After a couple of weeks away from the kitchen to let my burns and ego heal, I returned to the scene of the sugar crime. I mean, we’ve all heard, “when you fall off a horse, you get right back on.”

As I mentioned in the last blog, I know there will be trials and tribulations in my quest to find a fulfilling hobby. But I truly believe I can find something I’m good at and enjoy simultaneously. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, baking has turned out to be a sweet treat of a challenge.

iPad to the rescue

Since my previous recipe card was a victim of the carnage from the sugar debacle, I had to turn to my trusty iPad to recover it.

With this being what feels like the 826th time I’ve attempted this recipe, I was able to mix everything together fairly quickly. I even had time to shop online for silver leaf (which will be part of a hobby project in the coming weeks).

Flashbacks

As I watched the temperature in the candy thermometer rise, I felt confidence that I would get it right this time. I stayed true to the recipe. I was paying attention (in between silver leaf research). I had everything prepared for a simple mixture. I was going to succeed over ‘never fail peanut butter fudge.’

Then it happened. The sugar/milk mixture started to rise. The candy thermometer hadn’t reached softball stage yet. What was I supposed to do?!

I suddenly had flashbacks to smoke filling my apartment. I looked down and saw where my finger still has a scar (and a bit of nerve damage), and I just knew I couldn’t take this chance again.

I pulled the pot off the stove and poured the liquid ooze into the waiting mixing bowl with the rest of the ingredients.

It looked lumpy. I had to pull out a whisk to smooth everything out. My spirits dropped. I just knew it wasn’t going to be right. I didn’t even bother to document with photos.

Peanut butter fudge pudding

I let the fudge sit overnight, with hopes it would firm up while I dreamt of sugar plums.

Unfortunately, it didn’t. While it tasted like the fudge I love, the consistency was much closer to pudding.

Luckily, I have friends who don’t care. They like peanut butter no matter what form it comes in. The concoction was gone within 24 hours.

For me: On to attempt 827.