I just finished mailing treats to all our children and their families to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This is an activity I love, and one I repeat for Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving (Christmas has its own special offerings). I so love sending these brown paper packages and I suspect the kids enjoy seeing them on their doorsteps.

Since I got rave reviews for the fudge I sent last year, I sent the same fudge this time. I almost never repeat a treat, but this one is really good, and so easy to make. The recipe comes from a small book I purchased on Mackinac Island several years ago.

Double Chocolate Fudge (adapted from a recipe submitted to Mackinac Fudge                                                    Recipes by Tiffany Hall-Graham)

• 2 cups (12 ounces ) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 package (11 1/2 ounces) milk chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons cream or milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt the 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips with 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon of milk or cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla over low heat. You will need to tend it and stir constantly. Spread the mixture into a foil lined 9 inch square pan. In another saucepan, melt the milk chocolate chips with the remaining sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon of cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Remove from heat and spread this mixture over the fudge already in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips over the top, slightly pressing them into the fudge. Chill for 2 hours or until firm. Remove the foil from the fudge and cut into desired pieces. This will yield about 2 1/2 pounds of fudge.

Fudge is best stored in the refrigerator. Wrap the fudge in waxed paper and then wrap it in aluminum foil. If you wish to keep it for up to 3 months you can store it, wrapped, in the freezer. Remember to always allow the fudge to come to room temperature before cutting it into serving pieces.

I used this recipe as part of my post last February which highlighted the Island as a great destination for a family vacation. I am sharing the recipe again this year and hope you might also take a look at the entire original post, Mackinac Fudge for Your Valentine…and a Vintage Island.

Happy Valentine’s Day…I wish you many hugs and kisses to give and to receive!