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    You are here: Home / Desserts / Candy / Easy Fudge Recipe

    Easy Fudge Recipe

    March 8, 2019 By Sam 79 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Easy Fudge

    Just 5 ingredients and under 20 minutes of prep time for this EASY Fudge Recipe! Super simple with no candy thermometer required, this might be the easiest candy recipe I’ve shared yet. 

    Square of chocolate fudge on marble slab from easy fudge recipe

    Easy Fudge Recipe

    This easy fudge recipe is my lazy day candy recipe (and you know I love lazy recipes). It’s simple, low maintenance, and not fussy at all. It’s the laid back cousin to my well-loved (but slightly fussier) peanut butter fudge and old-fashioned chocolate fudge.

    And yet, despite its effortlessness, it’s still absolutely perfect. Smooth and creamy texture. Rich chocolate-y-ness. Decadent and sweet but still flavorful and addictive. I’ve had other easy fudges in the past that taste like biting into a waxy chocolate chip, this is not that fudge. It has its own distinct (and creamy, did I mention creamy?) fudge texture and flavor.

    I think you’re going to love it.

    How to make easy fudge: ingredients in saucepan

    How Do You Make Easy Fudge?

    You need just 4 ingredients for making this easy fudge:

    • Sweetened Condensed Milk (make sure this is condensed milk and not evaporated milk, this fudge will not work with evaporated milk)
    • Chocolate Chips (more on this below)
    • Finely ground sea salt (or you can use regular table salt)
    • Butter
    • Vanilla extract

    Combine all of your ingredients except for the vanilla extract in a saucepan over low/ medium/low heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and the ingredients are well-combined and smooth. Unlike many fudge recipes that require boiling or attaining a certain temperature, this easy fudge recipe only needs all of your ingredients to be melted together. No boiling, no candy thermometer.

    Once your ingredients are all smooth and melted, remove from heat and immediately stir in your vanilla extract. Pour the fudge at once into a pan that’s been lined with lightly greased foil and allow the fudge to set for several hours until firm all the way through.

    One important thing to note: this easy fudge only requires a few minutes of attention on the stovetop, but don’t walk away or stop stirring or it may burn and the chocolate could seize, which is just about the only way you could ruin this recipe

    Melting together all ingredients for easy fudge in saucepan

    Let’s Talk Chocolate Chips

    We’re only using a handful of ingredients for this easy fudge recipe, so it’s very important that we use quality ingredients. I recommend using flaky sea salt over table salt and if you happen to have it on hand, I highly recommend a splash of Madagascar bourbon vanilla over the regular stuff. However, the most important ingredient is the chocolate chips.

    Quality chocolate chips will yield a quality fudge. Personally, I recommend Ghirardelli. I promise I’m not affiliated with them but I’m always happy with the results when I use their chocolate.

    I wrote this easy fudge recipe with chocolate fudge specifically in mind and used semisweet chips, but you can use other flavors of chocolate chips instead. I’ve had success making this with milk chocolate and white chocolate chips (I’ve used white chocolate to make my cake batter fudge and my peppermint bark fudge).

    Can I Put Fudge in the Refrigerator to Set?

    I have a lot of candy recipes that I don’t recommend putting in the refrigerator, but it’s actually perfectly fine to put this easy fudge in the refrigerator to speed up the setting process. It will still take about 1 hour for the fudge to set completely, but it’s much faster than leaving it out at room temperature.

    Stack of chocolate fudge with bite

    How to Store Fudge

    For best results, store in an airtight container. It can be kept at either room temperature or in the refrigerator. This easy fudge will keep for up to two weeks when stored properly.

    Enjoy!

    Other Candy Recipes You Might Like:

    • Saltine Toffee
    • Buckeye Recipe
    • Potato Candy

    I hope you’ll check out my Easy Fudge Recipe video at the bottom of the post! If you enjoy watching, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel where I’ve already uploaded over 100 recipe videos that you can watch for free!

    Fudge

    Easy Fudge Recipe

    This EASY Fudge Recipe is possibly the easiest candy recipe I've shared yet! Just 5 ingredients, no candy thermometer, and prepped in under 30 minutes! 
    Be sure to check out the quick how-to VIDEO below the recipe! 
    4.87 from 23 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Candy, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Resting Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
    Servings: 32 pieces
    Calories: 113kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips¹ (340g)
    • 1 14 oz can condensed milk (396g)
    • ¼ teaspoon finely ground sea salt (you can substitute regular table salt if needed)
    • 1 Tablespoon butter, salted or unsalted will work, use whichever you have on hand plus additional for buttering pan
    • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract I like using vanilla bourbon extract whenever I have it on hand
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Prepare an 8x8 or 9x5 pan by lining with foil and lightly greasing the foil with butter. Set aside.
    • Combine chocolate chips, condensed milk, sea salt, and butter in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat. Keep the heat low (or at most, medium low) and stir continuously because if the chocolate gets too hot it will seize and your fudge will not turn out.
    • Stir constantly until chocolate chips are completely melted and smooth and all ingredients are well combined.
    • Once ingredients are melted, remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Immediately pour into prepared pan and use a spatula to smooth out fudge.
    • Allow fudge to cool completely and allow several hours to set and firm up completely (this can be expedited by placing your fudge in the refrigerator). Once firm, slice and enjoy!

    Notes

    ¹Make sure you buy a quality brand of chocolate chips or your fudge may not set up properly. I am not affiliated with Ghirardelli but always have the best results when using their chocolate chips to make this fudge.

    Can I add Nuts to my Fudge?

    Yes! Stir in 1 cup (105g) of chopped nuts once all of your ingredients are melted together and just before removing from heat. Walnuts are so good in this chocolate fudge! 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1square | Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.4mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Grandma Glenda

      December 22, 2020 at 5:09 pm

      5 stars
      This is great and very easy fudge! My husband loves my fudge which is his mom’s and my mom’s recipe. Cocoa, sugar, milk with vanilla and a tbsp of butter. Cook to soft ball stage and put in a buttered pie plate. I always wondered why it was a little grainy. Ow I no why! Thank you so much. If my husband likes it, it will be my new go to. ❤️👍

      Reply
    2. Jeanne

      December 19, 2020 at 11:51 pm

      I followed this recipie exactly, even freezing to set. When taking it out to slice, it became soft, mushy and hard to slice. Put back in freezer. Needless to say I’m disappointed as I made alot of this fudge.

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 21, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        Hi Jeanne! This really needs to set at room temperature or even in the refrigerator. The brand of chocolate chips may have also caused an issue here. I hope it turns out better next time.

        Reply
    3. Patti Bristow

      December 15, 2020 at 8:03 pm

      5 stars
      Being disabled leaves me unable to to much in the kitchen. However, this recipe is so simple I can sit and make it.
      Thanks for the recipe!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 15, 2020 at 9:33 pm

        I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Patti! 🙂

        Reply
        • Mari Brinkman

          December 18, 2020 at 7:44 pm

          Hi ~ I am excited to make this fudge ! I have a question regarding adding the butter. I have land of lakes butter with olive oil. Will that work ?
          Thank You !
          Mari in So. Cal.

        • Sam

          December 18, 2020 at 9:36 pm

          Hi Mari! Is that the spreadable kind that comes in a tub? Unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend that for this recipe :-/

    4. Arlene S

      December 14, 2020 at 10:23 am

      Can fat free condensed milk be used? It’s all I have on hand?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 14, 2020 at 10:25 pm

        Hi Arlene! Honestly I have never tried it, but I would be worried it wouldn’t be thick enough. If you do try it I would love to know how it turns so I can pass the information along to any others that may have this question. 🙂

        Reply
        • Dana

          December 16, 2020 at 11:09 pm

          I’ve used fat free condensed milk for this recipe for many years. It works as well as regular condensed milk.
          I also use orange extract, yum!

        • Sam

          December 17, 2020 at 10:49 am

          Thanks for the feedback, Dana! 🙂

    5. Debbie

      December 11, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      Do you have an easy peanut butter fudge recipe?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 11, 2020 at 10:24 pm

        Hi Debbie! I do have a peanut butter fudge recipe. It’s not quite as easy as this but definitely worth it. 🙂

        Reply
      • Sheila

        December 26, 2020 at 9:47 pm

        Debbie, I do and it is delish. Microwave 14 Oz. Sweetened condensed milk, 12 to 14 ounce white chocolate chips until melted, in 1 minute increments. Stir in pinch of salt, 1 tsp of vanilla and 3/4 cup peanut butter, whatever type you like, I used chunky. Pour into a lined 8×8 pan. I lined mine with non stick foil and refrigerate until firm, approximately 3 hours. Can be stored for up to 3 days in refrigerator and frozen for 1 month.

        Reply
    6. Jackie

      December 11, 2020 at 7:54 am

      Hi Sam, can this fudge be frozen? If so, does if have to individually wrapped?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 11, 2020 at 11:45 am

        Hi Jackie! It can be frozen. You could either freeze the entire pan as it is or if you want to cut it up I would separate the pieces. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Julia

      December 05, 2020 at 11:26 pm

      Hi Sam ma’am. (Sorry, its just that I am WAYYYY younger than you and I am supposed to be calling elder people like that) you are my cooking idol! I love all your recipes! I have tried sooooooo many! Thank you so much!

      Yours,
      Julia

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 06, 2020 at 10:55 pm

        Thank you so much! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Julia/Jules

      December 05, 2020 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe!

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 05, 2020 at 9:16 pm

        I’m so glad you enjoyed, Julia! Thank you for commenting 🙂

        Reply
    9. Diane

      November 29, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      My grand daughters & I made this last weekend! LOVED IT!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 29, 2020 at 9:09 pm

        I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Diane! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Lisa B.

      November 06, 2020 at 6:26 pm

      Do you think this would dissolve in warm milk? I’m trying to find an easy way to make “hot chocolate on a stick”. Most of the recipes that I have seen seem to resemble fudge. I wondered if this recipe might not be a more forgiving recipe. It would need to set up to a fairly stiff consistency for my purpose so that a it would set around a popsicle or lollipop stick .

      Reply
      • Sugar Spun Run

        November 07, 2020 at 7:16 am

        Hi, Lisa! Honestly, I am not sure, as I have never tried it. If you do, I’d love to know how it turns out. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Alby

      August 25, 2020 at 12:34 am

      Can you use 12 oz of chocolate squares instead of chips?

      Reply
      • Sam

        August 25, 2020 at 5:37 pm

        The fudge may not be as firm, but I think it could work. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Ramona Wallace

      June 16, 2020 at 3:59 pm

      P.S. I forgot to say that the fantasy fudge I referred to I make in the microwave.

      Reply
    13. Ramona Wallace

      June 16, 2020 at 3:54 pm

      I don’t usually have success with cooking candy on the stove (so my husband did those candies.) So I make fantasy fudge. How do you think they compare? I do know, as a kid, my mom made candy on the stove and said you had to be careful not to scrape the side of the pan or, as she put it, the candy would turn to sugar, or be gritty. Your thoughts?

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 17, 2020 at 11:06 am

        Hi Ramona! This fudge is really easy. In a traditional fudge you have to worry about scraping the sides and the fudge becoming gritty but you don’t really need to worry about it here. I haven’t had a fantasy fudge so I can’t give you a good comparison, but this is a pretty tasty fudge recipe. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Ava

      June 15, 2020 at 9:10 am

      5 stars
      This is the best fudge recipe ever !!!!! It has the perfect consistency and was finished within days in my home! We find it amazing if you sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top 🙂

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 15, 2020 at 9:45 am

        I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Ava! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Emi

      May 31, 2020 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      Once again, you hit a classic recipe out of the ballpark, Sam. This fudge was INCREDIBLY easy, and only took an hour and fifteen minutes to set in the fridge. The bottom wasn’t quite as firm as I would have liked it at an hour, so I ate a few pieces, flipped the block of fudge over, and popped it right back in there. This is now my go-to recipe for fudge. HIGHLY recommend to any considering using this.

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 01, 2020 at 10:27 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Emi! Fudge can always be tricky too so I’m glad it turned out so well. 🙂

        Reply
        • Emi

          June 02, 2020 at 5:47 pm

          5 stars
          I’m glad too! The only other time I tried fudge it was another “easy fudge recipe” [not that yours isn’t easy :)], and when it was done, it had the consistency (and taste) of hot fudge sauce that has been in the fridge :/. Thank you again!

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    The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

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