Candy Corn, Creamy Chocolate Fudge

I am exhausted. Ever have one of those days, where you weren't gone all day, but in just a short time -- you just feel all the energy just left you? I am having one of those days. I am grateful for a wonderful, hubby, because I hinted that I was craving some sushi and so we had an impromptu date night :) A much needed date night. Sushi -- time with the hubby -- was a perfect way to relax after a tiring day. I just ordered a bunch of sushi just to enjoy little bites of everything I love (but hey, gotta love left overs). I ordered a New York Roll, a Louisiana Roll (I like states rolls apparently ;), as well as my classics, Spicy Tuna and Shrimp Tempura. Yum!

We went to one of my favorite places -- 40 Tempura (where I usually ask to go on my birthday) but this time, I was quite disappointed. I am definitely a customer who is willing to give a bad tip if the service was horrible and a large tip if I loved the service. I try to be patient and understanding, but something's just get to me. The waitress we got today, would not refill our water, when I asked for spicy mayo would give me a squirt -- like what the hey -- and when she offered to put my extra sushi to go (which I would have happily done myself)-- she just dumped all the sushi on top of one another and smushed it together -- so some of the sushi just fell apart! Ugh! Do NOT mess with my sushi ;) She was clearly messing with me on the wrong day -- so not only did I tip her not very well BUT I also left a note on my receipt about how I did not enjoy her service and how she disappointed me in a place I usually love to go! Bummer...

Let's end on a good note, shall we? And what better way to end then chocolate FUDGE! I LOVE fudge. One of my favorite recipes is my Soft Dark Chocolate M&M Fudge (deeee-licous). But that has been my only fudge recipe. And so I have been looking for another opportunity to make fudge ever since. And what better opportunity than my Spooktacular countdown! Plus, it was a great and easy to way to incorporate candy corn again. I always used to think fudge was hard to make. I mean something that awesome cannot be that easy, right? But it is one of the easiest things to make! Like E-A-S-Y! And always so yummy. I have been eating fudge ever since this morning!

 

CANDY CORN, CREAMY CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Adapted from All Recipes

INGREDIENTS

2/3 c. evaporated milk
1 1/2 c. sugar
pinch of salt
1/4 c. (1/2 stick) of butter 
1 (7 oz.) jar of marshmallow creme
3 c. chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2-1 c. of candy corn

DIRECTIONS

Line a 8x8 baking dish with aluminum foil. Grease aluminum foil with butter, shortening or cooking spray. This will help when removing fudge from baking dish, and easier, cleaner cutting into squares.

In a large saucepan over medium heat whisk together evaporated milk, sugar, salt and butter.  Once combined, add in marshmallow creme. Marshmallow creme will dissolve with continued stirring. Bring contents to a boil, all the while constantly stirring. Do not stop stirring as it will burn. Once boiling, cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips, one cup at a time, until completely melted and mixture is smooth. Then stir in vanilla. Pour into prepared baking dish. Let sit for about 5 minutes, to slightly harden. Sprinkle candy corn over the top of the fudge and gently push in candy corn to set. Refrigerate for approximately 2 hours or until firm.

Enjoy,
Chika

Candy Corn M&M Cookie Bars

Remember in elementary school when it was Halloween, and you got to bring your costume to school? And then towards the end of the day, you got to stop schoolwork early, change into your costume and enjoy treats that all the parents sent with their kids to school?! I loved it! It was so fun. I was a red devil, a witch, Frankenstein. Looking back, I loved how my parents never forced me to be anything girly -- I got to be whatever I wanted to be :) I hope that when I have kids, I'll push them to think outside of the box for their costumes and not just be a "princess" or "superhero" but maybe a "princess superhero" :) Well, its clear from Facebook that the Halloween celebrations have begun! I love seeing all the costumes, especially the creative ones!

Hopefully either you, your significant other, child or all of the above have  a Halloween party coming up for which you plan to make some treats for. For that I bring you Day 4 of my Spooktacular countdown to Halloween. Candy corn epitomizes Halloween treats -- I know, I know, Halloween is associated with treats in general, but if you could think of one sweet that is Halloween and only available around Halloween -- it is candy corn! Well, last year, the hubby found these candy corn M&Ms and decided to try it. I knew I wanted to incorporate candy corn into my Spooktacular countdown. I thought of these M&Ms from last year, and decided they would be a creative twist to a candy corn dessert.

I really enjoy cookie bars, because you get the fun of a cookie but the ease of a bar. Because you just get to dump the batter in a baking dish and let it bake :) Super duper easy, right?! They came out perfect! They smelled so wonderful coming out of the oven -- the mix of white chocolate and candy corn M&Ms in a cookie batter...mmmm....just how a home should smell during Halloween. I gave some to Justin and Luke, and Ashley is going to swing by in a bit to get the rest. The hubby is having a hard time keeping up with eating all the sweets since I am making a new one each day. Hahahaha...he could use all the help he can get ;)

CANDY CORN M&M COOKIE BARS 

Cookie bar adapted from Bakestravaganza

INGREDIENTS

2 1/8 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. white chocolate chips
9.9 oz. candy corn M&Ms, divided

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, sift and then whisk together flour and baking soda. Set aside. Then in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment cream together butter and sugars, approximately 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add egg and egg yolk, followed by vanilla -- mixing until well combined. Stir in dry ingredients until just incorporated. Do not over mix. Remove from mixer and, using a spatula, fold in white chocolate chips and half of the M&Ms.

Line a 9x13 or 9x15 baking dish with aluminum foil. Grease aluminum foil with butter, shortening or cooking spray. This will help when removing bars from baking dish, allow for cooling, and easier, cleaner cutting into squares.

Spread batter evenly in baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms evenly onto the top of the batter and gently press in. Bake 30-35 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to completely cool before cutting into squares.

Enjoy,
Chika