How to Have a Frugal Christmas - Fudge

One of my favorite gifts to give is homemade fudge. It is cheap, easy, and always welcomed. In fact, I am already being asked when this years batch is coming.

I use a recipe my mom got from an old Church Cookbook, back in the 70's. After some trial and error, I have decided to divide the recipe in half. Two pounds of fudge is a lot for one family, and I can find 1lb tins easier than 2lb. I start stocking up when baking supplies go on sale in October, and can make each batch of fudge for less than $3. Each batch makes two gifts, so even adding in $1 each for the tins, I am still only spending $2.50 per gift. Less than picking something up at Wal-Mart!

I have always packaged this in Dollar Store or thrift store tins, but this year I am going to try Meredith's idea of using a wicker paper plate holder. I have a vintage Tupperware jello mold that I think will look like a wreath. (If not, I will just use my round 8" cake pans.) I will put the fudge on a red or green paper plate and wrap with clear plastic wrap and a Christmas ribbon.

Another idea is to make "fudge bites." Just drop about a tablespoon of the fudge into bonbon cups.

Five-Minute Fudge
1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate morsels
1 (12-ounce) bag butterscotch morsels (I have used other flavors here successfully)
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional:
1 cup nuts of your choice
1/2 cup dried fruit of choice

Lightly spray tin or mold. Set aside.

Place a heavy pot on the stove and preheat it over low heat. Add chips and milk and stir until chips are melted and milk is combined. Stir in vanilla and remove fudge from heat. Add any nuts and dried fruit and stir in immediately.

Pour in to tin or mold. The fudge will set up almost immediately. Chill covered in the refrigerator and slice fudge very thin to serve.


Yield: 32 servings (2 pounds)


(Photos courtesy of flickr)

Check out more great ideas at How to Have a Frugal Christmas