Here are some fun fudge facts as well as recipes. In the late 17th century the word fudge meant “to fit together or adjust [clumsily].

Around 1800, the word was used to mean a hoax or cheat and by mid-century the use of the term “Oh, fudge!” as a kid-friendly expletive had come into favour and was often used when something had been messed up. While the Americans claim fudge as their own invention, some think it is an offshoot of a confectionary from Scotland called “tablet”, which is made with sugar, condensed milk and butter and was first noted in The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie in the early 18th century.

  The record for the largest slab of fudge in the world weighed over 2 600 kilograms and was crafted at the Northwest Fudge Factory in Ontario, Canada in 2010. It reportedly took a full week to make and, while the ingredients are not available for this record, the previous holder contained 320kg of butter, 1 270kg of chocolate and 1 155 litres of condensed milk. Mackinac Island, a tiny 9,8km² island in Michigan in the US, considers itself the fudge capital of the world with 14 fudge shops in the town dating back to 1887. Every August, the island hosts a Fudge Festival, complete with events like Fudge on the Rocks where local bartenders craft fudge cocktails. Festival-goers are referred to as “fudgies.” The island churns out over 4 535kgs of fudge daily during peak season and fudge makers ship in about 10 tons of sugar and 10 tons of butter each year to create and craft their products.

Quick & Easy Microwave Fudge ~ Chef Jaco Page, Capsicum Culinary Studio, Cape Town

Ingredients 1 tin condensed milk 400g sugar 120g butter 15ml vanilla essence

Method Grease a square dish with butter or Spray and Cook. In a large microwave bowl add condensed milk, sugar and butter and microwave for 2 minutes or until butter has melted. Stir to combine all the ingredients and microwave for another 2 minutes and stir quickly. Repeat 3 times or until golden brown. Stir in vanilla essence and pour into the prepared square dish. Wait until slightly cooled then cut into squares.

Chef’s notes: When adding the vanilla essence, you can also add other options such as Peppermint Crisp, Rolo, toasted nuts or peanut butter to make a more decadent fudge.