Easy Fudge Recipe

This easy fudge recipe is made with only five ingredients, in five minutes! There's no baking involved and you won't need any fancy equipment either...no candy thermometer needed. And it's so expensive to buy good-quality pre-made fudge, but no more! I'm going to show you how to whip up my best fudge recipe in a snap.

Jump to:

• 🧾 Ingredients
• ⭐ Note
• 🥣 How to make fudge
• 🍫 Fun, delicious fudge additions
• 🧺 Storage
• ✨ Fun facts
• 📝 Recipe

Just in case you didn't already know, I have a major sweet tooth. I try (and I stress the word try) to keep it in check, but sometimes the craving for sweet, rich, smooth chocolate is just too strong. I know you hear me.

While homemade fudge is a perfect quick holiday gift, it's delicious any time of year. Whether you're giving it away to friends, family, and neighbors...or keeping it all for yourself (I won't tell). And it's basically foolproof and lots of fun!

My easy fudge recipe is so simple, it will be your go-to recipe. It's so smooth and rich, and you can really personalize it to your own taste, with different additions (scroll to the bottom for tips & ideas, like my old fashioned peanut butter fudge or if you're looking for a boozy version, try this 4-ingredient Baileys fudge).

I'll also tell you all about how to store your homemade fudge so you can make it ahead of time and it will last. Ha! Sorry, but it would never last very long in my house before every last piece was devoured.

🧾 Ingredients

• Chocolate chips
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Salted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Chopped walnuts (optional)

See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and their measurements.

⭐ Note

I used semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe, but if you prefer an even sweeter taste, mix in some milk chocolate chips too. In place of chocolate chips, you can also break up your favorite chocolate bar into small chunks and use that instead.

And while the walnuts are completely optional, I find that they add a nice bit of crunchy texture to the silky smooth fudge.

🥣 How to make fudge

Although there is no baking involved in this recipe, you'll want to have a baking pan ready to pour the fudge into. Either a 9 x 9" or 13 x 9" pan would work, just keep in mind that the fudge in the 13 x 9" pan will be thinner. Either coat the baking dish with butter or cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper. Okay, now set that aside for a moment and let's make the fudge!

How to make fudge on the stove

In a pan over low heat, mix together chocolate chips, butter, vanilla extract, salt, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir continuously, making sure to reach the bottom and edges of the pan.

Over about 5 minutes, the chocolate chips will gradually melt and all the ingredients will come together. Keep stirring until the entire mixture is smooth and glossy.

Remove pan from heat and stir in walnuts.

Pour warm fudge into prepared baking dish and spread to edges in an even layer.

Refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting into squares. If you'd like a little salt on top (a flaky sea salt like Maldon works best), sprinkle that over once the fudge has cooled a little (after about 30 minutes to 1 hour of chilling).

How to make fudge in the microwave

In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips, butter, vanilla extract, salt, and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well each time, until the fudge is smooth and glossy (this will take about 6 microwave cycles, give or take).

Remove pan from heat and stir in walnuts.

Pour warm fudge into prepared baking dish and spread to edges in an even layer.

Refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting into squares. If you'd like a little salt on top (a flaky sea salt like Maldon works best), sprinkle that over once the fudge has cooled a little (after about 30 minutes to 1 hour of chilling).

🍫 Fun, delicious fudge additions

• Different chocolate chips - If you're a fan of white chocolate, swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate instead.
  
• Nuts - In this recipe, I used walnuts because I love their flavor and crunch. But you can add any nuts that you enjoy...pecans, pistachios, cashews...go crazy!
  
• Chocolate & Peanut Butter Fudge - Once the fudge has finished cooking, swirl in some peanut butter for a classic combination.
  
• Flavor extracts - Try experimenting with different extracts besides vanilla: Almond or peppermint, for example.
  
• Dried fruits - Once the fudge has finished cooking, stir in some dried fruits, like cranberries or dates.

Now that you know how to make fudge, which one are you going to try first?

🧺 Storage

Fudge will stay good on the countertop in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. In the fridge it will last for at least a month, and in the freezer for up to three months!

After taste testing repeatedly (what we won't do for you guys, I tell ya!), we found that fudge at room temperature tastes best. It has a soft silky texture on the outside, with a firmer middle...the perfect combination!

✨ Fun facts

• There are several origin stories floating around about fudge
  • One says that a young apprentice caramel maker was left stirring the pot while the boss was out serving customers. By the time he returned, the caramel was so grainy it was ruined - but the customers loved it, and named it Fudge after the apprentice who mistakenly made it.
  • Another story goes, that a college lecturer in Virginia, USA, was teaching a class in toffee making, and the temperature was not taken high enough, resulting in what we now know as fudge. This, allegedly, is also where the term 'to fudge something' comes from.
    
• Fudge is thought to be a descendent of tablet-a medium-hard confection from Scotland. The two treats use similar ingredients, but fudge is richer, softer, and slightly less grainy than its European cousin.
  
• In the USA, May 12th is National Nutty Fudge Day, June 16th is National Fudge Day, and November 20th is National Peanut Butter Fudge Day.

Do you have a sweet tooth like me? Check out a few more of our delicious recipes:

• Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge
• 4-Ingredient Baileys Fudge
• Brownie Blondies
• Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
• Chocolate Cake in a Mug
• Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
• The Best Banana Nut Bread
• Sour Cream Coffee Cake
• Quick & Easy Blueberry Crisp
• Easy Zesty Blueberry Muffins
• Strawberry Shortcake Waffles with Nutella

Did you make this Easy Fudge recipe? Let us know in the comments below!

📝 Recipe

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