Each year on May 12th, National Nutty Fudge Day tempts you to indulge in smooth chocolate fudge filled with crunchy nuts.

A Western confection, fudge is usually sweet and delicious. It consists of combining sugar, butter, and milk, heating it to the correct temperature, and then mixing it while it cools to a smooth, creamy consistency. There are many varieties and flavors of fudge, with chocolate being the most popular.

In 1886, a letter was found written by Emelyn Bettersby Hartridge a Vassar College student in Poughkeepsie, NY about her Baltimore, MD cousin. It referred to a fudge her cousin had made and sold for 40 cents per pound. Hartridge obtained the recipe, and in 1888, she made 30 pounds of fudge for the Vassar College Senior Auction.

Late in the 19th century, some shops on Mackinac Island, Michigan, began to produce similar products as the Vassar College fudge and sold it to summer vacationers.  Fudge is still made in some of the original shops there today.

Many candy makers include pecans and walnuts when they prepare their fudge. As a celebratory treat, fudge makes a delicious gift. It packages well and recipients are often overjoyed to receive homemade fudge.

More Fudge to Love…

• National Nutty Fudge Day
• National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
• National Fudge Day
• National Penuche Fudge Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNuttyFudgeDay

Make a special batch of nutty fudge to share. Keep some for later and give some as a gift. Use #NationalNuttyFudgeDay to post on social media.