Every Christmas our mother would make three different kinds of fudges. We would carefully wrap a selection in crackly difficult, transparent cellophane, then we gathered the corners together, with a red ribbon, tied in a bow. We made a number of little packages. A large number. Us kids would make tiny cards that we attached to the ribbons and then with baskets loaded with fudge we would walk along the beach and around the block giving out our Mothers little christmas gifts to all the neighbours she knew. She knew plenty. Everyone smiled at us. We were as popular as the florists delivery boy.
Of the three fudges that I remember making, I have the actual recipe for the Russian Fudge. This seems to have its origins in an old Scottish fudge called Tablet. Though that does not explain where the Russian came in. It is definitely one of the retro recipes. I have cruised the New Zealand sugary sites, comparing Mums recipe to others, and they are all almost exactly the same so I think if I look further I will find a 50’s version in New Zealand Woman’s Weekly or The Edmonds Cookbook something.
It is NOT HEALTHY! There is no way round it! It should come with a warning as it is so More-ish and so simple to make. 
Russian Fudge:
3 tablespoons of Golden Syrup. (I cannot find Golden Syrup out here on the plains, so I used sorghum/molasses which is close. But Golden Syrup is the NZ flavour. )
1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk
3 1/2 cups white sugar (told you it was bad for you)
4 oz (about 125 grams) butter
1/2 cup milk
pinch of salt
Heat all the ingredients to a gentle rolling boil, stir occassionally, after about 10 minutes drop a little into cold water, if it balls you are done. (or slowly heat up to 150C, though mine was ready before it got that hot) Take off the heat. Add 1 big tsp of vanilla. Now the important bit. Beat with a hand beater until it looks duller and is thicker. I beat it for at least 5 minutes. But it is cooling, so once you feel it change consistency and get thicker, quickly pour into a greased pie dish. Mark your little squares with a knife while it is soft.
When it is cool. About an hour for those of you who can’t wait! Cut into tiny blocks. Eat one tiny piece and give the rest away as fast as you can! This wee morsel just melts in your mouth!
For some extraordinary reason this is perfect with a wee dram of cognac. In the bad old days I often took a medicinal shot of good cognac just before I went on stage. It warms the vocal chords, I would tell my disapproving stage manager, as she gave me the five minute call.
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
115 responses to “Little Party nibbles: Mama’s Russian Fudge”
Found your link on life at the end of the road…I love cooking and will try this recipe.. any chance you can send some of your fudge down to surrey 🙂 have a great Christmas and new year
Gaz
we will have a great christmas Gazza, hope you do too! I guess you are still having nice weather over there in surrey! c
This recipe sounds amazing. Just reading it is giving me a sugar-buzz.
ping ping ping.. c
This recipe sounds absolutely delicious. I am a self-confessed fudge addict and love to sit down with a cup of coffee and more pieces than I should! I’d never tried a recipe with syrup before, but can’t wait to try this one.
Well if are an addict then this recipe is for you as it is SO easy.. !
http://becomingcliche.wordpress.com/ sent me. My mouth is already watering! So glad to be here!
Welcome, we are glad to have you! c
mmmmm……. sounds delicious!
Oh it is Rumpy, you can have one tiny bit if you hold still for teeth brushing afterwards!! c
The photos of your fudge forced me dig into my secret stash of maple sugar candy for an immediate fix.
Not secret anymore Ellen! Welcome.. c
It’s definitely the time of year for fudge, I have just made a batch too with peanut butter! First ever so must be because I am a kiwi now ;0)
I am so proud of you getting to be a Kiwi, How hard was it? Did you have to sing the national anthem or something, was there a test? and more to the point what did you cook as your first kiwi dinner. In fact I am going to go over to your site to see.. c
nothing like homemade fudge! Looks so good!
Believe it or not, my old people are putting in orders, it is easy on the dentures evidently!! who knew?!.. c
How very funny. I have a tiny tin of maple fudge (Daily Cure’s mentioned it) in the pantry and keep it out of sight so that when on occasion it occurs to me it’s still there I will go and eat one piece. Then put the container back until the need strikes again. I would think this, too, would go down smoothly with a wee dram.
aye lassie, beware the wee dram! c
I`M glad to know it looks yummy 🙂
looks yummy and is yummy. welcome jake c
How I wish I was your neighbor. You’d definitely be more welcome than the florist’s delivery guy. With that fudge, you’d be as welcome as the Publisher’s Clearing House prize patrol. Looks incredibly decadent, Cecilia. mm. mmm
oh yes the publishers clearing house.. i would love to be that guy! It is decadent.. do NOT make this!! c
I can’t close my mouth or stop it from watering after looking at that pic.
Do you think the bro’s would like fudge when you are gathering for a big game Jed? c
Looks wonderful, C! Shame we can’t mail you golden syrup.. 🙂
Thats OK Celia, at least you cn make it with the real thing. Miss Rhode Island has found some for me and will mail it, so that will be great! c
Celi! If you were my neighbour I’d probably be one of those annoying neighbours always drooling on your fence…. guess you could put me in the back with the cows 🙂 This looks sooooooo good! 3.5 cups sugar sounds quite intense indeed.
I know Mel. a terrible amount of sugar, but just this once.. c
Wicked stuff you have there C. Wicked…