Mackinac Island is known for its world famous, hand made fudge. For over 100 years, candy makers on Mackinac have been making fudge by hand for millions of customers. It’s become a tradition to buy a box of the famous fudge as a souvenir of a trip to the Island. Many visitors choose to enjoy their souvenir as soon as they hit the street, eating right out of the box. The term fudgie has been affectionately used to label the many visitors who come to the Island. 

Several innovations throughout the century have changed the business, but typically, the recipe for fudge has not changed. Marvin May, of May’s Fudge whose family has been making fudge for over 80 years, says “there are some candies that have a number of difficult steps, but fudge isn’t one of them. However, there are a couple of small things that are critical to making it right. Using quality ingredients and large marble slabs, to shape and cool a fresh batch is essential.”

When making fudge and candies, Joann’s Fudge uses large fans to blow the mouth watering smell into the streets, attracting window shopping fudgies into the store.  There’s nothing better than the sweet smell of fresh hot fudge. 

Many candy makers have gone beyond fudge making to include a variety of high-quality chocolates and candies. The craftsmen and women at Sander’s Candies make peanut brittle, dark bark, chocolate clusters, turtles, taffy, and chocolate molded and shaped into  unique dimensional items. Visitors choose from a multitude of fudge flavors. 

 All the shops can ship boxes of fudge to friends and family back home. Keep the tradition; treat yourself to the fudge that Mackinac has made famous!