It's fall and will soon be candy season

OUT OF CONTROL is a story gleaned from my days
as a newspaper reporter, covering cops and courts.

Below is my favorite easy fudge recipe. It's easy and never fails to be just right.

3 sticks of butter ( Warning: must be Real Butter!)
1 Two  lb package of 10x sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt

Melt the butter in the microwave

Stir in vanilla and salt with a whisk or fork

Mix in the sifted sugar, half at a time, stirring well

As you add the second half of the sugar, the mixture will form a thick consistency. Mix well with your hands as if it were bread dough, until it is smooth and thick.
(If the final mixture is too dry, add 1 tbsp of cream.)
(If final mixture is too wet, add a little extra sugar.)

When the fudgy consistency is just right, spread doughy mixture on a greased cookie sheet (Pam works great). Using your hands, pat it into a flat square shape about 1 inch thick.

Cut into 1 inch squares and Refrigerate for half an hour or more.

When the fudge is firm, put the squares into plastic bags, or candy dishes. Store in a cool place.

The fudge will stay firm at room temperature, but should not be stored near an oven, or a wood stove. I usually put mine on the back porch. It's glassed in, and not quite as warm as the rest of the house.


For Chocolate Fudge

To the above recipe, add 3/4 cup cocoa to melted butter, mix well, then proceed as shown.


For Chocolate Nut Fudge

Add 3/4 cup cocoa and
1 cup pecan pieces
Or Black walnut pieces
Or whatever nuts you like best
Mix nuts in with the sugar.


For Pina Collada Fudge

Leave out cocoa and add:
1 tbsp coconut flavoring.
1 tbsp pineapple flavoring
Yellow food coloring (optional).


For Mint Fudge
Leave out chocolate.
Add 1 tbsp mint flavoring.
Green food coloring.


For Almond Fudge
Leave out chocolate.
Add 1 1/2 tsp almond flavoring
Red food coloring to make the mixture pink.


For Chocolate-Peanut Butter Fudge

To the basic recipe, stir 1 cup of peanut butter in with melted butter.
Stir in 3/4 cup cocoa.
Then proceed with the basic recipe.