Mackinac Island Peanut Butter Fudge

One of my favorite places to visit every summer is Mackinac Island. Two of my favorite things to do while on the island is ride my bike around the perimeter of the island and then walk through town going in and out of all of the fudge shops looking for free samples. I'm so happy I found this recipe so I can make my own fudge between visits up north. I bought this recipe booklet called Mackinac Fudge Recipes for my cookbook swap partner. I hope she doesn't mind me posting a few of the recipes here on Zaar.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 64
• Yields: 64 pieces

Ingredients

• 3  cups sugar
• 1  cup  condensed milk
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 3  ounces  unsweetened baking chocolate
• 5  tablespoons peanut butter
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup peanuts (optional)
• 2  dashes salt

Directions

1. Butter 8 inch square baking dish.
2. In a saucepan, melt together milk, water and chocolate.
3. Stir in sugar and salt.
4. Over moderate heat, bring to soft ball, about 234 degrees F. on a candy thermometer, stirring frequently. Keep bottom of pan free of lumps.
5. Remove pan from heat.
6. Add peanut butter, vanilla and nuts.
7. DO NOT stir.
8. When mixture cools to 150 degrees F, stir until it loses its sheen.
9. Turn rapidly into buttered dish.
10. When firm, cut into 1-inch squares.