Two down, seven to go …

… here comes the chocolate – in the form of fudge from The Little Book of Chocolat :

Chocolate Fudge

400g dark or milk chocolate, broken into small

even sized pieces

25g butter

397 can condensed milk

100 icing sugar

30g cocoa powder, sifted

Line a 20cm square tin with baking parchment.

Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie. In a non-stick saucepan, melt the butter and gently warm the condensed milk. Add the melted chocolate and mix well until smooth. Beat in the icing sugar until blended and smooth.

Put the mixture into the prepared tin, spread evenly into the corners, smooth over the top and place in the fridge to set for at least an hour. Remove and cut into small squares and dust with cocoa.

The recipe also mentions serving the fudge warm with ice cream.

Here are a few hints and tips I hope you'll find useful :

Use chocolate drops if you can get hold of them – they are all the same size and your chocolate will melt evenly.

Your squares should be approximately 2cm – don't panic – it's a guide. You can use a ruler if you want. There's always an edge when you remove from a tin. I trim the edges – don't throw them away – we'll come back to these later.

Use unsalted butter.

Sift the icing sugar – you'll be glad you did since it almost always has lumps in it. The most effective way of sifting icing sugar is to both sift and measure at the same time. Place a mixing bowl on your scales and set to zero. Spoon a quantity of icing sugar into your sieve, holding it over the bowl. Using a dessert spoon, bowl side down in the sugar, move in a circle forcing the sugar through until you've got the required amount. Keeps the washing up to a minimum!

As is usual I've popped a box in the freezer and will retrieve in a week to see how it has fared.

Remember the recipe in the book mentions serving the fudge warm with ice cream – use the trimmed edges set aside earlier - cut into cubes and melt in the microwave for 20 seconds on a medium heat. If you want the fudge to be a smoother consistency then add another 10 seconds.

Sorry if you'd given up chocolate this month!

P.s. Freezer report – I boxed the fudge and froze for a week – it was as good as it was when made so ideal if you want to make ahead or stash it so it doesn't disappear when you're not looking. Fridge it straight from the freezer – it's really good cold.