Best Hersheys Rich Cocoa Fudge Recipes

VINTAGE HERSHEY'S RICH COCOA FUDGE RECIPE FROM THE '70S & '80S

Steps:

• Line 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter foil.
• Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in heavy 4-quart saucepan; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil.
• Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 234°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water, forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water. (Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of saucepan.)
• Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. Do not stir. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss. Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool completely.
• Cut into squares. Store in tightly-covered container at room temperature.

HERSHEY'S RICH COCOA FUDGE

Steps:

• 1. Line 8-or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter foil. 2. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in heavy 4-quart saucepan; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil. Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 234°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water, forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water. (Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of saucepan.) 3. Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. DO NOT STIR. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss. Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool completely. Cut into squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature. About 36 pieces or 1-3/4 pounds. NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe. VARIATIONS: NUTTY RICH COCOA FUDGE: Beat cooked fudge as directed. Immediately stir in 1 cup chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts and spread quickly into prepared pan. MARSHMALLOW-NUT COCOA FUDGE: Increase cocoa to 3/4 cup. Cook fudge as directed. Add 1 cup marshmallow creme with butter and vanilla. DO NOT STIR. Cool to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat 8 minutes; stir in 1 cup chopped nuts. Pour into prepared pan. (Fudge does not set until poured into pan.) HIGH ALTITUDE DIRECTIONS: -- Increase milk to 1-2/3 cups -- Use soft ball cold water test for doneness OR Test and read thermometer in boiling water, subtract difference from 212°F. Then subtract that number from 234°F. This is the soft ball temperature for your altitude and thermometer.

HERSHEY'S OLD FASHIONED RICH COCOA FUDGE

Steps:

• Line 8 or 9 inch square pan with foil; butter foil.
• In large heavy saucepan stir together first three ingredients; stir in milk, with a wooden spoon*.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a full rolling boil.
• Boil without stirring, to 234 degrees F on a candy thermometer (or until syrup, when dropped in very cold water forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water). Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of pan. (This can take 20-30 minutes).
• Remove from heat. Add butter & vanilla.
• DO NOT STIR! Cool at room temperature to 110 degrees F (lukewarm). (This can take 2 to 2-1/2 hours).
• Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens & loses some of its gloss. (This can take 15-20 minutes. It really works best if you have someone to 'tag-team' with.) It starts to look more like frosting than a thick syrup when it is ready.
• Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool.
• Cut into squares.
• Store wrapped loosely in foil in the refrigerator.
• *it is very important not to use a wire whisk or the fudge will not set up. Also just stir gently, even though the cocoa will stay floating on top, it will mix in as the mixture heats up.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• 1. 1. Line an 8 or 9 inch square pan with foil; butter the foil.
• 2. 2.In a large heavy sauce pan stir in the sugar, cocoa powder and 1/8 tsp of salt. Mix well. Gently stir in milk with a big wooden spoon (make sure to use wooden spoon).
• 3. 3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a full rolling boil.
• 4. 4.Boil with out stirring, to 234 degrees F. on Candy thermometer (or until a tad of Syrup, when dropped in a glass of very cold water forms a very soft ball which flattens when removed from water.) The bulb of Candy thermometer should NOT rest on bottom of pan. This process should take 20 - 30 minutes. Keep rechecking until a soft ball forms in the cold water.
• 5. 5.Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla, DO NOT STIR.
• 6. 6. Cool at room temperature,to 110 degrees or lukewarm, this could take 2 hours or more. (Sweet ANTICIPATION) Do Not Stir !!
• 7. 7.Beat fudge with a wooden spoon or until it thickens and looses some of it's gloss. It can take 15 - 20 minutes. This is why Jeanette waited for me to visit before cooking Fudge..a tag partner to beat the fudge. It looks more like frosting instead of a thick syrup when it's ready.
• 8. 8. Quickly spread onto prepared pan; cool.
• 9. 9. Cut into squares. Can use a warm knife that has been dipped in hot water and dried off to cut easier.
• 10. 10. Wrap loosely in foil and place in refrigerator. Except the "one for you and one for me" pieces we headed to bed with.

OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan. Set aside.
• Combine sugar, cocoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Stir to blend, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer. Do not stir again.
• Place candy thermometer in pan and cook until temperature reaches 238 degrees F(114 degrees C). If you are not using a thermometer, then cook until a drop of this mixture in a cup of cold water forms a soft ball. Feel the ball with your fingers to make sure it is the right consistency. It should flatten when pressed between your fingers.
• Remove from heat. Add butter or margarine and vanilla extract. Beat with a wooden spoon until the fudge loses its sheen. Do not under beat.
• Pour into prepared pan and let cool. Cut into about 60 squares.