The Easiest, Richest, Never-Fail, Five Minute Fudge

Quite often when I was growing up my family would sit around the kitchen table on Saturday evening and play a board game.  One of my favourites was Rummoli (which I’ve since discovered originated in Canada – just a bit of trivia for those enquiring minds who want to know).

To play Rummoli you need a deck of cards, the Rummoli board, and some plastic playing “chips”.  I still have our original board; yellowed and held together on the back with black electrical tape, but original none-the-less.

I was generally pretty good at the game but sadly not a gracious winner.  One particular fateful evening stands out in my mind...

I’ve just won the entire game; I’m standing in front of my chair at the end of the table.  I’m taking great pride in my victory; gloating and lording it over my older sister.

It’s not a good idea to tick off your older sister.  With one push she sends me (in mid-gloat), and the chair behind me, careening backwards through the glass doors of our china cabinet.  There's a very large crash...then dead silence.

Things are a little fuzzy after that.  They say you tend to blank out traumatic events.  I don’t think Mom and Dad were all smiles about the incident. 

In my sister’s defense...I was taking great glee in throwing my victory in her face and I probably needed a reality check.  (And by the way today we are best of friends and I love her dearly.)

But I digress...back to the fudge...

It was tradition that the loser of the Saturday night game had to make fudge.  This easy five minute recipe was generally the one of choice.  It didn't take long to make, cooled quickly (so you could indulge before bed), and never failed.

I can’t remember if we ever got fudge the evening of the china cabinet incident.  I do still have the china cabinet though...complete with new glass doors.   :)

Share your family “incidents” or traditions by clicking on “comments” below.

The Easiest, Richest, Never-Fail Five Minute Fudge

2 tbsp. butter

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 2/3 cups white sugar

½ tsp. salt

2 cups mini-marshmallows

1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tsp. vanilla

½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Butter an 8” x 8” pan.  Mix butter, milk, sugar, and salt in a pot.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cook for five minutes.  Make sure you stir this constantly or it will burn to the bottom.  Remove from heat and stir in marshmallows, chocolate chips, vanilla, and nuts.  Stir until chocolate and marshmallows are melted.  Pour into buttered pan, cool, then cut into squares.