Chocolate, vanilla, maple...from its basic beginnings, there are now dozens of flavors of fudge. Photo © Belle Media | Dreamstime.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | KAREN HOCHMAN is Editorial Director of THE NIBBLE. | June 2007
Last Updated June 2016 | | The Origin Of Fudge Oh, Fudge! That’s How The History Of Fudge Began CAPSULE REPORT: While many of our favorite sweets have ancient origins—ice cream, in the form of fruit ice, dates back 5,000 years—fudge is a relatively recent invention, probably dating to the late 1880s. And, it’s an American original! It may look like a simple confection, but, as anyone who has tried to make fudge from the original recipe of chocolate, cream, butter and sugar knows, it’s tricky (hence so many “foolproof” recipes with marshmallow creme, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, etc.) Here, the short history of fudge.
Fudge History
Fudge is a drier version of fondant,* made by boiling sugar in milk to the soft-ball stage and then beating the mixture while it cools so that it acquires a smooth, creamy texture. Fudge is an American invention: Some food historians peg the date to February 14, 1886, but the exact origin and inventor are disputed. Most stories claim that the first batch of fudge resulted from an accident with a bungled (“fudged”) batch of caramels, when the sugar was allowed to recrystallize; hence the name from the interjection, “Oh fudge!” *An icing made of sugar syrup and glucose, or sugar, water and cream of tartar, cooked to the soft-ball stage and then kneaded to a smooth, soft paste. The paste can be colored or flavored and used as a center for chocolates or as an icing for cakes—it is especially popular as a covering for wedding cakes—and petit fours. One of the first documentations of fudge is in a letter written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, then a student at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She wrote that a schoolmate’s cousin made fudge in Baltimore in 1886 and sold it for 40 cents a pound. She obtained the recipe, and in 1888, made 30 pounds of it for the Vassar Senior Auction. Word of the confection spread to other women’s colleges. Wellesley and Smith developed their own versions of this “original” fudge recipe. All three recipes follow on Page 2. The original fudge recipes were famously delicate: Precise measurements, cooking time and constant stirring were crucial for perfect fudge. The recipe looks simple—heat a mixture of sugar, butter and milk or cream to the soft-ball stage (224°-238°F), then beat it to a smooth, creamy consistency while it cools. But it is easy to undercook or overcook a batch (not every home cook had—or has—a candy thermometer) and to end up with “crystallized” fudge through insufficient stirring. As a result, “foolproof” recipes were developed for the home cook that included corn syrup, which prevents crystallization and produces smooth fudge. Later recipes substituted sweetened condensed milk, marshmallow creme, or other ingredients for the milk/cream that were better guarantees of a perfect fudge texture. Of course, they didn’t guarantee the same creamy taste as the original recipe, which is provided on Page 2. If you want the best-tasting fudge, forget the sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and marshmallow cream and go for the original ingredients. Continue To Page 2: The Original Fudge Recipes Go To The Article Index Above
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FAQs
One of the first documentations of fudge is in a letter written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, then a student at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She wrote that a schoolmate's cousin made fudge in Baltimore in 1886 and sold it for 40 cents a pound.
Where is fudge originally from? ›
Culinary legend has it that fudge was invented in America. On Valentine's Day, 1886, a confectioner and chocolate maker in Baltimore, Maryland "fudged" a batch of French caramels. The delicious result? The very first batch of "fudge" ever.
Why do they call fudge fudge? ›
The exact origin and inventor of this delicious confection are hotly debated. However, many believe the first batch of fudge was created by accident when American bakers “fudged” a batch of caramels. Hence the name “fudge.”
Where did fudge come from in Scotland? ›
While the creation of fudge (in the history books) is a bit fuzzy, the first mentions of the sweet confectionery began appearing in journals and diaries towards the end of the 19th Century. And while many would assume that fudge originated in the UK, it is actually a creation from America!!!
Is fudge a British thing? ›
Fudge almost certainly has its origins in 19th century USA where it was popular in the women's colleges of the time. The generally-accepted line is that it all began with a certain Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, a student at Vassar College in New York.
Why is fudge a Michigan thing? ›
By most accounts, the first batch of fudge was concocted in Baltimore in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, fudge-making arrived on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan, which today has a legitimate claim as the modern day fudge capital.
What is fudge slang for? ›
When fudge is a verb, it means to avoid straightforwardly answering a question or addressing a subject: "Just answer my question and don't fudge the issue!" Fudge is an American word from college slang meaning "a made-up story."
Where is the fudge capital of the world? ›
Whether you visit Mackinac Island on National Fudge Day in June or any other day – maybe during the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August – come find your favorite flavor and experience the fudge capital of the world!
Where is the best fudge in the world? ›
Mackinac Island Fudge – The Best Fudge on Earth.
What is fudge called in Scotland? ›
Tablet (taiblet in Scots) is a medium-hard, sugary confection from Scotland. Tablet is usually made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter, which is boiled to a soft-ball stage and allowed to crystallise. It is often flavoured with vanilla and sometimes has nut pieces in it.
Fudge made its way to the popular summer resort of Mackinac Island, Michigan, several years later, where it exploded in popularity, and today it's essentially the island's signature snack, with numerous shops there turning out top-quality fudge.
Why do tourist traps sell fudge? ›
Some entrepreneurial person started selling this novelty at a tourist spot. The swell of tourism after the Civil War, unfolding only a little before the birth of fudge, created a new market, one hungry for entertainment in all its forms.
What the heck is fudge? ›
Fudge is a type of confection that is made by mixing sugar, butter and milk. It has its origins in the 19th century United States, and was popular in the women's colleges of the time.
Is fudge an American dessert? ›
It has its origins in the 19th century United States, and was popular in the women's colleges of the time. Fudge can come in a variety of flavorings depending on the region or country it was made; popular flavors include fruit, nut, chocolate and caramel.
Where is Mackinac Island fudge from? ›
Ryba's Fudge Shops started in 1951 with a popcorn and confection store in Detroit. They started making fudge in 1956, calling themselves Mackinac Island Fudge. They moved to the island in 1960 where they changed the name to Ryba's Fudge Shops. Ryba's now has five locations on Mackinac Island and two in Chicago.
Was fudge made by mistake? ›
That appetite for fudge dates back more than a century. Food historian Joyce White says fudge is based on a recipe for chocolate caramels, which was very similar. "What probably happened is that there was someone in Baltimore, messed it up, or 'fadged' it," she said. "Fadge is a word that means you messed up.
