Featured Recipe Conversation Heart Fudge

CONVERSATION HEART CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Coat a 9-inch round and a 9-inch square cake pan (2 inches deep) with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mixes as directed; divide between the pans. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Let the cakes cool, then remove from the pans. Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level. Cut the round cake in half as shown.
• Working on a cake board (you can cut the board into a heart shape to fit the cake) or a cutting board, position the 2 half circles of cake against 2 sides of the square cake to make a heart.
• Cover the cake with the white frosting, using the frosting to fill in any gaps between the cakes.
• Combine the marshmallows and water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, stirring with a rubber spatula, until melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the green food coloring and stir until smooth.
• Transfer the marshmallow mixture to a stand mixer. Gradually add all but 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar and beat until combined. Beat in the butter.
• Scrape the marshmallow fondant onto a sheet of parchment and knead in confectioners' sugar until it's no longer sticky. Dust the parchment with more sugar; roll out the fondant until it's large enough to cover the cake, at least 13 by 16 inches.
• Carefully flip the parchment and fondant onto the cake; peel off the parchment. Gently press the fondant against the sides of the cake and smooth with your hands; trim the excess. Brush off the extra sugar.
• Use the wide end of a chopstick to press letters into the fondant (it's best to do this before the fondant dries out). Use a small brush to paint hot pink or red food coloring in the letter indentations.

CONVERSATION HEART FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
• In a medium-size, microwave-safe bowl, combine the dark chocolate layer ingredients. Microwave the mixture on high at 30-second intervals until the chocolate is melted (about a minute), stirring at each interval. When the mixture's smooth, use a spatula to spread it evenly into the prepared pan.
• In another medium-size microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate layer ingredients. Repeat the melting process as described in step 2, but stir at 20-second intervals, as white chocolate tends to scorch easily. Spread the white chocolate evenly over the dark chocolate layer.
• While the fudge is still warm, use a knife to gently score it into 1-inch squares, then put a candy heart on top of each square.
• Chill the fudge uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm. Lift the foil to remove the fudge from the pan and place the whole hunk of fudge on a cutting board. Use a large knife (a parent's job) to cut apart the squares, then peel off the foil from the bottom.
• Place each fudge square into a foil bonbon cup or mini muffin cup. Center the cup on a cellophane square and wrap it using 1-inch pieces of pipe cleaner to secure the ends. Makes 64 bite-size pieces. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for added firmness.

CREAMY FUDGE HEARTS

Steps:

• Lightly oil a 9-inch-square pan. (A smaller pan will make the fudge thicker and more difficult to cut.) Place milk in a heavy 12-quart saucepan. Stir in sugar; add butter. Over medium heat, stir constantly, until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Increase heat to medium high, bring to a boil, and cover with lid. Let boil for 2 minutes, and uncover. Do not stir; clip a candy thermometer on side of pan, and let mixture boil, over medium-low heat, until it reaches 240 degrees (the soft-ball stage), 15 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare an ice water bath.
• Immediately remove pan from heat, and dip the base of the pan in the ice water for 5 seconds. Let the fudge sit at room temperature without stirring, with the thermometer attached, until the thermometer reads 122 degrees and mixture is lukewarm, about 40 minutes. If using food coloring, add 1 drop. Stir the fudge with a wooden spoon until it changes from glossy to opaque and is thick and creamy, 2 to 5 minutes. Quickly pour into prepared pan. Use piece of plastic wrap to smooth fudge into the pan, creating an even surface. Let cool completely, 2 to 3 hours, and cut with 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch heart cookie cutters. (Oil the cutters with the canola oil inside and out before using.) Fudge will keep, well wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

FEATURED RECIPE: CONVERSATION HEART FUDGE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the macadamia nuts and white chocolate. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.