WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (2024)

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (1)

Today is National Penuche Fudge Day. We know what you're thinking: What the f*ck is penuche fudge? Penuche, or panucci in Italian, is fudge made with brown sugar, milk, butter and a hint of vanilla -- but no chocolate. What sets penuche apart from other fudge is the brown sugar -- most fudge is made with white sugar. The brown sugar lends butterscotch and maple tones to this New England favorite, which may be enhanced by adding actual maple syrup in some cases. Penuche can also be made with evaporated milk or nuts, like walnuts or pecans.

In the South, penuche fudge is often referred to as Brown Sugar Fudge Candy, and in addition to making penuche fudge, people also use penuche to make frosting. It may not be the prettiest dessert, but people swear by penuche. Brown sugar is one of those ingredients that can make a huge difference in your cooking and baking. Its dark color and flavor is due to its molasses content -- between three to seven percent, depending on the kind of brown sugar (light or dark). The hint of molasses yields a spicier, richer flavor than regular white sugar.

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While the origins of brown sugar-based fudge aren't entirely known, some people believe the idea for penuche fudge came from former Boston Bruins player Mark Penuche in 1924, who had a known love for maple syrup. According to Merriam-Webster, however, the word penuche comes from the Mexican Spanish word panocha, which means raw sugar.

Wherever the origin of penuche fudge may lie, it has become a New England favorite and a staple in fudge stores across the country. In honor of National Penuche Fudge Day, step outside your comfort zone and look past the questionable designation of a food holiday in honor of this treat, 'cuz it's time to try some penuche.

1

Classic Penuche Fudge

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (2)

Endlessly Inspired

Get the Classic Penuche Fudge recipe from Endlessly Inspired

2

Penuche Fudge With Evaporated Milk

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (3)

Martha Stewart

Get the Penuche Fudge With Evaporated Milk recipe from Martha Stewart

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4

Pecan Penuche With Chocolate & Sea Salt

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (5)

Rook No. 17

Get the Pecan Penuche With Chocolate & Sea Salt recipe from Rook No. 17

5

Penuche Fudge With Almond Milk

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (6)

Pies and Plots

Get the Penuche Fudge With Almond Milk recipes from Pies and Plots.

6

Spice Cake With Penuche Frosting

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (7)

dramatic pancake

Get the Spice Cake With Penuche Frosting recipe from dramatic pancake

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7

Penuche Fudge With Half And Half Cream

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (8)

Radishes And Rhubarb

Get the Penuche Fudge With Half And Half Cream recipe from Radishes And Rhubarb

8

Pumpkin Cookies With Penuche Frosting

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (9)

Bunny's Warm Oven

Get the Pumpkin Cookies With Penuche Frosting recipe from Bunny's Warm Oven

9

Penuche With Powdered Sugar

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (10)

Frugal Antics

Get the Penuche With Powdered Sugar recipe from Frugal Antics

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10

Penuche Bars

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (11)

Tastes Better From Scratch

Get the Penuche Bars recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch

11

Buttery Rich Penuche Fudge

WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (12)

The Culinary Life

Get the Buttery Rich Penuche Fudge recipe from The Culinary Life

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WTF Is Penuche Fudge, Anyway? (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of penuche fudge? ›

pə-ˈnō-chə : fudge made usually of brown sugar, butter, cream or milk, and nuts.

What flavor is penuche fudge? ›

Penuche often has a tannish color, and is lighter than regular fudge. It is formed by the caramelization of brown sugar; thus, its flavor is said to be reminiscent of caramel. Nuts, especially pecans, are often added to penuche for texture, frequently in the making of penuche candies.

Where did penuche come from? ›

Penuche is a flavor that is native to New England, or perhaps with roots that can even be traced back to Portugal. But wherever it comes from, its caramel-like goodness has earned the treat nationwide respect – so much so that it got its own day in the calendar!

What is the slang word fudge mean? ›

When fudge is a verb, it means to avoid straightforwardly answering a question or addressing a subject: "Just answer my question and don't fudge the issue!" Fudge is an American word from college slang meaning "a made-up story."

What does fudge mean in bad words? ›

1. : foolish nonsense. often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief. 2. : a soft creamy candy made typically of sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring.

What is the most popular flavor of fudge? ›

After years of testing recipes, we're pretty sure we have a handle on the most popular fudge flavors, but chocolate and cherry will always rank high on the list.

Why is fudge a Michigan thing? ›

By most accounts, the first batch of fudge was concocted in Baltimore in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, fudge-making arrived on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan, which today has a legitimate claim as the modern day fudge capital.

What's the difference between caramel and fudge? ›

What is fudge? While caramel usually contains just one key ingredient, fudge is made from a perfectly balanced mixture of sugar, butter, and milk. Plus, it's not heated as high — around 115 degrees Celsius.

How do Southerners say caramel? ›

If you are from southern Texas, the Deep South or many of the Southern states or the Eastern seaboard, even up into and throughout Maine, you probably pronounce this yummy word with THREE syllables 'care- uh- mell'.

What is the difference between fudge and penuche? ›

Penuche, or panucci in Italian, is fudge made with brown sugar, milk, butter and a hint of vanilla -- but no chocolate.

Is penuche fudge Italian? ›

National Penuche Fudge Day on July 22nd recognizes the creamy candy with an Italian name. If you like maple flavor, this nut-filled fudge is for you! Hands down the best fudge out there to make.

What country invented fudge? ›

Culinary legend has it that fudge was invented in America. On Valentine's Day, 1886, a confectioner and chocolate maker in Baltimore, Maryland "fudged" a batch of French caramels. The delicious result? The very first batch of "fudge" ever.

What is the meaning of the word penoche? ›

Definitions of penoche. noun. fudge made with brown sugar and butter and milk and nuts. synonyms: panocha, panoche, penuche. type of: fudge.

What is the original meaning of fudge? ›

The term fudge is said to have originated in the 17th century from the verb fadge and means "to fit together in a clumsy manner".

What's the difference between caramel and caramel fudge? ›

What is fudge? While caramel usually contains just one key ingredient, fudge is made from a perfectly balanced mixture of sugar, butter, and milk. Plus, it's not heated as high — around 115 degrees Celsius.

What is the difference between penuche and Panocha? ›

Penuche is found by the following spellings: penuchi, panocha, penocha, penochi, pinuche, and probably many other ways. No matter the spelling, the candy is all the same. It has an old-fashioned quality to it, making it a great addition to the latest candy flavors when making a candy plate selection.

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