Chocolate Euphoria Fudge

(Original recipe. (c) 1997 T. Skaarup. May be copied without modification. All rights reserved.)

This was my first variation of E.L.F. Fudge and it's Absolutely Fabulous! (darling) This is an intense fudge rush. I recommend dialing "9-1-..." holding your finger over the last "1" while eating this fudge. Get a Medic Alert bracelet stating you consume Euphoria Fudge. Eat with a designated driver standing by, the motor running, and a straight jacket. You'll need it. Zowheeee!

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk (or small 5 ounce can)
10-12 ounces milk chocolate chips
2-3 ounces neufchatel cheese or cream cheese
5 ounces Marshmallow Creme (more than half but not all the jar)
1 cup pecans or almonds (chopped)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon butter flavor (imitation)

Line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil and set aside. Let the cream cheese come to room temperature.

Heat milk at medium setting until warm then add sugar. Bring to a rolling boil (medium-high) while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Add the Marshmallow Creme and butter. Bring back to a rolling boil for 5 minutes by the clock (start timing once the rolling boil resumes). Add the cream cheese to the boiling mixture about 1 minute before the end of the boil. Cut into small sections to allow easy melting.

If you get brown flakes in the mixture, then turn down the heat a little.

Remove from heat and add vanilla chips and nuts. Stir until creamy and all chips are melted. Now stir in vanilla extract and butter flavor. Mix thoroughly and pour into prepared pan. Cool. Remove from pan, remove foil, cut into squares. Stand back.

Neufchatel Cheese (sold by Philadelphia Brand as "1/3 Less Fat") contains less fat than cream cheese but doesn't lack any of the flavor. It can be substituted 1-for-1 cream cheese.