Info

Information

Hours

Frankenmuth Location
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Rochester Hills (Yates) Location (Open September through November)
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History

Fudge - WindowJust before graduation from U. of D., I decided to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. After all of the testing was done and the U.S. Air Force recruiting office interview commenced on November 23, 1963, the phone rang…with the news that President Kennedy had been shot! The interview was terminated. I was never called back. Instead, a beer with my best friend, Jim Garrahy (aka:“Mort”) at the Puppet Room in Grosse Pointe Michigan, turned into a wild ride for “Mort” and I. Two twenty two-year-old guys with no jobs, no money, no cars, and still living at home convinced the “Small Business Administration” to lend us $6000. It was a dream that did come true!

First Batch - July 1964We opened our first fudge shop in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on June 1, 1964. That Original Fudge Shop is still open today. As we built counters with my Dad and friends, ordered products and equipment, the shop was coming together. However, we had one big problem…neither “Mort” nor I had ever made a complete batch of fudge…from start to finish. “Mort” had never even seen fudge!

I had only stirred fudge on Mackinac Island. I was never allowed to cream, loaf, or shine a hand stirred fudge batch! Undeterred, we coated the windows with “Bon Ami” so, nobody could see us testing our fudge making techniques…Then, we tried our first batch, then the second, then the third, and so on…Fear was in our hearts. What had we done??? Was there a secret ingredient we had missed??!!!? Mort was ticked at me! He yelled, “What? You’ve never made fudge?” “No, I’ve only stirred fudge!” I whimpered. “But, I’m positive I can do it, unless there is a secret formula or ingredient I don’t know about!” You could either drink it with a straw or build a house with it. Every failed fudge batch was greeted warmly by our furry friends as we dumped it in the nearby woods to cover our failures. THEN, FINALLY!, IT HAPPENED! WE HAD MAPLE FUDGE! It was creamy and delicious. From then on it was smooth sailing. Fudge MakingLife’s too short. My good friend, “Mort”, passed away in 2012 in Gettysburg, PA after establishing 79 fudge shops all over the world and fighting a long battle with Cancer. He left us with many memories of an exceptional human being with an extraordinary sense of humor and a warm heart that expanded beyond the imagination. God Bless Mort!In 1976, we expanded the fudge business to Frankenmuth. I commuted 259 miles between the Soo and Frankenmuth for 8 years. Fudge was a seasonal business in Frankenmuth too, so I could still write taxes all winter. By 1984 it was necessary to sell our house, pack up the kids and the dog and drive with my wife’s teary eyes to Frankenmuth. It wasn't long before we all realized that Frankenmuth was “the place” to be. How lucky we've been to live in two great places to raise our family! Today I’m still “fudging it”. Carol and I are very involved with our business as is our oldest daughter, Abby and our son, Zak. The other children are happy doing their “own thing” in Colorado and Connecticut. McClellan Properties is a Michigan Fudge Business with 9 shops all the way from Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula to Rochester, just north of Detroit. Fudge has become Michigan’s favorite candy with the Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen as the Best of the Best!

In 2013, Frankenmuth Fudge was selected as the official fudge of the Emmy Awards. I offer congratulations to our Fudge Staff and especially to my son, Zak, who will continue this Fudge Business far into the future.

Fudge Demonstrations

Fudge Demonstration - Creaming the fudge

We make all of our fudge right in front of your eyes! Our highly skilled fudge artisans love explaining the interesting process of making Michigan's Best Fudge! If you have a larger group please feel free to contact us below so we can setup a time to dedicate to your group. Great for field trips!


Storing Fudge

Fudge is best stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks wrapped up in its original wax paper. NEVER REFRIGERATE your fudge as this will draw out the moisture and leave you with dry, crumbly fudge.

Freezing Fudge

Most of the time fudge is consumed within the first week...however, if you plan on keeping it past the 3 week shelf life then you can freeze your fudge for up to a year by following this simple process.

  1. Wrap your fudge in an air-tight container. Several layers of saran wrap, vacuum seal, Tupperware should all keep the moisture locked in pretty good.
  2. A couple hours before you would like to enjoy your fudge, take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw out on your counter.
  3. ENJOY!

Hard Fudge?

If fudge is left unwrapped or accidentally put in a cold area/refrigerator then the result can be hard fudge. It is possible (but not guaranteed) to reverse this process by wrapping up your fudge in several layers of clear wrap. This allows the moisture to re-permeate into the fudge & make it soft again.

If this doesn't work then a yummy alternative is to melt your fudge on ice cream. To do this place your fudge in a sauce pan with a splash of milk. Constantly stir until the fudge warms & softens up. Pour the fudge sauce on your ice cream and get ready for some amazing ice cream.

Locations


The Original Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen

We are tucked right in the heart of Michigan's Little Bavaria. That's right the heartbeat of Frankenmuth runs on Fudge! This is our flagship store and has been since 1975. We are making Michigan's best fudge daily right in front of your eyes. We look forward to putting on a show for you and your friends as soon as you come visit! Don't forget your FREE, FRESH SAMPLES!


Frankenmuth Fudge at Yates Cider Mill

Yates Cider Mill dates back to 1863. For a century and a half Yates has been supplying metro Detroit with what we believe is Michigan's finest Cider and Donuts! We are honored to have been a part of the Yates family since 1975! Every September we haul down our fudge making supplies and start cranking it out. Can't make it to Frankenmuth? Perhaps our Yates location is a sweet alternative.