Hello!

I hate sugar.

Yes I am writing this after I have just made a chocolate biscuit slice and a tray of russian fudge.

I never want to see it again.

Ever.

When I find myself bored and alone during the holidays I have a habit of sending sweet treats to a few lucky individuals. This year my lucky recipient is Jamal. Jamal and I have an excellent relationship. I like baking and he likes to eat baking. Perfect.

So I found myself making the one thing I know takes the impact of the NZ post system; Russian fudge.

Now most people make fudge on a stove with a candy thermometer and all that other fuss. Making candy that way does not usually end very well with me. However many years ago my mother came to acquire a brilliant microwave russian fudge recipe from her friend Sue. So in our family cookbooks this fudge recipe is known as Sue's Russian fudge.

Why is this fudge called Russian fudge?

I have no idea.

Anyway it is a really simple recipe however you do need a very VERY large microwave safe bowl. If your bowl is not sufficiently large then the molten fudge (which is hotter than hell) will spill over the edges and create a burning, messy fudge up.

Also it is important to use castor sugar in this recipe. Normal white sugar granules will not dissolve in the time in the microwave and you will end up with grainy fudge.

Sometimes you can overcook the fudge. If you do there is no saving it unfortunately, the Maillard reaction has gone too far. All you can do is chop it up into tiny pieces once it has set and throw it on top of your next bowl of ice cream. The consequences of failure could be worse.

As all microwaves are different, if this recipe fails you the first time that you do this then I encourage you to try again. Make note of what went wrong (if it became overcooked and grainy then reduce the time in the microwave by a few minutes) and do something to correct it. Our old microwave required 5 x 3minute cooking lots. Our new microwave (after an unfortunate overcooking incident) we found only needs 4 x 3 minute cooking lots. So if you have a new microwave, err on the side of caution and only do four blasts. If you have an old crappy thing (like our old 20 year old microwave) then try out five.

Also, do not try and lick the spatula straight away. You will get burnt. Big time. It will hurt. A lot. And the roof of your mouth will blister. Then those blisters will pop and leave you with a ragged and raw top palate. Don't do it.

One of the steps is to leave it to cool for five minutes before beating. I think that is too long, I waited for five and my fudge didn't pour smoothly. Try only waiting for three minutes. It also originally said to beat for five minutes. I think this is too long as well. Beat for one and see how you go.

Have I scared you off yet?

No? Good. Lets do this! :)

Sue's Russian Fudge

Makes a small slice tin's worth

3 cups castor sugar

1/2 cup condensed milk

1/2 cup cream

1 tablespoon golden syrup

100g chopped butter

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Place all the ingredients into a very large microwave safe bowl (like a good large Mason and Cash bowl). Microwave at 100% power for 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave and give it a good stir making sure the edges are well scraped down. Stirring helps to dissolve the sugar.

Return to the microwave for another three minutes then stir. Repeat this a total of four (so a total cooking time of 12 minutes) or five (total cooking time of 15 minutes) depending on the power of your microwave. Make sure you stir really well between each blast.

After taking the bowl out for the last time, give it a quick stir then leave to sit for 3 minutes. Then beat the fudge with electric beaters for one minute. Stop as soon as the fudge appears to be hardening into small peaks.

Pour the fudge into a small slice tin lined with baking paper. Leave to cool on the bench before placing in the fridge to fully set. Once almost set, slice into pieces. Return to the fridge until fully set.

Unstirred after three minutes

Stirred after three minutes

Unstirred after six minutes

Stirred after six minutes

Unstirred after nine minutes

Stirred after nine minutes

Colour after nine minutes (nearly there!)

Unstirred after twelve minutes

Stirred after twelve minutes

The fudge will keep bubbling even though is has been taken
out of the microwave. In the next three minutes of cooling the colour
will significantly darken.