Special Holiday Fudge

 Here is one of my favorite fudge recipes. This special fudge makes a wonderful gift all by itself or in combination with other treats. It tastes something like chocolate-covered raisins. The orange and almond extracts give it that special holiday flavor. 

SPECIAL HOLIDAY FUDGE

 1 and 1/3 cups sugar
1 and 1/3 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup butter or margarine (1/2 stick)
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. orange extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
 1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped pecans 

In large heavy saucepan, combine first 5 ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Boil 5 minutes, stirring with a wire whisk. Remove from heat, stir in chips until melted. Stir in the extracts and then the nuts and raisins. Replace your whisk with a spoon and beat by hand until glossy, 30 to 60 seconds. If needed, you may add up to 2 Tblsp. water to make it glossy, but you probably won't need to. (I have never added the water.) Turn into a buttered 11 x 7-inch or 9 x 12-inch pan. Cool completely, then cut in squares. 

This fudge is absolutely wonderful! It really tastes like Christmas! I found the recipe in my favorite cooking newsletter, Cook & Tell , and have made it nearly every Christmas since then.