Penuche Candy, Cake and Cookies

Are you passionate about Penuche? Or is it one of those treasures from days gone by that you’ve never even heard of? Penuchi, Penoche, Panocha (Prounouced peh-NOO-chee) and Brown Sugar Fudge are also names for this rich, caramel-flavored candy resembling smooth, creamy fudge without the chocolate. It was once a hero of the holiday sweets platter and a go-to recipe that grandmother’s were known for.

You’ll need a candy thermometer and a little patience. If you don’t want to tackle the actual candy making, I’ve included a couple of simple recipes for a cake and cookie that have the same, great flavor!

Penuche
1cup brown sugar
2 cups granulated sugar
1 (12 oz.) can Pet evaporated milk
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts, optional (walnuts or pecans)

Grease a 9 X13 inch pan. Bring sugars, milk and baking soda to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until temperature is at soft-ball stage, 236°F, (or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a soft ball.) Cool down to lukewarm, 110°F.

At this point, do not stir or disturb mixture. When temperature reaches 110°F beat in vanilla and nuts for about 5 minutes until mixture holds shape when dropped from a spoon. Pour into pan and gently press down with buttered spatula. Cut into squares when cold.

Penuche Cake Bars
1/2 c. butter
1 1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. milk
1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda

Combine in saucepan butter, brown sugar and milk. Bring to a full boil. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread in greased 13 x 9 inch pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Drizzle with Penuche Frosting.

Penuche Cookies
Add 2/3 cup flour to mixture and drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Drizzle with frosting and top with chopped nuts.

Penuche Frosting
Melt together in saucepan ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in 1 cup powdered sugar.