Everytime I would see my grandmother, she would have a sweet snack for me at the moment we said hello. Even as I got older, she would ask me: “So what’s your favorite chocolate bar or candy these days.” When I would want something different, she would diligently write the name down. I knew what was coming the next time I saw her.
In the summer time, I would spend a few weeks with her at the family cottage. Every night there was two, count them, two deserts. A home made ice cream cone and some candy. Or Jell-0 and a a few cookies. Or a little gâteaux vachons with a popsicle. I know today that this is a lot. But back in the day, this amount of sugar was normal.
Another grand-mother famously started a tradition of gifting sweets.
At Cora restaurants across Canada, the tradition of gifting sucre à la crème isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it’s a heartfelt gesture rooted in Cora Tsouflidou’s own values as a grandmother. The founder of the beloved breakfast chain, known to many simply as “Madame Cora,” has always seen food as a way to nurture not just the body, but the spirit. The creamy, homemade brown sugar fudge she offers to guests on their way out is a small reminder of that grandmotherly generosity.
The tradition began in 1987, after a waitress gave out fudge at a staff Christmas party. Inspired, Cora decided to share the treat with every guest the next day. It became a signature moment of the Cora experience—something warm and sweet to remember your visit by.
Though Cora’s now has over 125 locations across Canada, its heart remains deeply Québécois, with roots in the province and menus filled with local inspiration. Its reach may be national, but its soul is personal—guided by one woman’s belief that a bit of fudge can carry a whole lot of love.
The fudge itself is lovingly made in small batches from butter, brown sugar, cream, and icing sugar—rich, sweet, and nostalgic. But more than flavor, it delivers a moment: a tiny sugar‑creme souvenir that speaks of kindness, community, and the belief that small gifts can leave sweet and lasting impressions.
Cora’s sugar fudge recipe:
Ingredients
- 3 cups (750 ml) light brown sugar
- 2/3 cup (150 ml) melted butter
- 2/3 cup (150 ml) 15% or 35% M.F. cream
- 2 cups (500 ml) icing sugar
- A few pinches of love
Preparation
- Grease a 6-inch x 10-inch pan.
- In a saucepan, mix the brown sugar, butter and cream together. Bring to a boil.
- When it reaches a boil, continue cooking for 5 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat. Gradually add the icing sugar, continuously whisking by hand or with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to the pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Let cool and cut into squares.
- Enjoy in moderation and share generously!