Family Recipes: Rocky Road Fudge

FamilySearch CEO, Steve Rockwood, shares his favorite family recipe and the wonderful memories he has associated with it:

Every Christmas growing up, my mom would make my grandmother’s famous rocky road fudge. We all loved it and still enjoy it every year when the holiday season rolls back around. Every bite is a throwback to simpler times and treasured family moments.As with any family recipe, changes arose within our rocky road fudge recipe. Some family members didn’t quite like the crunchy texture and the flavor the nuts brought to the fudge, so mom decided to also begin making “smooth road fudge.” We still look forward to gathering as a family every Christmas and enjoying a delicious piece of Grandma’s rocky road fudge while reflecting on the many wonderful memories we’ve shared.

Grandma’s Rocky Road Fudge

Ingredients:

• 1 12oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
• 2 ½ milk chocolate bars
• 1 cup of butter
• 1 ½ cups of frozen mini marshmallows
• 2 ½ cups mini marshmallows
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 lb. walnut halves
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 4 cups of sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl prepare broken chocolate bars, chocolate chips, and butter pieces.
2. In a heavy saucepan combine sugar, evaporated milk, and 2 ½ cups mini marshmallows.
3. Bring to boil over medium heat stirring constantly, then continue to cook and stir at a light but steady boil for seven minutes.
4. Remove and immediately pour over chocolate and butter in bowl.
5. With a wooden spoon stir until chocolate and butter are melted and well blended. Stir until it loses some "shine".
6. Stir in frozen marshmallows, vanilla, and nuts.
7. Pour into buttered pans.
8. Refrigerate for 1.5 hours - keep refrigerated.

Does your family immediately think of a specific food when reflecting on times and memories you’ve shared? Has that recipe or maybe the tradition associated with it changed over time? Take a moment to ponder how your traditions have played a role in gathering your family and pass it on.Preserve an important part of your heritage by sharing recipes, photos, or memories of your family's favorite foods and the stories behind them: