Easy Maple Nut Fudge-12 Days of Christmas Treats

I love the frosting that comes on maple bars.  This easy fudge is reminiscent of that frosting.  It goes together in less than 10 minutes if the nuts have already been chopped and toasted.  I chop and toast a large batch of nuts at a time and keep them handy in my refrigerator.  Either walnuts or pecans work well in this recipe.  10 minutes of real work and a couple of hours of wait time, and you have another delicious flavor to include in candy gifts.

The maple extract is listed as optional, but you will get a more pronounced maple flavor if you use it.  Measure and then sift the confectioner's sugar.  I actually like to put the sugar through a fine sieve using the back of a spoon

This is a softer fudge than usual, so I keep it well, wrapped in the fridge, cutting it and letting it set to firm up a bit when I serve it.

Maple Nut Fudge
1/4 c butter or margarine (I always use butter)
1/2 c. pure maple syrup
1 T. milk
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 t. maple extract (opt.)
4 1/2 c. confectioners’ sugar, sifted or put through a sieve
1 c. chopped, toasted pecans or walnuts

Line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil.  Spray with non-stick spray.  Melt butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat.  Add maple syrup, milk, vanilla and maple extract.  Stir till well blended.  Remove from heat, add confectioners’ sugar, stirring until sugar is well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.  Stir in pecans or walnuts.  Turn into prepared pan and spread evenly.  Chill in refrigerator until firm.  I like to store this, well-wrapped and uncut in the refrigerator, cutting the fudge as needed and letting it set a while to firm up.  Makes 64 1-inch squares.