Rich and Creamy: New England Style Penuche Fudge Recipe with a Twist

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Penuche fudge is a beloved treat, especially known in the New England area, where its caramel-like richness and melt-in-your-mouth texture have made it a favorite for generations. Originating with Portuguese whalers and gaining popularity across the northeastern U.S., penuche fudge offers a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional chocolate-based fudges. This brown sugar fudge creates a deep, caramelized sweetness, making each bite irresistible, especially with the added crunch of walnuts or pecans.

If you’ve never tried making fudge at home, penuche is an excellent place to start. It’s a relatively simple recipe that captures the rich traditions of New England, making it a popular choice for the holidays or family gatherings. Whether you’re creating memories in the kitchen or preparing it as a heartfelt gift, penuche fudge is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

New England Style Penuche Fudge Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 ½ cups brown sugar
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• ¼ lb butter (or margarine)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans recommended)

Instructions:

1. Combine brown sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely.
2. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches the soft ball stage (around 235°F to 240°F), which you can test by dropping a bit of the mixture into cold water to see if it forms a soft, pliable ball.
3. Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract and chopped nuts.
5. Beat the mixture vigorously until it thickens and loses its gloss.
6. Pour into a buttered or parchment-lined pan, smooth it out, and allow it to cool.
7. Once set, cut the fudge into squares and enjoy!

The Sweet Taste of Tradition The penuche fudge recipe is all about bringing a taste of New England to your home. It’s rich, buttery, and has a caramel-like sweetness, thanks to the brown sugar base. The addition of walnuts or pecans gives it a delightful texture, and each piece offers a perfect balance between smoothness and crunch. This fudge is perfect for gifting, snacking, or serving at family gatherings.

Whether you're a New England native or just someone who enjoys old-fashioned recipes, penuche fudge is a must-try. Its warm, nostalgic flavor will make you feel like you’re enjoying a cozy moment in a New England kitchen.

Here are the sources for the New England Style Penuche Fudge Recipe:

1. Tasty Ever After: This site offers a rich, detailed breakdown of penuche fudge, focusing on the caramel-like flavor that comes from brown sugar. It provides tips on how to achieve the right texture and avoid common pitfalls. (Tasty Ever After)ps://www.tastyeverafter.com/penuche-fudge/).
2. The Southern Lady Cooks: This recipe emphasizes the classic preparation of penuche fudge, offering variations with different nuts and instructi​(The Southern Lady Cooks)fect consistency. Find the recipe here.
3. Mainely Flour: A guide for making silky-smooth penuche fudge, featuring helpfu​(Mainely Flour)r for precise temperature control and avoiding overmixing. Check out the guide here.
4. Homemade Dessert Recipes: This source explores the tra​(Homemade-Dessert-Recipes.com) roots of penuche fudge and shares old-fashioned methods for making the candy, drawing on decades of culinary tradition. Learn more here.

These references should help you explore different variations of the penuche fudge recipe!