Carnation Famous Fudge

This is a classic, delicious, creamy and very simple fudge. It sets up beautifully, and is not too soft--it ages to crunchy yet melt-in-your-mouth perfection. You can substitute butterscotch, milk chocolate, peanut butter, or mint chips. Several years ago I bought a Carnation fudge "kit" at Costco, complete with all the necessary ingredients and little paper fudge pans for gift-giving. If you don't want to buy a kit somewhere, or would rather make a whole bunch, you can just use this recipe.

This year I made a double batch, and just used a whole 12-ounce can of evaporated milk. Carnation brand, of course. I also used a bunch of chopped walnuts, not just 1 cup. I didn't measure, but it was probably closer to 2 cups. (Number One loves walnuts)

The recipe exists in myriad incarnations all over the internet, but this is from the official Carnation/Nestle Brand website. (that explains the brand-name dropping below that I usually try to avoid)

Note: it is essential to measure out all of your ingredients ahead of time, because you will be standing at the stove top stirring the whole time. I put the marshmallows, chocolate chips, nuts and vanilla into a bowl so I could just dump it all in together when it was time.

{picture in the morning when we slice it up!}

Carnation Famous Fudge

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 48 pieces
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups (9 oz.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.

COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

STIR in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.

FOR MILK CHOCOLATE FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels.

FOR BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Butterscotch Flavored Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels.

FOR PEANUTTY CHOCOLATE FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts for pecans or walnuts.

FOR MINT CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Substitute 1 1/2 cups mint-chocolate chips for semisweet chips.