Dec 20 2007
Box of Chocolates
My Mother, detecting my sadness as Christmas minus Dale approaches, asked me if there was anything she could do. “Yes,” I said, “send some chocolates.” There are certain candies that are a unique part of every family’s Christmas. We grew up recieving the yearly paper sack filled with an apple, orange, peanuts, and hard candy. Most years, we shared a box of delicious Cane Lakes Sponge Candy. Each year I most looked forward to a gift from Jean Demos, a friend of my parents who worked for Fannie May candy in Chicago. She would send us a box of chocolates. I’ve been to Switzerland and Belgium and eaten at a fancy chocolate shop in Melbourne, but there is something about a box of Fannie May that always makes me smile. While my Mom was here for Thanksgiving, I was in the grocery store trying to decide between a box of chocolate from Russell Stovers or Whitmans. My Mom said to get the Russell Stovers. I replied that she had always bought Whitmans. She said that was my Father’s favorite not hers. Her Mother had always eaten Russell Stovers and she liked it better. It’s only taken her 65 years to admit it. When the box of Fannie May chocolates arrived, Zeke helped me open it and then ran through the house yelling, “Everyone! Chocolates!” There was a thunder of feet behind him. Zeke grabbed the white chocolate covered truffle and liked it so much, he went to take the other. Gabe happily ate the lemon filled chocoate and Abby, Josiah, and I divided out the caramels. Dale wasn’t here, so I ate his milk chocolate covered caramel for him. The traditional Manry candy is Peanut Butter Fudge and I am quite certain that is what my husband is missing most. His Mama used to pour out the Peanut Butter Fudge on to two buttered plates, one for the kids and one for Dale’s Daddy. After Dale joined the Army, he came home on leave and discovered that he was now given the honor of a plate of Peanut Butter Fudge to himself. Boy did Tommy John complain about that injustice. Now that we are married, our kids combine his love of peanut butter and my love of chocolate every time they eat their pancakes. Genetics is funny that way.
Can I have your peanut butter fudge recipe??? Love, Meg
Peanut Butter Fudge:
3 c sugar
1 1/2 c evaporated milk
1 t vanilla
1 T butter
1 28oz jar Peter Pan or Jiff peanut butter
Bring sugar and milk to a boil in a thick bottomed pot and then simmer until soft ball stage. Stir frequently to constantly with a wooden spoon so it won’t burn. Pay attention, it likes to boil over. Dip a teaspoon in the pot when the mixture turns caramel in color and drip mixture into a cup of very cold water. When mixture balls up and does not scatter, you have reached soft ball stage. Some people actually use a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Add vanilla, butter, and all but an 1/8th - 1/4th of the jar of peanut butter. Stir until it begins to stiffen or your arm gets tired. Pour into buttered 9×13 or onto 2 buttered plates. Place in refrigerator until set. Keep in fridge when not being eaten.
I remember peanut butter fudge… vaguely.
It seems you remember your PT shorts as vaguely as you remember Peanut Butter Fudge.
The Peanut Butter Fudge is in the fridge, by the way. Wish you were here to eat it.