Caramel Fudge
5 cups sugar, divided
2 cups half-and-half
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine 4 cups sugar, half-and-half, and butter in a heavy Dutch
oven. Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until sugar dissolves.
Cover and cook over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes to wash down sugar
crystals from sides of pan.
Sprinkle remaining 1 cup sugar in a large heavy skillet; cook over
medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and turns light
golden brown.
Pour caramelized sugar and milk into fudge mixture. (Mixture will
lump but will become smooth with further cooking.) Cook over low
heat, stirring constantly, until caramelized sugar dissolves.
Continue cooking, without stirring, until mixture reaches soft ball
stage (240 degrees). Cool to 160 degrees. Add marshmallows and
vanilla. Beat with a spoon until marshmallows melt and mixture
begins to thicken. Stir in pecans. Pour into a buttered 9-inch
square pan, spreading with a spatula. Cool candy, and cut into
squares.
Yield: 2 1/2 pounds. |