Happy New Year! Hope 2010 is off to a great start for all of you. I began the year by doing something I’ve never done before – running a 5k! In a moment of temporary insanity a few months ago, I agreed to run a race with Shane today. Shane’s an old pro, having completed several triathlons as well as a half-marathon last year, but I am not a runner so this was a huge challenge. I didn’t train as much as I should have and I didn’t do as well as I’d have liked, but I finished and, well, you’ve got to start somewhere, right? I’m not sure if or when I’ll do my next race, but it feels good to have started the year off on a positive note!
Back in November I made some terrific fudge and when it came time to put together some treats for my mailman over the holidays I wanted to include fudge, but I needed something that could be made more quickly. I decided to give the 15-minute fudge from Cook’s Illustrated a try as it was a recipe I’d had my eye on for a while. The recipe is super simple – chocolate is melted along with sweetened condensed milk (and a bit of baking soda, salt and vanilla), nuts are added and the mixture is transferred to a pan to set. If it were up to me, I’d have left the nuts out, but the recipe specifically says not to do that because the nuts are crucial to the texture. I did substitute peanuts for the walnuts, though, and also added about 1/2 cup of peanut butter chips.
So, how did it turn out? Well, it was well received by the mailman and disappeared quickly from the box of treats I sent to work with Shane so I think it was a hit! As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t really eat nuts so I only had a few small corners of the fudge that fell off when I was cutting it into squares but I enjoyed it. The texture was drier and much less creamy than the last recipe I tried, but that wasn’t a negative thing, just a difference. There’s a 15-minute peanut butter fudge variation I am dying to try so hopefully I’ll get to that one soon. If you’d like to try the chocolate walnut fudge, you can find the recipe here.
One more thing – there’s still plenty of time to enter my giveaway. You can find more information here. Hope you’ll join in the fun!
Lemon Bars
Glazed Grapefruit Cake
Orange Sherbet
Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
I love that you made goodies for your mailman, that is just wonderful! I made the creamy fudge you posted, but never got a chance to write about it. It was, however, an enormous hit. This looks like a great simple fudge, I’ll have to give it a shot, too!
Congrats on your first 5K, what a great way to start 2010! I’m sure Shane was happy you were able to participate in one of his hobbies with him.
The fudge looks yummy! I wish I’d gotten around to making some before the end of the holiday season; it’s harder to find excuses to make it now.
YOU DID IT! Congratulations…and we are all very proud of you. The fudge looks really fudgy for something that only tookk 15 minutes. Can you find a recipe for caramel fudge that only takes that long? You are certainly making lots of people happy with your cooking/baking/gifting!
Congrats on the 5K – I am in awe of people who can run more than 100 yards at a clip! The fudge looks delicious. You have a very lucky mailman. Mine gets a Dunkin Donuts gift card every year, but maybe he’d prefer some treats??
A 5K on New Years – that’s commitment – congratulations! I’ve never made fudge (heard it’s complicated) but 15 minutes sounds easy enough – and it looks like so delicious! Definitely worth trying!
Yay for Tracey. Finishing her first 5K. Way to go!!!
This fudge looks good. Later, and a few pounds from now, I will try this.
Congratulations on finishing your first 5K! As a runner myself I know it takes time and commitment. The fudge looks delicious!
Your fudge looks indeed terrific. Great job!
And congrats on your 5K 🙂
Congrats on finishing your 5K! I’m impressed.
This fudge looks beautiful, too! I’ll have to give it a try… I love quick and easy recipes.
Congrats on running the 5K! I give you credit – I can’t run in cold weather! I’m an avid runner, but once the temp gets below 40, my body shuts down!
That walnut fudge looks fantastic… what a perfect treat after your accomplishment!
Way to go! I’ve walked many 5Ks but never run one. Heck, I couldn’t run to the end of the block if I was chasing a burglar! This fudge looks good, almost brownie-like. Can’t wait to see the peanut butter version you’re considering!
I’ve really been curious about this one, but like you, I don’t like nuts in my fudge. I think the FC fudge is now my go-to recipe. (though I think I need to get a new hand mixer if I’m going to make it much)