By: Kimberly Boyd
Growing up I think I had some of the best grandparents a kid could ask for. They were the sweetest people you could possibly have ever met. They didn’t have a lot of money, but they had tons of love, an abundance of wisdom, and lots of Jesus. One thing I remember about my Grandpa was walking around outside with him and finding buckeyes on the ground. He would pick it up and say, “Now, put it in your pocket for good luck!” My pockets were always full of buckeyes, rocks, and treasures we found.
One Christmas, I was about fourteen years old. My momma was hosting the big Schlinker family Christmas at our house. I remember Momma having us clean and then clean some more getting ready for all her family coming over. It was going to be a feast to remember. My momma has tons of brothers and sisters, so the Schlinker Christmas was always huge every year.
My aunts, uncles and cousins started gathering in carrying all their covered dishes that smelled wonderful. After our feast, Grandma passed out little gifts to all of us grandkids. It wasn’t anything big, but it was given in love. Coloring books and candy canes was the usual gift. Then, it was time for music. As tradition, all my uncles gather around with their guitars and harmonicas and sing Christmas Carols. However, this Christmas, they didn’t rush to sing, and instead they all disappeared. I remember going to look for them wondering why it wasn’t time to sing. I went to search outside, because, sometimes, they would play a game of basketball. However, I still couldn’t find them.
An hour passed by, and I heard a truck pull up and some commotion at the front door. I ran outside and I saw my uncles carrying an old upright piano through our front door. I ran to my momma and asked her what was going on and she said, “Go ask your grandma.” So, I ran to my Grandma and asked her why my uncles were carrying a piano through our door.
She said, “Well, honey, someone wanted to give me this piano, but I told them I had a granddaughter who would love to have it more. I thought this would be a good Christmas present for you as long as some day you promise me you will play it for me.”
I remember crying, hugging her tight, and thanking her a thousand times! I couldn’t believe it…my very own first piano! Once it was moved in and settled, all my family gathered around, and my aunt sat down to play it. My uncles grabbed their guitars, and we all sang Christmas carols! This was one Christmas I would never forget!…when Grandma gave me a piano!
Always cherish your moments with your grandparents. You never know how long you have to make memories with them. So, in honor of my grandparents and for Day #2 of “Oh, Fudge!” I bring you the recipe Grandpa’s Buckeye Fudge!
Grandpa’s Buckeye Fudge
Ingredients:
This is a two-layer fudge.
Peanut Butter Layer:
1 cup of Butter
1 cup of Creamy Peanut Butter
1 teaspoon of Vanilla
3 ¾ cups of Powdered Sugar
Chocolate Layer:
7 oz Sweetened Condense Milk
(This is a ½ can.)
1 ½ cup of Chocolate Chips
2 tablespoons of Butter
Directions:
Peanut Butter Layer needs to be made first.
Line a 8×9 pan with parchment paper or foil then grease the pan with cooking spray or butter.
Combine peanut butter and vanilla in a glass bowl. Then, melt mixture in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir to combine. It should be smooth and creamy. Slowly, add in powdered sugar with just a cup or so at a time. Stir and combine thoroughly. You do not want lumps. Last, press the peanut butter mix in the pan.
Now it’s time to make the Chocolate layer. Combine milk, chocolate, and butter in another glass bowl. Heat in the microwave for 90 seconds. Remove and stir the mixture. Cook another 15 seconds in the microwave. Remove and stir until smooth. Do NOT overcook in the microwave. If you do, the chocolate will not pour well over the peanut butter layer. Pour this chocolate layer over the Peanut Butter Layer. To level the chocolate, you may have to lift your pan and slightly shift it back and forth to even out your chocolate layer.
Place Grandpa’s Buckeye Fudge in the refrigerator to cool for a couple of hours until firm. This fudge is good to store for up to a week in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
