"Don't wreck a sublime chocolate experience by feeling guilty." ~Lora Brody

One of the easiest desserts to make has got to be fudge. I'm not much of a baker, so anytime I can create something good and chocolatey without turning on the oven I'm a happy girl.

To this day, the fudge my grandmother used to make remains the best fudge I've ever eaten. I never tried to recreate it because I assumed it was too complicated for a novice like myself. Ironically enough, I recently learned that she found her recipe on the back of a Carnation Evaporated Milk can.

Go figure.

So here is that great fudge recipe. Create a sweet treat for your Valentine!

Basic Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 5 oz. can evaporated milk
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups (9 oz) semi sweet chocolate morsels
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

• Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil.
• Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium saucepan. 
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. 
• Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in marshmallows, chocolate, nuts and vanilla extract. 
• Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted.
• Pour into baking pan.
• Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. 
• Lift from pan and remove foil. 
• Cut into pieces.

Here are some suggestions for other types of fudge:

Milk Chocolate Fudge: Swap 11.5-oz. pkg. milk chocolate morsels for semi-sweet chocolate morsels.

Butterscotch Fudge: Swap 11-oz. pkg. butterscotch flavored morsels for semi-sweet chocolate morsels.

Peanut Chocolate Fudge: Swap 11-oz pkg. peanut butter and milk chocolate morsels for semi-sweet chocolate morsels and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts for walnuts.

Happy Valentine's Day!