Cooking with Teens: Mexican Fudge Recipe

I know many of you enjoyed the Peanut Butter Fudge so next up is the super easy chocolate version with a few twists created by Audrey.
Ingredients:
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 package (or 2 cups)Chocolate Chips (the better the quality, the better it turns out)
2 tbsp Butter
1 tsp Vanilla ( we used Mexican Vanilla,found at local Hispanic markets)
**Optional** for Audrey's favorite version:
1 pinch chili powder ( we like the fresh stuff from the Farmer's Market,but bottled is also ok)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves

Tools needed:
Large glass or microwave safe mixing bowl
Rubber spatula
Can Opener
Measuring spoons and cups
Microwave oven

Step One:
Line your pan with either tin foil or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray or grease with butter. Always have the pan ready before starting on your fudge. If you wait until the fudge batter is warm, it will cool off too much while you are lining the pan.

Step two:
Cut off the two tablespoons of butter and add to the bowl.
Open the can of milk and scrape contents into the bowl.
Add the entire package of chocolate chips. Use scissors and not a knife!

Step 3: Cooking!
The contents will not be mixed yet! This is normal. It should look like the last photo. Just leave it like this and place in microwave oven.
Set timer for 1 minute and 30 seconds on high.

Now you have to wait. I realize this is very boring but Audrey felt it was the worst part. Waiting for chocolate is painful for her. ( She can be a bit silly)

After the timer goes off, check your contents. It should look similar to this photo with the butter completely melted.

If it is not melted, add another 30 seconds and keep adding at 10 second intervals until the butter is melted.
Step 4:
Mix it! Take it out carefully from the microwave and using your rubber spatula, mix it vigorously for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes very smooth and all the chocolate is melted into the mixture. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR A CREAMY TEXTURE!
It is worth the few minutes to make this fudge super fantastic.

Step 5:
Adding Audrey's secret ingredients: the cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and chili powder.
Just measure them all and toss them into the mixture and stir in for about one minute. You will barely taste the chili powder but it adds a little extra punch to make this fudge spectacular instead of just good.

Your fudge will be very warm still and ready to pour into the prepared pan.
Use your rubber spatula to get every drop and spread evenly into the pan.

Now you are ready to put this into the fridge for a few hours to set. You will end up with about one pound plus a little more of delicious fudge. This fudge won the Blue Ribbon Award for five years running at the Monterey County Fair for Audrey's older Brother Carl. It was also a big hit at Boy Scout Auctions. It is so chocolatey that it was re-named "Industrial Strength Fudge" by its fans.

Cut it up carefully and try not to eat all of it before anyone else gets to try it. This was a huge hit at the last teen party along with the peanut butter fudge.