National Nutty Fudge Day

National Nutty Fudge Day attracts you to enjoy smooth chocolate fudge filled with crunchy nuts.

National Nutty Fudge Day is celebrated on May 12th every year. Celebrations can be made by tasting the smooth chocolate covered with crunchy nuts. There are many stories about the invention of fudge, but don't waste time searching for them. On this beautiful occasion, just grab a box of your favorite pecans or walnut muffins and enjoy the holiday with your family, friends and colleagues.

History of National Nutty Fudge Day

There's a bit of back and forth about who first came up with this ooey-gooey dessert or even why it's called 'fudge'. While fudge is believed to be an American invention, its origins are unclear. Many of the stories that claim the invention of fudge are a letter written by Vassar College student Emelyn Battersby Hartridge about her cousin, or cousin of a schoolmate, from Baltimore, Maryland. This letter mentions a spoof the other girl did and sold for 40 cents/pound. Hartridge obtained this recipe and proceeded to win £30 in a Vassar University final year student auction.

Another story revolves around a young apprentice caramel maker who is tasked with stirring a pot of caramel while his boss is out front serving customers. Unfortunately, this caramel pot is too full of seeds to serve by the time the boss returns. As the story goes, to avoid wasting 'failed caramel', they let the customer have it. Diners love this dish so much; they named it after the apprentice who accidentally created it.

However, another story credits a lecture as the inspiration behind the creation of this dish. It is said that a lecture at the University of Virginia on making coffee caused students to unintentionally create a tantrum.

The history of the word 'fudge' itself has evolved over the centuries. First used as a version of the now obsolete word 'fadge' (meaning 'to fit' or 'to match'), the word was originally used as a verb, having means 'turned out as expected' or 'merged together'. In later usage, "fudge" is still used as a verb but instead means "clumsily or dishonestly put together." It leads to the exclamation "fudge!" finally as we know it.

Whatever the reason behind this saying and the delicious food, we are happy to have it in our lives.

Why National Nutty Fudge Day?

Most people are probably wondering why this day is celebrated. And the simple answer to that question is because it gives people a chance to celebrate a delicious candy. Today, the United States of America celebrates more than 1500 Independence Days annually, and many of these are expected to be dedicated to delicious food.

Along with this, on July 22nd we celebrate National Penuche Fudge Day and on November 20th we celebrate National Peanut Butter Fudge Day.

The day celebrates the mouthwatering variation of Western confectionery in all its glory. The right fudge is sweet, soft, crunchy but firm, and adding nuts to it, the sweetness is raised to a better standard.

The history of fudge is a bit controversial, as is with many foods and candies. However, the three most popular stories revolving around fudge making are

• One of the stories surrounding the invention of toffee goes these way- Students who followed a toffee recipe provided by a university professor in Virginia, USA did not mix the mixture at sufficiently high temperatures, resulting in the formation of hard candies.
• The second most popular story is that of a caramel apprentice. The caramel maker was a bit busy with his customers, so he asked his apprentice to look after a pot of bubbling caramel and stir well. But by the time the caramel maker returns to his station, the caramel is no longer shiny and smooth, but becomes rough.

Although the caramel maker believed the caramel was spoiled, to his surprise the customers were delighted. In addition, Fudge who uses the name for the candy spoiled the batch of caramel.

• The third story has the most historical value to it and is considered the first recorded evidence of its creation. In 1886, a young student named Emelyn Battersby Hartridge of Vassar College received a letter from her cousin or the cousin of a schoolmate.

The letter mentioned a candy that the writer, from Baltimore, Maryland, made and sold for 40 cents a pound. After Hartridge mastered the recipe, she landed at least 30 pounds of candy on her own at a Vassar College senior's auction.

Some facts about National Nutty Fudge Day

• 'Fudge' is an old Norman name

The name came to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

• Ingredients vary by geography

European fudge recipes typically only include sugar, cream, and butter, while American fudge recipes also add chocolate.

• Biggest Fudge in the World

Created in Ontario, Canada, this confection weighs in at 2.61 tons, or 5,760 pounds, takes over a week to make, and uses over 300 gallons of condensed milk.

• Fudge lasts for a long time

Traditional Fudge can be stored for a week or two in an airtight container at room temperature, in the refrigerator for two or three weeks, and in the freezer for several months without loss of flavor.

• A drug addiction like no other!

American composer Cole Porter loved fudge so much that he would send nine pounds of it to himself every month from his hometown.

Some reasons for National Nutty Fudge Day being loved

• It celebrates stupidity

It's hard to imagine a world without this chocolate, isn't it? If the stories are true, then a change of fate is the only thing standing between us and a world without fakes. This is why it is imperative that we show our love for this little dessert by making and eating it. Plus, fudge is traditionally American, so if you are too, you might feel very patriotic celebrating it.

• It teaches us what fudge is

If you haven't taken a moment to stop and think about the sweet thing, do it now. National Nutty Fudge Day is the perfect time to flip through the history of how fudge came about and how it has evolved over the years.

• It is an interesting reason to learn how to make fudge

No celebration of food is complete without a recipe. National Nutty Fudge Day provides us with a perfect excuse to prepare a wide range of delicious warm nutritious dishes for ourselves and our loved ones.

How to celebrate National Nutty Fudge Day

• Make your own delicious pastries

What better way to celebrate a sweet holiday than by creating a dish named after the holiday? Grab your favorite recipe and get started! Many popular recipes include pecans and walnuts, but of course, you can choose to add your favorite nuts to your fudge recipe.

• Give away a bunch of sweets

Once you've mastered the art of making delicious fudge, make a special batch to share with friends and family. Homemade pastries make for a much more personalized and delicious gift. Not only is this treat pack good, but it lasts longer and of course, tastes absolutely amazing.

• Throw a great party

Gather your friends (online or offline) for a special fudge themed party. You can host games like 'identify the fudge' or even encourage attendees to bring along a bunch of their favorite fudge cakes to 'swap the fudge.' Each attendee can leave the party with an easy fudge recipe to try at home.