Fran’s Fantastic Fudge

Last weekend Simon and I headed down to New Plymouth to visit Courtenay, Shane and Max and also Simon’s family.  We had a great time catching up with everyone and were treated to lots of delicious food; we actually left with a boot load full of fruit and veg generously given to us by Simon’s Great Aunty Pat – thank you!  Simon spent the afternoon of ANZAC day in the kitchen using some of the stuff we were given.  We now have passion fruit curd, stewed rhubarb and sweet chilli jam - and we still have pumpkins, avocados and more chillies to use up!

While we were visiting we tried some of this beautiful fudge made by Simon’s second cousin Frances.  We liked it so much that we popped in and got the recipe off her before we left and we made some once we got home.  It’s pretty simple to make too (which I think makes it kind of dangerous) - you just put everything in the microwave.

100g butter, cubed
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla, or 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon rum essence
4 cups sifted icing sugar
½ cup cocoa
½ – 1 cup chopped nuts, optional

Place the butter, milk, vanilla, sifted icing sugar and cocoa into a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then beat until smooth.  Pour into a loaf tin lined with greaseproof paper.  Refrigerate until cold.  Cut into pieces before serving.

Thank you Frances for sharing the recipe with us and thank you so much to everyone for the hospitality we were provided with while we visited.  We look forward to seeing you all when we head down to Taranaki again in another couple of months :)