Leftover Easter Candy Fudge

Before Easter, my best friend Lauren and I were discussing how, now that we have children, sometimes the anticipation of holidays is more fun than the actual experience of them.

You envision this fabulous day of family togetherness and tradition... when the actuality is a totally overwhelmed little munchkin, all hopped up on sugar, who is likely to crash and burn at any moment.

Surprisingly... that did not happen this Easter.

Despite a steady intake of chocolate eggs and jellybeans and only a 30-minute power nap in the car, the Mini was pretty much a rockstar.

She hunted eggs like a champ (they had more chocolate treats in them - duh), and despite a few tears over pictures, she was mostly kind to our family members to boot.

Egg hunting pro.. with a little help from Dad 

"Look Mom... more chaw-colate."

It's funny to me that we ended up with such a little treat monster.  In fact, she loves food in general.  She points it out in books, is obsessed with pretend food, and is relentless in her pursuit of another snack.  ("Mommy - I want sumpin'.")

I wasn't sure how she would be, just because Mr. Vittles is an "eat to live" kinda guy and I'm a "live to eat" kinda gal.  I figured it could have gone either way.  But as a true Mini Smalls, she takes after her mommy.  Food is forever on the brain.

When I put her to bed the night before Easter, she sighed and said "I hope the Easter Bunny brings me treats."

And he did.  He brought the whole Vittles family treats, in fact.  Hence, this fudge.

This would also be great with leftover Halloween candy. Or half-price candy that you buy on clearance after either holiday.

Er, not that I would know anything about that.

Leftover Easter Candy Fudge

• 2 1/2 C. sugar
• 4 T. butter
• 1 5-oz. can evaporated milk
• 1 7.5-oz. jar Marshmallow creme (such as Fluff)
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 1 12-oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 C. chopped candy of your choice (I used Cadbury Mini Eggs)

Grease a 9" square pan, or line with nonstick foil.  Set aside.

Combine sugar through salt ingredients in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.  Stir until melted.

Increase heat to medium and bring mixture to a boil (do not mistake air bubbles for boiling).  Boil slowly, lowering heat slightly if necessary, and stir constantly for 5 minutes or until mixture reaches softball stage (about 235 degrees Fahrenheit).

Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla.  Then stir in chocolate chips, and mix until chips are completely melted and combined with the marshmallow syrup.

Pour into prepared pan, and jiggle pan to level mixture.  Sprinkle with chopped candy, and press gently to set.  Allow mixture to cool completely and slice into squares.

Recipe Adapted from Durkee Mower Inc, as posted on MarshmallowFluff.com