History of Fudge (2024)

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History of Fudge? ›

Culinary legend has it that fudge was invented in America. On Valentine's Day, 1886, a confectioner and chocolate maker in Baltimore, Maryland "fudged" a batch of French caramels. The delicious result? The very first batch of "fudge" ever.

Where Did Fudge Originate? Fudge originated in the United States with its rich history and widespread popularity. The precise location of its inception is a bit of a culinary enigma, but it is widely believed to have first been made in the late 19th century.

The first written record of fudge's existence was at a bake sale at Vassar College in 1886. One year later, in 1887, Sara Murdick and her family arrived at Mackinac Island and would soon kickstart Mackinac's fudge empire. The men of the Murdick family worked on canvas awnings at the then-new Grand Hotel.

The story goes, a baker was trying to make chocolate caramels. However, they didn't get the recipe quite right. When the candy came out as the creamy treat we know today, they said, “Oh, fudge!” and that's how the candy got its name. The first recorded mention of fudge came from 1888.

By most accounts, the first batch of fudge was concocted in Baltimore in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, fudge-making arrived on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan, which today has a legitimate claim as the modern day fudge capital.

On Michigan's world-renowned Mackinac Island, the sweet aroma of fudge wafts out onto the street from four unique Ryba's Fudge Shops.

Though it contains no saltwater, taffy—and fudge, its sister seaside treat—may benefit from being made in a beach climate. Perhaps the salty air simply gives people a hankering for something sweet; it's also possible that the candies' decelerated drying and oxidation in humid air give them a unique “coastal” flavor.

As Mackinac Island evolved from a center of fur trade into a summer resort destination, Victorian-era vacationers began to identify the island with sweets. At first, the most common candy was maple sugar harvested by Native Americans. Other treats, including fudge, soon followed.

While all of Mackinac Island, the landform, is located within the corporate limits of the City of Mackinac Island, today 82 percent of the island's landmass is owned by the State of Michigan and managed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission (MISPC).

Mackinac Island is a shortened version of the Native American name, Michilimackinac. The Anishinaabek word means place of the great turtle. Why great turtle? They thought that Mackinac Island, with its limestone bluffs, looked like a giant turtle rising out of the water.

What is fudge called in Scotland? ›

Tablet (taiblet in Scots) is a medium-hard, sugary confection from Scotland. Tablet is usually made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter, which is boiled to a soft-ball stage and allowed to crystallise. It is often flavoured with vanilla and sometimes has nut pieces in it.

1. : foolish nonsense. often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief.

Mackinac Island, between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, is the self-proclaimed "Fudge Capital of America." The car-free oasis has more than a dozen fudge shops. During the summer, fudge-loving tourists (affectionately called "fudgies") flood the island.

In 1887, Mackinac Island's first candy shop opened as Murdick's Candy Kitchen. Henry Murdick continued to make sails in the back of the building, while up front, Rome crafted fudge using his mother's recipe.

Fudge is a rich, chocolate candy made with plenty of sugar, cream, and butter. Fudge is usually cut into squares and eaten in small quantities. While fudge comes in many different flavors, it's usually chocolate. In the US, another kind of fudge is smooth, melted chocolate that can be poured over the top of ice cream.

Sink your sweet tooth into an old-fashioned array of confectionaries! Peek inside the glass-walled kitchen to see our candy makers at work before choosing from chocolate-covered strawberries, caramel apples, toffee, fudge and so much more!

And while many would assume that fudge originated in the UK, it is actually a creation from America!!!

It has its origins in the 19th century United States, and was popular in the women's colleges of the time. Fudge can come in a variety of flavorings depending on the region or country it was made; popular flavors include fruit, nut, chocolate and caramel.

Scottish fudge is a true classic. For many in Scotland, it's not just a sweet treat but a trip down memory lane. Think about special family times, holiday gatherings, or simply a comforting snack on a chilly day. Made with a few basic ingredients, its rich taste and smooth texture make it a favourite for all ages.

That appetite for fudge dates back more than a century. Food historian Joyce White says fudge is based on a recipe for chocolate caramels, which was very similar. "What probably happened is that there was someone in Baltimore, messed it up, or 'fadged' it," she said. "Fadge is a word that means you messed up.