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Peanut Penuche
Description
Cinnamon Peanut Butter Fudge Squares is a classic fudge that meets the heartwarming flavors of cinnamon and the rich texture of roasted peanuts. This recipe, yielding a generous 64 pieces, is designed for those sweet, comforting embraces of homemade fudge with a twist. In just 1½ hours, including a crucial 45 minutes for chilling, you can transform simple ingredients like evaporated milk, light brown sugar, and unsalted butter into a smooth, creamy fudge that's elevated by a hint of cinnamon and the nutty crunch of peanuts. The process is a blend of careful cooking and patient stirring, leading to a mixture that's poured into a prepared pan and chilled until set. With options to customize the recipe by substituting peanuts with other nuts or swapping vanilla for almond extract, these fudge squares invite you to play with flavors while keeping the soul of the classic treat intact. Each square is a bite-sized journey through textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Prepare Your Pan
Start by lining an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring it generously overhangs the sides for easy fudge removal. A quick spritz of vegetable oil spray on the foil will create a non-stick foundation for your process.
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Mix and Melt
Gather evaporated milk, light brown sugar, slices of unsalted butter, a hint of salt, a dash of pure vanilla extract, and a whisper of ground cinnamon in a sturdy saucepan. Whisk these ingredients gently boil over medium heat, all the while stirring to dissolve the sugar into a sweet symphony.
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Simmer to Perfection
Turn the flame to low and let the mixture simmer, stirring with patience and anticipation, for 25 to 30 minutes. Your mixture should reach the magical 238°F mark on a candy thermometer, indicating it's reached the soft ball stage, ready for transformation.
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Sweet Thickening
Moderately introduce confectioners’ sugar to the mixture, a ¼ cup at a time, blending it at medium speed with an electric mixer. Beat the burgeoning fudge for 3 to 4 minutes until it becomes thick, smooth, and utterly irresistible. The final act involves stirring in the roasted peanuts, each one adding a crunch to your creamy fudge.
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Chill and Serve
Spread your fudge mixture evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top into a perfect canvas. Let it chill, uncovered, in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until it's firm. Lift the fudge out by the foil overhangs, discard the foil, and cut your masterpiece into 1-inch squares, ready to delight.
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Variation
Feel free to experiment with the nuts, replacing peanuts with toasted pecans or walnuts for a different crunch. Or, for a twist in flavor, swap the vanilla extract with pure almond extract and skip the cinnamon, tailoring the fudge to your taste buds' desire.
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