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Easy Fudge Recipe

Robyn Stone

Published Nov 18, 2024

This Easy Fudge Recipe makes such rich, smooth chocolate fudge! Simple to make on the stove or in the microwave with four ingredients, and make several varieties with my list of optional ingredients! Makes the best homemade fudge!

I love to make homemade candy, especially throughout the holiday season, to share with family and friends. Like in many other families, it is a tradition that has been passed down for generations. You could always count on my Grandmother having an assortment of homemade candy like her divinity , peanut brittle , toffee , and, of course, chocolate fudge. It makes a thoughtful (and scrumptious) gift for friends, coworkers, and neighbors for Christmas or anytime!

Image of block of chocolate fudge on a piece of parchment being cut into individual pieces. - 1

This easy homemade fudge recipe is one that I grew up making with my Mama and Grandmother. I love that with just a few ingredients, you can make this delicious chocolate fudge recipe that everyone loves. You can also adapt this basic recipe to your favorite fudge flavors with some of the optional ingredients I’ve included.

Why You’ll Love This Fudge Recipe

Easy, yet Decadent – This fudge recipe is made with just 4 ingredients and takes just minutes to cook… it is one of the fastest candy recipes you can make! Yet even though it’s super easy and only has a few ingredients, this fudge recipe makes the smoothest, most delicious chocolate fudge!

Adaptable – This easy fudge recipe is also versatile – both in flavor options and in how it is prepared! You can use the stovetop or the microwave to prepare this fudge. And you can make this classic chocolate fudge into so many other flavor combinations based on your tastes, from Rocky Road to Peanut Butter Cup!

Make-Ahead – Let’s face it, the holidays are busy! Even though this is a quick and easy recipe, I can make multiple batches, store them in my refrigerator for weeks, and have them ready to wrap up a thoughtful homemade gift to share throughout the holiday season.

How to Make this Easy Fudge Recipe

Photograph of ingredients used to make easy fudge: salt, vanilla extract, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate chips. Also included in photograph are optional ingredients of mixed nuts and fruits and espresso powder. - 2

Ingredients for Fudge

For this classic recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients.

Chocolate Chips – Use your favorite chocolate chips – dark chocolate, milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or a combination!
Sweetened Condensed Milk – You can use my homemade sweetened condensed milk recipe or your favorite store-bought.
Kosher Salt – The salt helps to round out the flavor of the fudge and balances the sweetness perfectly without tasting salty at all.
Vanilla Extract – you’ll want to use pure vanilla extract in this recipe rather than imitation vanilla flavoring. I love to use my easy homemade vanilla extract for its incredible vanilla flavor.

To this basic recipe, you can also add espresso powder to heighten the flavor of the chocolate if you like, as well as your favorite add-ins for different flavor combinations.

Saucepan with ingredients for making fudge on the stovetop. - 3

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make Easy Fudge on the Stovetop

Melt. Add your chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, salt, and espresso powder, if you are using, to a medium saucepan over medium heat. As the chocolate chips melt, stir them frequently, and once melted, remove them from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and any mix-ins you might be using.
Pour. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and cover it with wrap.
Chill. Refrigerate to set. When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator, lift out of the pan, cut into individual squares, and serve!

Photo of melted chocolate in a saucepan with a wooden spoon ready to be poured into a prepared pan. - 4

Make Easy Chocolate Fudge in the Microwave

Melt. Add your chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk to a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring after each until the chocolate has melted and is smooth and creamy. If adding any optional mix-ins, stir those in to combine.
Pour. Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
Chill. Refrigerate to set. Then, remove it from the refrigerator when ready to serve, cut it into individual pieces, and serve.

Wooden spoon stirring nuts and dried fruit into melted chocolate. - 5

Storage Tips

To Make Ahead. This fudge recipe is the perfect make-ahead treat or dessert. It keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

To Store. You can store it in individual squares or as a whole block of fudge. If storing as individual pieces, place waxed paper between the layers of fudge in an airtight container. If storing the whole block of fudge, wrap it well with plastic wrap. Store in a cool place for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

To Freeze. Chocolate fudge freezes beautifully. Allow it to harden in the refrigerator as instructed in the recipe. Then, either cut the fudge into individual pieces or freeze it as a whole block. To freeze already cut into pieces, place waxed paper between the layers of fudge in an airtight, freezer-safe container. To freeze a whole block of fudge, wrap it well with plastic wrap and then wrap it well with foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw overnight in a cool place.

Photo of fudge with mixed nuts and fruit on a plate. - 6

Favorite Fudge Flavors

Roasted Nuts – Add a cup of chopped, roasted nuts. Great options are roasted pecans , roasted peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or even a mixture of your favorites.

Salted Caramel Fudge – Stir ¼ cup of salted caramel into the mixture before chilling. Once chilled, top with flaky salt to enhance the flavor even more!

Rocky Road Fudge – Add miniature marshmallows and roasted pecans or another favorite nut.

Oreo Fudge Recipe – Stir a cup of roughly chopped Oreo cookies before chilling.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge – I’ve been told this recipe tastes like a peanut butter cup, and it’s super easy to make, too! To enhance that flavor, you can add chopped mini peanut butter cups.

Peppermint Fudge – I have shared my favorite peppermint fudge recipe previously, which uses this classic recipe with the addition of peppermint. Peppermint perfection!

I think you will love sharing any or all of these delicious variations with your friends and family!

Here’s my favorite Easy Fudge Recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Ingredients

▢ 2 (12-ounce) packages chocolate chips
▢ 1 1/4 cups sweetened condensed milk , homemade or store bought
▢ 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1/8 teaspoon espresso powder , optional
▢ Optional mix-ins: 1/2 cup roasted nuts, candies, cookies, or fruit

Instructions

Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

Stovetop Fudge

Add chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, salt, and espresso powder (if using) to a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Melt the chocolate, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Stir in any optional mix-ins if using. (see fudge flavor variations in note)
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread with an offset spatula or a rubber scraper if needed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to set. Remove from refrigerator and remove from baking dish. Cut into 24 or 48 individual squares.

Microwave Fudge

Add chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk to a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 30-second increments, stirring after each, until the fudge mixture is melted, smooth, and creamy. Stir in any optional mix-ins if using. (see fudge flavor variations in note)
Pour into prepared baking dish and spread with an offset spatula or a rubber scraper if needed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to set. Remove from refrigerator and remove from baking dish. Cut into 24 or 48 individual squares.

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy! Robyn xo