrapped in smooth Cadbury milk chocolate. A nostalgic chocolate that can be enjoyed all year round. The sweet and soft fudge filling accompanied by the rich and delicious chocolate make for a delightful combination.
Where does the name fudge come from? ›
English (of Norman origin): from the Middle English, Anglo-Norman French personal name Fulch or Fuche, usually a pet form of Old French Fulcher, Fucher (see Fulcher ). Voicing of 'ch' to soft 'g' gave rise to Fudge.
Was fudge made by mistake? ›
That appetite for fudge dates back more than a century. Food historian Joyce White says fudge is based on a recipe for chocolate caramels, which was very similar. "What probably happened is that there was someone in Baltimore, messed it up, or 'fadged' it," she said. "Fadge is a word that means you messed up.
Where did the fudge cookie originate? ›
The Fudge Fancy cookie has been around for over 40 years, with the earliest version being created and sold at Golden Krust Bakeries, however Carl "Buster" and Debbie Alberino are credited with creating the popular Capital Region variation that we know and love.
