12 Days of Christmas Cookies: Day 3

Okay, so fudge is definitely not a cookie, but it's just not Christmas without this amazingly delicious fudge! Plus, it would make a great addition to any holiday cookie package or potluck. In order to make this fudge, you will need a good candy thermometer, since you will need to heat up the fudge mixture to 234 degrees F.  and then cool to 110 degrees F. Hitting these marks is incredibly important with this recipe since the sugar has to re-crystalize after it has been melted to create the perfect creamy fudge texture.   

Christmas Fudge

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Stir milk, sugar, cocoa, and salt together in a saute pan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
2. Once the mixture has starting boiling, stop stirring, and let the mixture boil until it reaches 234 degrees F.
3. Once the fudge is 234 degrees F., remove the pan from heat, and add the butter and vanilla extract without stirring it into the mixture. 
4. Let the mixture cool to 110 degrees F.
5. Once the mixture is at 110 degrees F., start stirring the mixture until it loses its gloss. Once the mixture starts to become dull, quickly transfer the mixture to a buttered tray or dish before it starts to crystalize and harden.