You know how every so often, you’ll hear people say, “Hey! It’s national peanut butter day!” and you’re all, “Yeah, you totally made that up.”? {If you have no idea what I’m talking about, just smile and nod politely so I don’t feel like an idiot. Although, if someone sees you smiling and nodding at your computer, then YOU might feel like an idiot, so… whatever. Do what you want.}
Turns out, there’s a food holiday for every single day of the year. Don’t believe me? Then check out this website. Told ya.
We randomly discovered that site a couple of years ago and it’s now bookmarked on our computer and the boys check it regularly. And, last year at Christmas, I actually found a cookbook called FoodFest 365!: The Officially Fun Food Holiday Cookbook
that is based on this very idea. So of course I had to buy it for Dave.
The boys have made a game out of this book: You say a date. 2. The person with the book checks that date and tells you what day it is. 3. You decide whether or not you like the food being celebrated that day. 4. If you like it, you get a point. If you don’t, the other person gets a point. Example 1: August 13. National Filet Mignon Day. Yes, I like it. Point for me. Example 2: October 9. National Moldy Cheese Day. {Seriously? Who decides these things??} Um, gag. Point for David.
Yeah. My kids aren’t at all competitive.
If you didn’t care for {or believe} my National Moldy Cheese Day example, see if any of this randomness tickles your fancy: February 23: Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. March 5: National Cheese Doodle Day. March 30: Turkey Neck Soup Day. July 8: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Omelette Day. October 14: National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day. December 18: National Roast Suckling Pig Day. {Again, I swear, I am not making these up.}
Or, my all-time favorite: August 3: Grab Some Nuts Day. {Hee hee hee… I have the maturity level of a 12-year-old boy, so that is just plain funny right there.}
Anyway.This very long, rambling introduction is my way of saying: “Happy Penuche Fudge Day, y’all!”
In case you’re not familiar with penuche fudge {we just called it penuche – pronounced “pen-oo-chee” – when I was growing up}, it’s a brown sugar-based candy. It’s sweet and creamy and absolutely delicious, and my grandmother used to make it all the time. In fact, it’s one of the very first foods I remember making as a kid.
I’ve found several different recipes online, and some call for corn syrup, evaporated milk, white chocolate … you name it. The recipe I use, and the one I’m sharing with you today, is my Grandma’s. It just uses brown sugar, milk, butter and vanilla. That’s it. It’s super easy, and crazy delicious. Although it’s also quite easy to eat an entire batch yourself, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
2 lbs (32 oz) light brown sugar
4 Tbsp butter
2/3 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
Prepare 8″x8″ pan with oil or cooking spray.
Combine brown sugar, butter and milk in a medium saucepan over medium/high heat. Boil, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 238 degrees F {soft ball stage} on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, add vanilla and beat until mixture becomes creamy and loses its glossy look {approx. 1-2 minutes}. Quickly pour into prepared pan {be sure to move quickly, because mixture hardens VERY rapidly} and cut into squares.
If you liked this, be sure to check outthese other treats!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Wontons
Lemon Cloud Push Pops
Homemade Magic Shell
Cake Batter Bark
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