a place setting in time: i love lucy (birthday) chocolate fudge with walnuts recipe
Lucille Ball made millions of people laugh. She was an outstanding comedienne who made her mark in television, but also was a film, stage and radio actress. She blazed the way for today’s comediennes. On April 26, 1989 the legendary Lucille Ball passed away at the age of 78, leaving behind a body of work that has brought joy to many generations.
I Love Lucy, probably her most famous endeavor is one of our favorite TV show. However, Lucille Ball had an impressive career that did not start with that television series. She began modeling in 1929 and worked on Broadway during the same period. She was a radio actress and also had roles in many “B” movies; so many that she was called “Queen of the B’S”. Ever flexible, Ball transitioned to television and became a star. She continued to work in television and film, even becoming the first woman to run a television studio (Desilu).
Lucille Ball met and married Desi Arnaz, a Cuban band-leader in 1940 on the production of Too Many Girls. After four years of marriage Ball filed for divorce, but Arnaz and Ball reconciled. In 1948 she was working on a radio program called My Favorite Husband. CBS radio liked her work as a nutty housewife and wanted to make the program into a TV series. They asked Ball to star in the show and she agreed, but insisted that Arnaz be her husband in the series. CBS executives were not sure how well the public would receive them as a couple, Lucille Ball being all-American and Arnaz, from Cuba.
Initially the show was a flop, but instead of canning it Ball and Arnaz took the show on the road, doing a stage act. Lucy played the role of a wacky housewife trying to get into her husband’s nightclub show. The tour proved to be a success and CBS aired I Love Lucy which made Ball a legend.
A bit of trivia about Lucille Ball’s flaming red hair: The gorgeous Ball was a natural brunette. It wasn’t until 1943 when she had a role in DuBarry was a Lady that her hair was dyed red for the first time. It became her trademark.
One of our favorite episodes of I Love Lucy was when Lucy and Ethel (friend and landlord to Ball) worked in a candy factory. We get a kick out of all Lucy’s shenanigans, but particularly the zany times she shares with Ethel. We are just that wacky ourselves! Enjoy a clip from the episode and then make your own fudge, which requires no wrapping!
Chocolate Fudge with Walnuts Ingredients 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1 1/4 cups milk 3 cups sugar 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional Directions 1. In a saucepan heat the chocolate and milk on low, stirring until it's melted. 2. Add the sugar, corn syrup and salt and heat to the softball stage (236 degrees F). Use a candy thermometer to read the temperature. 3. Add the butter and pour into a mixing bowl to cool. 4. Add the vanilla and beat with a paddle until it starts to lighten; then quickly add the nuts. 5. Continue beating on low until it loses its gloss and thickens. Pour into a parchment lined pan and spread evenly. 6. Let cool completely and then cut into 1-inch cubes.
honeywhatscooking
April 27, 2012 at 4:26 am //
this looks decadent. i love how you just put 1/4 cup of butter, that’s not terrible. fudge always reminds me of the beach, in particular, the jersey shore. :) i always pick up chocolate or vanilla fudge with walnuts, so so good!
Jennifer (Delicieux)
April 27, 2012 at 6:23 am //
I remember the candy factory episode, in fact it’s one of my favourites too!! Such a funny and talented woman. Your fudge looks gorgeous too.
kale
April 27, 2012 at 2:41 pm //
Fudge and I Love Lucy, both so comforting and satisfying!!
Amy @ FragrantVanillaCake
April 27, 2012 at 9:14 pm //
I love Lucille Ball! I <3 Lucy is still one of those shows I can watch over again and love it :)! This fudge sounds decadent and delicious! I'll bet it was gone fast ;)!
Jay
April 27, 2012 at 11:37 pm //
cant wait to giv this a try…awesome..:)
Tasty Appetite
Jennifer Eloff
April 28, 2012 at 3:45 am //
I love Lucy was such a funny show! This fudge looks naughty but nice!
myfudo
April 30, 2012 at 7:46 am //
Hi Jennifer, Lucy is such a classic, we really love to catch her episodes = )
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
April 28, 2012 at 5:19 am //
Great story and a couple of classic comedians! The fudge looks beautiful :)
Kat
April 29, 2012 at 3:52 am //
Thanks for the back story, I actually did not know a lot of the details. And a nice tie-in to the fudge, which looks absolutely delicious!
myfudo
April 30, 2012 at 7:44 am //
Hi Kat, so happy you enjoyed the post, it’s amazing at some of the details we found when we are researching for a post. Thanks so much for commenting.
Mary
April 29, 2012 at 3:13 pm //
That is my all-time favorite Lucy clip as well! This fudge looks amazing. I don’t dare make it right now though. It would never last long enough to share with anyone else. It is truly beautiful!
myfudo
April 30, 2012 at 7:44 am //
Isn’t it Mary? We need more Lucy’s in the land of TV, right? Thanks so much for commenting = )
Parsley Sage
April 29, 2012 at 11:44 pm //
NOT A REAL RED-HEAD!? You just blew my mind :(
Awesome fudge, darling. Makes up for you crushing my sense of sanity…
myfudo
April 30, 2012 at 7:43 am //
I know! I thought she was a True Red = )
April @ The 21st Century Housewife
April 30, 2012 at 2:41 am //
I loved Lucy too – and it made me smile to remember the candy episode! Your fudge looks wonderful – so rich and delicious, and I like the addition of the nuts.
myfudo
April 30, 2012 at 7:42 am //
Hi April: We could sit back and watch the older episodes over and over again. She was (and is) a classic. We need more Lucy’s out there in TV land.
Denise@BeBetsy
April 30, 2012 at 6:02 am //
Hi! Thanks for the Twitter follow. We love your blog – you guys are everywhere which is awesome! We love Lucy and we love fudge so good all around.
Pls share your original recipes with our readers :) you can add your link back to your blog! yay. See you soon!
myfudo
April 30, 2012 at 7:41 am //
Thank you so much Denise. We’d love to do a guest posts, just let us know how to participate = )
Cucina49
May 1, 2012 at 4:24 am //
I randomly saw a couple of episodes of “Lucy” while I was at the gym this weekend–I had forgotten how funny it was. The chocolate factory episode–brilliant inspiration for this fudge!
Lorraine
May 4, 2012 at 8:16 pm //
Can’t help but smile remembering that episode : ) This fudge does sound wonderful and as your first commentor mentioned, reminds me of going ‘down the shore’.