I am very picky about fudge. I want it to be creamy, but hold its shape well, I want the ingredients fresh, real, and meltingly delicious.
I prefer homemade to commercial fudge, anytime.
We came a cross a recipe that has the magic ingredient of turning out well every time. Some people don’t care for fudge that isn’t chocolate, but this peanut butter variety has a chocolate topcoat that provides just enough to make it extra delicious.
I invite you you try this recipe for peanut butter fudge and see if doesn’t draw raves from all your holiday guests, and from your family all through the year.
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
This smooth , golden peanut butter fudge is topped with melted chocolate, borrowing from your favorite chocolate-peanut butter candy. It's all the better because there is much more of the peanut butter flavor and the chocolate is extra rich.
Pour over confectioner sugar, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt in a bowl.
Mix well. Pour into pan.
Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler until there are no lumps and spread over fudge.
Refrigerate until hard (about 45 minutes).
Tip: Do not let the chocolate get too hard or it will crack when you cut it. Score it when halfway hardened.
Notes
I like to use natural peanut butter that doesn't have any hydrogenated fats.*Confectioners sugar is the same as "powdered sugar" or (as the English call it) "icing sugar".
Double boilers are a must when melting chocolate.
The double boiler keeps delicate ingredients from burning. For chocolate this is imperative, since even a hint of burning ruins the texture and flavor of chocolate.
Berard 22574 French Olive-Wood Handcrafted Cook’s Spoon, 12 Inch
I have olive wood cooking spoons and they are the best! Makes cooking a real pleasure. I started using them about seven years ago. The wood is finely grained and smooth, a wonderful contrast to many of the wooden spoons I was used to, previously. They would get rough and their texture would hold onto the cooking ingredients instead of slipping off.
For stirring the fudge, this type of utensil works like a dream.
Wacky holidays abound, but this October Saturday is a chance to show someone your appreciation. Something between a Thanksgiving day for individual and Valentine’s day for special people.
Third Saturday In October is Sweetest Day
For those who don’t have enough special occasions to commemorate, one of the more obscure Holidays is the one that celebrates “the sweetest day of the year”.
It deserves to be better known and observed since it is the day set aside to simply show your appreciation for the unsung heroes of your life. We could use more of that! Those people who are special to you might have another holiday, like “Mother’s Day” or “Valentine’s Day”, but this one is the 3rd Saturday in the month of October to…
honor sweethearts, close friends, relatives or employees with special gift of something sweet.
You can simply tell them how important they are no other reason than that you appreciate them on this day.
What is the story behind this celebration?
Have You Heard Of This Holiday?
Sweetest Day
Always observed on the third Saturday in October.
Something Sugary
Whose idea was it, anyway?
Primarily celebrated in the Great Lakes region and in the Northeast, not surprising since it was the brainchild of Cleveland, Ohio philanthropist Herbert Birch Kingston. Working for a candy company, he came up with an idea to sweeten the lives of of orphans and other people who were overlooked or forgotten.
Some actresses of the time were encouraged to take up the banner and the idea caught on.
Some skeptics say that a group of candymakers thought the whole thing up. However it may be, It is an opportunity to do something sweet for someone who you believe deserves it.
Ohio-ans Love To Celebrate This Holiday
Ohio is the top state for Sweetest Day sales, but other states also have a showing, including Michigan and Illinois. Texas, California and Florida.
Due to the association of affection, candy, and flowers, it has also become a romantic holiday to remember ones “Sweet Heart”. Like a second Valentine’s Day… so you get another chance to give someone the message that you love them. It originally was simply a day of appreciation for the persons of your choosing. Think of it as sort of a “random kindness” day.
An Appreciative Message
Super cute idea to use: Get a matchbox, paint it and print your message on top with markers. Fill the inside with a miniature diorama that reminds you of them. Or just their favorite jelly beans!
Students Explain It All for You
Why Celebrate Another Holiday?
Isn’t this one very similar to Valentine’s Day, when romance reins supreme?
Actually the beauty of this holiday might be in the fact that it isn’t about romancing the woman of your dreams. It could be a whole lot more about a man who is especially sweet.
It could be about that extra nice neighbor who does favors for you, and always has a smile and a wave.
We don’t have to make all gift giving about a romantic relationship, and that isn’t what the idea was for this one.
Have An Hour For Learning about the Science of Sweetest Day?
Fresh, Delicious Chocolate
See’s Candies 1 lb. Chocolate & Variety Have you ever tasted this confection? See’s brand is widely available and tastes wonderful. Freshly made with quality ingredients.
My first taste was during Christmas season at one of their booths in a mall, but you can order them anytime online.
Should I Buy Something?
Ideas for Sweetest Day Gifts
You get to buy something, because you appreciate someone.
You could give the object of your appreciation and gratefulness a box of chocolates, or a special cupcake, or you could make something yourself.
That is the beauty of something sweet- it doesn’t have to come tied with a bow, you can bake, make, or send anything that you believe will make their day “sweeter”.
I do think a card is nice, and it costs very little in cost or time.
Sprinkles, Cupcakes, and Pink, Oh My!
Without The Calories
The trouble with some of these holidays is the way they wreck havoc with the diet, but substituting something you wear for something you eat may be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Don’t worry about the calories for these cupcakes, candies, and sweets, they are beautiful little reminders of how sweet you think your Sweetie really is, in clever jewelry designs just right for a gift on this holiday.
CHOOSE JEWELRY
It isn’t hard to celebrate this day without ruining your diet. Let’s forget that the whole idea of this holiday was to get people to eat more candy. Instead, make it something unexpected and memorable with a pretty necklace or a pair of earrings in a fun theme of bakery goodies or their favorite fall sugary delight.
What makes this holiday special?
It’s a day to make others feel special.
Customize a Card
Sweetest Day Cards from Zazzle
Just for Today
Here is one of the creative cards that can be found on Zazzle. Or you could design your own for a really unique card that has high quality paper and printing.
Too late for this year? Consider making one, anyway, you can always send it next year.
What about appropriate quotes for your cards?
Say something sweet inside
Quotations for the day, add them to your custom card.
The best portion of a good man’s life – his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. ~William Wordsworth
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo Buscaglia
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again. ~William Penn How beautiful a day can be When kindness touches it!
~George Elliston Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own.
~Adam Lindsay Gordon A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. Gratitude is the memory of the heart. ~Jean Baptiste Massieu
Praise the bridge that carried you over. ~George ColmanCourtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart. ~Henry Clay
One of my Favs, too
Signature Collection Chocolate Liqueurs – 165g These are hard to find! This would be my mother’s idea of the sweetest gift ever. She delighted in that little taste of liqueur inside a chocolate.
A variety of liqueur flavors.
Some Gift Ideas
If you decide to single out one person to show your appreciation to, think about their interests or something that would make their job more enjoyable. If they have helped you through their expertise you can get something as simple as an electric pencil sharpener, or something as extravagant as a leather computer bag. Or something in between!
For her:
Truffles to die for.
For him:
A cool computer bag or phone accessories Or vice-versa
For the Gardener:
Seeds, hand lotion – Especially in “Sweet Pea”
For a Birder:
A special treat for their birds, “bird egg” chocolates
My family also uses Amazon Prime often, which saves us money on shipping and more.
Please support my site by using my links, thank you. This Page may contain affiliate links. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases”
Super cute idea to use: Get a matchbox, paint it and print your message on top with markers. Fill the inside with a miniature diorama that reminds you of them. Or just their favorite jelly beans!
