As the holiday season approaches so does the quest for the perfect gift. This year, consider a timeless treat that transcends age and tastes—handmade fudge from Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
Amid the thrill rides, cave tours and Winter on the Mountain festivities, the Adventure Park’s General Store gives candymaker Willy Wonka some competition in the fudge-making category. The mountaintop theme park is the source and summit of melt-in-your-mouth fudge, a gift that will please everyone on your holiday list.
Meet the Maestro Behind the Fudge: Brian Martin
At the heart of this confectionery haven is Brian Martin, the artisanal fudge maker with a flair for the creative. Originally, Martin made fudge as needed for the Adventure Park. However, his passion and skill for consistently creating delectable treats led to his current position and unofficial title as Chief Confectioner, a role in which he is exclusively dedicated to the art of fudge making. Martin has six years of experience at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. In that time, he has perfected the craft, ensuring each batch meets the highest standards of quality and flavor. When he’s not bustling about the kitchen at the Adventure Park, Martin also works as General Manager of Food Services at Colorado Mountain College.
Crafting Fudge: A Delicate Symphony of Ingredients
While the simplicity of fudge’s key ingredients, usually chocolate, butter, sugar, cream and flavorings might deceive the uninitiated, the process of creating this delectable treat is a delicate dance. Glenwood Caverns employs a specialty process and a foolproof mixture to achieve consistency excellence. The process enables Martin to make approximately 200 different flavor combinations with about 20 different varieties on hand at any given time.
From Classics to Local Favorites: A Flavorful Array
The Adventure Park’s fudge repertoire is as diverse as it is delightful. From traditional top sellers like Peanut Butter Chocolate, Maple Walnut, Pumpkin and Caramel Praline to unique blends that have become local favorites such as Huckleberry and Peanut Butter and Jelly, the selection caters to every palate. To augment his creative juices, Martin also takes input from retail staff about visitor preferences to generate custom recipes that ensure an always-tasty selection of options.
Experts Only: Fudge-Making at Altitude
One might wonder how the high-altitude setting impacts the delicate process of fudge making. Candy-making can be tricky. Small variations in ingredients and temperature sometimes cause the confection to be too soft, too hard or too crystalized. Surprisingly, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s system is unfazed by altitude challenges. But Martin attests that the Caverns’ specialty process conquers any obstacles posed by elevation, resulting in consistently creamy—never grainy—fudge.
Sweet Delight: Gift-Worthy Presentation
As the holiday shopping frenzy peaks, there’s no need to panic. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers the perfect solution—handcrafted fudge that requires no wrapping. Each batch of fudge boasts a 30-day shelf life when stored in an airtight container, making it an ideal gift for friends, family, neighbors, coworkers and even holiday pet and plant sitters.
Elevate your holiday gift-giving with a sweet and fudgy treat from Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Learn more and make plans to visit Colorado’s only mountain-top theme park today!
