Fudge Factor

A fudge factor is a quantity introduced into a calculation in order to "fudge" the results: that is, to make them match better what happens in the real world.  In other words, if the results can not be absolutely explained or calculated, then you have to account for the differences through some variable or fudge factor.  As part of this holiday season of gift giving, people frequently prepare homemade cookies and candies, with fudge being one of the favorites, and boy do I have a story about fudge.

My older brother was the Graham Kerr amongst the boys.  He made lasagna, beef stroganoff, and a mean pecan pie, but he was the one who taught me how to make the "never fail fudge".  I recall my mother using candy thermometers and double boilers, which really intimidated me, but he said, "you don't need any of that; just use the recipe on the back of the Kraft marshmallow creme jar".  Certainly, I could read the directions; but there was a trick to it, and he was going to share that with me.  Boy, was I excited.  We mixed several of the ingredients together and brought all of that to a boil.  Without using the thermometer, we just cooked it at a rolling boil for 5 minutes, and then added the remaining elements.  After letting it set overnight, we had perfect fudge the next day.  Easy as "pie", I said to myself.  Anyone can do that.

However, the next time I decided to take my new found skill to the kitchen, I didn't quite end up with the "never" fail fudge, but ended up with a hideous, granular mixture of the ingredients that, well, failed at becoming fudge.  So, back to the master for another lesson I went.  This time, I took careful mental notes of his technique and was determined to never fail again.

Yes, fudge typically finds its way into those holiday tins, but as we "snarf" down those very sweet morsels, do we ever think of the concentration of pure sugar that we are consuming?  Heck no.  It's the holidays, and we aren't about to admit to anyone just how many pieces of fudge we may just have consumed.  If you find yourself in that position, just remind them about the "fudge factor".  In this case, it's whatever number you want it to be, but remember, just leave a little room for another piece!