It only soils a single bowl and can be cooked completely using the microwave.
Shortly after my mom and dad welcomed their first child, my elder sister, they bought their very first microwave. This was quite significant at the time. We’re talking about the late 1970s here, and
microwaves
had only recently begun production and were offered at lower prices—indicating that customers began purchasing them in large numbers.
My mother opted to join a microwave cooking course. Despite having numerous handwritten recipes from the class, the recipe she used most frequently—and which my brothers and sisters as well as I began preparing for our own households—is a single-bowl chocolate fudge.
This microwaved fudge recipe includes only six components, demands roughly five minutes of hands-on cooking time, and guess what? It needs just one mixing bowl. Unlike some recipes that involve melting chocolate using a double boiler, this doesn’t. Other methods might necessitate a candy thermometer; however, this straightforward version skips that step too. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about grabbing your hand mixer since this easy-peasy method omits that as well.
Just combine all the components in a bowl, zap it in the microwave, stir, heat again, and your fudge mixture will be prepared for pouring into a tray and letting it set. Enjoy nearly instant satisfaction.
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How to Prepare My Mother’s Single-Bowl Microwave Fudge
For an 8×8-inch baking dish, which yields approximately 36 bite-sized portions, you will require:
- 32 ounces powdered sugar
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (2 sticks) of salted butter
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
Lining an 8×8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil or parchment paper will do.
In a big microwaveable container, blend together the confectioner’s sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract. Place the butter on top without stirring; keep it whole instead of chopping it into smaller pieces.
Heat the mixture in the microwave at full power for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Take out the bowl and blend thoroughly until the majority of the sugar clumps break down, which should take roughly one minute of intense stirring. Fold in the marshmallows afterward.
Place the bowl back in the microwave and heat on high until the marshmallows dissolve, which should take between 20 to 30 seconds. Mix thoroughly once more. If desired, incorporate extra ingredients such as nuts or grated coconut. Transfer the fudge mixture into the lined pan and even out the surface.
Chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours. Take off the parchment paper or foil from the baking dish. Slice the fudge into small square pieces and savor them. For optimal enjoyment, this fudge should be kept tightly covered on the countertop for up to one week. Should you wish to preserve it further, storing it in the refrigerator will extend its freshness to two or three weeks. Be mindful that it might become a bit drier when stored in the fridge, so ensure it remains well sealed.
Suggestions for Creating Simple Homemade Fudge
Avoid chopping the stick of butter; instead, add it last to a microwave-safe bowl with the initial four ingredients. Placed atop the other components, it will melt over them during cooking. Simple and effective.
Feel free to get creative and include 1/4 cup of nuts as an addition.
shredded coconut
If you decide to include the latter option, keep in mind that this fudge is already quite sweet! It may be better to opt for unsweetened desiccated coconut instead. Additionally, you can incorporate a teaspoon of mint extract. When making these adjustments, introduce them at the end, just prior to combining everything together and transferring the mixture to the baking dish.
Ultimately, feel free to increase the quantity. When using an 8×8 inch baking dish for the fudge, it won’t be extremely thick. This is ideal since it’s quite rich; a little square may suffice. However, should you decide to make twice as much, you can stick with the same sized pan but expect thicker portions.
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