Good day readers, please have patience with my meanderings and you'll be rewarded at the end with a recipe you'll use again and again.

Long ago in another lifetime , as a new bride I bought my first microwave. Inside was a recipe book. Having learned to cook at a young age , I know my way around a kitchen pretty well, and if you dont count the 'too much sage in the dressing' incident or the 'no sugar in the pumpkin pie' fiasco, I've had more successes than failures. So sitting there in front of me was a new challenge. I used the recipes in the book , most with great results , some not so good, but one shining example has outlasted the microwave , the marriage and the cook book. The famous microwave fudge. Now i have a real tendency to tweak most of the recipes I'm fond of and this is no exception. The recipe that will be your reward at the end of this article is different in several ways that the original and the better for it.

As I developed the fudge into it's present form , it became standard fare at our family gatherings. My annual offering was ,and still is , greeted with enthusiasm and anticipation.When I remarried, my new husband and children also became avid fans.

As life moves along , children grow up and move away.My two wonderful sons decided to move to Alaska to make their fortunes and my husband and I watched them leave with a mix of sadness and pride in our hearts. As the holidays approached and we asked them what we could send them , the requests always included a pound of fudge.

One particular Christmas , my oldest asked for the recipe along with the sweet treat and I gladly passed it along , being very specific about it's contruction. A few weeks after Christmas had passed I asked him how it had turned out. His response was " It was okay' but it didnt taste like yours." When I asked him if he knew why, he surprised me with an affirmative answer. Intrigued I asked him what the reason was .That's when my full grown son completely melted his mothers' heart. He answered , " Because it wasnt made with a Mommys love."

The time came when my children decide that it was time to move South again. First my youngest , then his older brother followed a few years later. The Holidays this year were the best I can remember since they were small. I had both of my boys close and one of them brought home a lovely young woman whom I hope he has the sense to make my daughter in law and mother of my grandchildren.Every woman knows that you cant share your kitchen with just any other woman, there has to be camaraderie. Thanksgiving brought the kids to our home and the evening before found Kimberly and I in the kitchen cooking. You would have thought we had been doing it that way for years. When my son wandered in he surveyed the progress happily.Before leaving again for the safety of 'man territory' [football] he instructed my assistant, "Watch carefully , these are traditional foods and you need to know how to make them."

Christmas found us in much the same situation ,so I decided it was time to pass on some family treasures. The time had come to teach Kimberly how to make the fudge. I assembled the ingredients on the counter and stood back , directing her in each step.And I told her the all important secret I had forgotten to impart to my son, which makes this treat something truly special.

We made our way to my brothers' , treats in hand and Kimberly fairly glowed at the compliments she received on this iconic family favorite.It tasted just like mine.  And so a family tradion is passed along. 

So there is the family history of the recipe you are about to receive.Use it with love in your heart , good intentions in your soul and happiness in your sharing.

1- 12 ounce bag of semi sweet chocolate chips, I like Giradelli.

1-12 ounce bag of any other flavor chip , I usually use peanut butter.

1/4 cup salted butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon real vanilla flavoring.

1/4 cup chopped nuts [optional]

You will need a four cup pyrex measuring cup , an 8x8 glass cooking pan a wooden spoon and a spatula. And of course a microwave. 1,000 watts is best.

Simply dump all of the ingredients in the measuring cup with the exception of the nuts, those go in last if you choose to use them.

Place the cup in the microwave on 50% power for 2 and 1/2 minutes. remove and stir. Put back in at 50% for an additional 2 and 1/2 minutes. While it's cooking [ this is the important part] liberally butter the 8x8 glass baking pan with your fingers. Make sure the sides are well covered as is the bottom. I usually use the remainder of the cube for this. When the microwave stops, stir again thoroughly.This is when you add the nuts. Pour the mixture into the glass pan and let cool.

Yep ,that's all there is to it. In a very short time you have a treat that everyone will rave over. When you cut it you will find that the butter in the pan has melted completely into the fudge adding that wonderful rich creamy texture that makes this recipe special.

I have made it with all chocolate , with butterscotch , mint , white chocolate , almond bark and I've added fun things before I poured. Marsh mallows , the mini ones , crushed toffee , M&M's .And recently someone suggested I make a layered fudge. A layer of pure chocolate ,a layer of caramel chips and a layer of peanut butter chocolate. The possibilities are endless and now that you have the recipe you can let your imagination run wild. Please dont use cheap ingredients, they make the fudge taste cheap. 

So now that I have shared the family recipe with you , I gues that makes you family. Use it in good health, Good Day , God Bless and Good Cooking, Purk