Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: July 22nd, 2021 did you know today is National Penuche Day? Do you know what that is because I didn’t which lead to a #TeachingMoment for me and Charlie.
National Penuche Fudge Day is on July 22 in the United States. Have you ever wondered what Penuche means? Penuche is a type of Fudge made with Butter, Milk, and Brown Sugar and flavored lightly with Vanilla. Penuche Fudge has a lighter texture than regular Fudge.
An easy way to distinguish Penuche Fudge from regular Fudge is by its color — Penuche Fudge often has a tannish color due to the Caramelization of Brown Sugar. Penuche Fudge does not require too many ingredients and is easy to make. This Fudge is best enjoyed with a steaming hot cup of Coffee but I think I would prefer Milk or Tea. How about you?
History of National Penuche Fudge Day
Penuche Fudge is a popular dish in New England and some places in the American South, though in the latter it is known as Brown Sugar Fudge Candy.
In Hawaii, Penuche is known as ‘Panocha’ or ‘Panuche.’ ‘Sucre à la Crème’ is a similar confection that is traditionally prepared and widely consumed during the Winter Holiday season in Quebec.
Making Penuche Fudge is actually quite easy the process starts with mixing Brown Sugar, Butter, and Milk. The mix is then heated and set aside to cool. When the mixture cools down a bit, flavorings ( Nuts, Vanilla, or Maple Syrup) can be added. Then the mixture is whipped until thick and poured into a pan. A few hours are set aside for the Penuche to be cooled.
Then the Fudge is cut into squares before serving and unlike regular Fudge, Penuche Fudge is never flavored with Chocolate or similar strong flavorings. Penuche Fudge taste is exclusively derived from Brown Sugar, which is the key to its unique flavor. Nuts including Pecans may be added for texture.
National Penuche Fudge Day is the day to try out Penuche Fudge recipes which you can add Walnuts, Cashews, or Almonds to your Fudge for an extra pop of flavor. If you would like to savor a creamy Penuche Fudge, remove the Nuts from the recipe.
If your feeling extra adventurous, you can add light flavorings like Butterscotch to your Penuche Fudge! Whether the Penuche Fudge is store-bought or homemade, you can hardly go wrong. Savor each bite and don’t forget to share your Penuche Fudge with a friend.
Five Facts Penuche:
- Penuche (Italian: Panucci) is a Fudge-like candy made from Brown Sugar, Butter, and Milk, using no flavorings except Vanilla. Penuche often has a tannish color, and is lighter than regular Old Fashioned Fudge.
- Penuche Fudge is formed by Caramelization of Brown Sugar, thus the flavor is said to be reminiscent of Caramel. Nuts, especially Pecans, are often added to Penuche for texture, especially in the making of Penuche Candies including Fudge.
- Penuche Fudge is primarily a regional food, found in New England and some places in the Southern United States, though in the latter Penuche Fudge goes by different names, usually “Brown Sugar Fudge Candy”.
- Penuche is also used as a boiled Icing flavor and once was very popular in Hawaii, its name was localized as Panocha or Panuche.
- Panocha is said to come from the Spanish word for Raw Sugar (but also Spanish slang for “vulva”).
Recipe Penuche Fudge:
2 cups brown Sugar 1 cup White Sugar 1 cup Heavy Cream 2 tablespoons Light Corn Syrup ¼ teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract ½ cup chopped Pecans
Step 1
Butter an 8×8 inch square dish.
Step 2
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine Brown Sugar, White Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup and Salt. Stir until Sugar is dissolved. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of Syrup dropped into cold Water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the Water and placed on a flat surface. Remove from the heat and let cool without stirring until the bottom of the pan is lukewarm. Pour in the Vanilla and beat until Creamy. Stir in the Nuts. Pour into prepared a pan.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
