A little reason to celebrate
National Penuche Fudge Day
Food ยท July 22
A day for penuche, the brown sugar fudge with a caramel flavor and a soft, grainy melt, often studded with nuts.
National Penuche Fudge Day falls on Thursday, July 22, 2027. That is 268 days away.
Penuche is fudge made with brown sugar instead of white. The sugar is cooked with milk or cream and butter, then beaten as it cools until it turns thick and pale. The result tastes a lot like caramel, with a hint of butterscotch, and it has a soft, slightly grainy texture that melts quickly.
It usually comes without chocolate, which surprises people who think of fudge as a chocolate thing by default. Vanilla is the common flavoring, and chopped walnuts or pecans often go in at the end. In New England it turns up at candy shops and church sales, cut into neat squares and wrapped in wax paper.
Making it at home takes patience more than skill. The mixture is cooked to the soft ball stage, left alone to cool for a while, then stirred hard until it loses its shine. Stir too early and it can turn coarse. Stir too long and it sets in the pan before it reaches the dish. A candy thermometer helps, and so does a friend who can take a turn at the spoon.
The name is often linked to panocha, a Spanish word for raw brown sugar, which suits a candy built around that flavor. Penuche keeps well in a tin for several days, and a few pieces travel nicely in a lunch bag or a coat pocket.
Ways to celebrate
- Try making a small batch of penuche with brown sugar, butter and milk.
- Look for penuche at a local candy shop or bakery.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans to your fudge.
- Share a few wrapped squares with a neighbor or coworker.
- Compare penuche side by side with a piece of chocolate fudge.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, July 22 |
| 2027 | Thursday, July 22 |
| 2028 | Saturday, July 22 |
| 2029 | Sunday, July 22 |
| 2030 | Monday, July 22 |
Also on July 22
Categories: Food days