Rant: I have thrown out twice as muc effing fudge than I have finished:(

[hang a left]

Everything I have touched today has turned to shit. I make candy and cookie boxes for about 20 people every year. Teachers, neighbors, friends, and so on. It is so much work. I started yesterday. First I screwed up my peanut butter fudge, it is in the trash. Then I made the absolute worst tasting pumpkin fudge because I used cheap white chocolate...it is in the trash. Then I was talking on the phone while I was measuring my sugar for my coconut fudge and put 3 cups instead of 4 and now it is not going to set. I am about ready to commit hari kari, or whatever you call it when you are homicidal and suicidal at the same time. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I just had to rant and rave. I still don't feel better, SHIT!!!

[Redstone]

1. They sell candy and cookies at the store.

Just an option.

Redstone

[hang a left]

15. I know...and it is easier and cheaper too.

But I like to give something that I made. Just one of my quirks.

[mopinko]

2. beat in some powdered sugar

that will stiffen a soft fudge, although 25% short is a stretch. it took me years to get good at fudge, cuz i only make it once a year.
i did a big cookie thing every year for a long time. but i have come to my senses. nobody treated them like gifts, they were just, you know, woman's work. not anything you ought to acknowledge, let alone reciprocate. a gazillion hours, beautiful presentations, and did i ever get a 6 pack? no.

[hang a left]

7. I know what you mean....

Most people I give it to really do love it though. But Christmas cards, shoot, I sent out 40 of them over a week ago. I have gotten 2. I hate that. I always remember everyone at Christmas.

[Qanisqineq]

16. at least I am not the only one

I sent out a bunch of cards and I received one. Last year, I think I got 3 total. I haven't received a gift or card from anyone on my husband's side of the family in 3 years. That sounds materialistic but his parents, sister, grandparents, and even a couple aunts give my husband something every year. I send them a card and at least a small present with nothing in return. And they know it isn't coming from him -- we've been separated (geographically due to military) for most of the 5 years we've been married.

I should just give up! :P

[mopinko]

20. women are invisible, we really are.

the worst part was that my hubby used to give them to his people at work. and i had a hard time convincing HIM that the occasional bottle of wine that HE got should really get passed on to me. fortunately, we have a much better relationship now. but oy.
we should all give up. sometimes the only way to measure something is by seeing what size hole is left behind when it is gone.

[Qanisqineq]

22. oh, you are so right

Absolutely correct. I grew up in a family (my immediate family and both my mom and dad's side of the family) that firmly believed and instilled in us that girls/women are just as capable and intelligent as boys/men. All 6 of my female cousins and my 2 sisters went to/are in college, and some went on to medical school, law school, or grad school. My husband's family, on the other hand, believes women can go to college but it isn't important because once they get married they should stay behind and have babies. I am nothing because we have no children. The only thing they ever talk to me about is when am I going to give them grandchildren? I feel like a dog they bought for breeding purposes or something and it makes me not want to have kids at all. When I met and married my husband, I was in grad school and they couldn't understand why I didn't drop out and move to the military base he was stationed at and start popping out babies.

My husband does NOT believe in that school of thought. He works with a few people that view women as unimportant or even property. It's the military and for the most part it is the older NCO's and officers that act that way.

It is so aggravating I could scream!

[LeftyMom]

3. Add 2 teaspons of milk,

and the missing sugar and heat it to soft ball stage again, it should firm up this time.

[hang a left]

5. Really????

Will that work? I already have the coconut and marshmallow creme in it. I will wait for your response.

[LeftyMom]

9. I don't know, it works for traditional fudge

With the marshmallow cream it may not (I never made any that way,) but I'd try it because I hate wasting and it'd only take ten minutes at most to heat it back up. If traditional fudge doesn't thin you can always thin it out a bit and can it as fudge sauce for desserts.

All this thinking about fudge makes me hungry. :opens up vegweb in a new window, starts browsing for vegan fudge, finds a recipie and starts a composing grocery list:

[FuzzySlippers]

4. This microwave recipe is fool-proof.

http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/detail.aspx?ID=18459

Making fudge on top of the stove is a good way to make a durable building material.

[hang a left]

6. Thank you Fuzzy......

you are very nice.

[radwriter0555]

8. relax, focus, pay attention, buy good ingredients and ENJOY it. If you

aren't enjoying yourself, you won't do a good job.

Have a glass of wine, sit down and make a plan.

It will ALL BE FINE!

Big hugs.

[hang a left]

12. kay..

thanks

[lildreamer316]

10. You know; I was just about to ask how best to make fudge.

Guess I should ask you....really. 'Cause I've never made it before. I'm sure you know what you are doing. Got any good basic chocolate fudge recipes?

[hang a left]

13. Really the best fudge recipe in the world is Fantasy Fudge

and all of the variations. Fantasy fudge is made with marshmallow cream and is a foolproof way to not have your sugar crystallize and have grainy fudge.
You can modify it to make peanut butter, coconut, maple, white chocolate, really any kind of fudge you want. The basic recipe is;

FANTASY FUDGE

3 cups sugar
¾ cup real butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
12 oz. Chocolate chips
7 oz. Jar marshmallow cream
1 cup chopped nuts-optional
1 tsp vanilla

Bring sugar, butter and milk to a rolling boil for 5 minutes (234 degrees on a candy thermometer), stirring constantly. (Just as an aside...invest 5 dollars on a candy thermometer and you won't go wrong.)

Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients until chips are melted and fudge is smooth. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan, let cool to room temperature and cut into slices.

Good luck. Let me know how you do.

[lildreamer316]

24. OOOH! Thanks so much!!

I just need to get to the store for one ingredient and it is ON!! I will report...

[lildreamer316]

11. Hey! Here's a microwave white chocolate/cream cheese one..

http://southernfood.about.com/od/fudgerecipes/r/bl30321l.htm

[hang a left]

14. Thanks...eom

[amitten]

17. Perhaps...you should...stop making fudge?

Maybe you're better at cookies or something?

[mykpart]

18. As a diabetic, I think this thread is just mean!

[barb162]

19. I can understand why you're angry; a waste of time and money

and I have done the same; I think we all have, including Julia Child. Don't get down on yourself anymore!

[tigereye]

21. huh, odd how holiday baking can become aggravating -

one year I did one of those everyone make 12 dozen cookies things, and I was about ready to commit hiri-kiri after the like, 10th batch. I haven't done that since. Now I make nut breads instead.

I guess just remember it's suppposed to be fun.

[Shell Beau]

23. I bet even the trash kind tastes pretty damn good!

Sounds like you need a break and a :hug: