Fun Fact
A "Fudgie" is a tourist or visitor who travels to Mackinac Island to buy fudge. It's okay, you're not the only Fudgie out there. Over 10 tons of sugar are imported to Mackinac Island weekly which creates around five tons of fudge daily during peak season. So what makes Mackinac Island Fudge so special? It all started with a candy shop and a sweettooth.
Also Read: Mackinac Island Complete Guide
Why is there so much fudge on Mackinac Island?
History from MackinacIsland.Org
As Mackinac island became a place for tourist and vacationers, people started to look for sweets to indulge in while visiting. Originally, tourists indulged in maple sugar harvested by Native Americans. However, in the 1880's the Murdick family opened up the very first candy shop on the island. This candy shop was unique in that it allowed customers to watch their candy being made. Murdick's was also the very first to make their fudge on marble slabs, which gives the fudge a unique flavor and allows customers to watch fudge being made.
With the popularity of this new style of fudge-making, Murdick began to get competition on the island and the fudge scene began to grow. During the Great Depression, business began to struggle and Murdick decided to use a fan to blow the scent of fudge into the streets of Mackinac. After World War II business started booming again and visitors coming to the island for fudge grew in numbers. Today, Mackinac Island has gained much popularity for their style of fudge, attracting visitors near and far, and constantly innovating with new flavors to keep them coming back.
Also Read: Ultimate 1 Week Upper Peninsula Itinerary
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Where is the best fudge on Mackinac Island?
There are 7 fudge shops on Mackinac Island, each with delicious, mouth-watering fudge. However, with limited time on the island, we have outlined our top 4 fudge shops that we believe to serve the best fudge on Mackinac Island.
Family owned for four generation, May's Candy Shop has delicious and creamy fudge that will make your trip to Mackinac Island worth it after just one bite. We recommend trying their Peanut Butter, Amaretto Chocolate Chip, and Butter Pecan flavors. Looking for more than fudge? They also have amazing peanut brittle and English toffee.
Try: Peanut Butter or Amaretto Chocolate Chip!
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Murdick's Fudge is Mackinac Island's oldest fudge shop, so you may say they have history backing their recipe. You cannot go wrong with a purchase at Murdick's! Amazing fudge and delicious ice cream, be sure to stop here along your journey for a quick treat. With 21 flavors of true Mackinac Island fudge, you may find yourself stopping more than once or stocking up with their buy 3 get 2 slices free deal!
Tip: Utilize their buy 3 get 2 slices free deal!
Family owned for three generations, Joanne's Fudge is cooked in a traditional copper kettle over a gas flame and poured onto marble slabs for cooling. Watch the fudge-making process as you shop their store and salivate over all of the creamy, chocolate options. With a wide variety of flavors, sample till your heart's content in the store or even order online.
Tip: No time to try on the island? You can order online!
Starting as a candy shop in Detroit, Sanders has four locations throughout Michigan and is nationally recognition for their Bumpy® Cake, hot fudge toppings, Pecan Torties® and sea salt caramels. They have amazing, unique flavors of fudge in their Mackinac Island shop and also offer incredible ice cream, smoothies, hot chocolate, and almost any other kind of sweet treat you could imagine!
Try: The classic Michigan flavor of Bumpy® Cake
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