Published December 13, 2018. Updated October 23, 2020
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Fudge is a holiday staple and this recipe for it is so straightforward and foolproof! It only requires 5 ingredients (you could even omit the salt and nuts and make that 3) and everyone loves it! It’s deliciously rich and chocolaty and it’s perfect for gifting. Who doesn’t love fudge?
The Easiest Fudge Recipe Ever!
If candy making isn’t your thing then this is most definitely the recipe for you, anybody can make this simple fudge!
It can be made on the stovetop or in the microwave. I’ve tried both several times and my personal preference is the actually the microwave because there’s less stirring and attending to it and it’s faster. But either method will work great based on what you prefer.
Once you try it it’s a recipe you’ll have on repeat ever year when the holidays roll around! Give it as gifts but just be sure to save a small stash for yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Fudge:
Here’s the 5 basic ingredients you’ll need:
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Salt
- Vanilla
- Walnuts or pecans (optional)
How to Make Fudge on the Stovetop:
- In a medium saucepan stir together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate chips have melted.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and nuts. Pour into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Chill until set, about 2 hours. Lift from pan using parchment then cut into squares.
How to Make Fudge in the Microwave:
- In a medium microwave safe bowl stir together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt.
- Heat in microwave on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring well between intervals, until melted and smooth (it should take about 5 – 6 cooking periods).
- Stir in vanilla and nuts. Spread into prepared dish and chill until set, about 2 hours. Cut into squares.
Tips for This Recipe
- Don’t use low fat or fat free sweetened condensed milk or it could throw off the consistency and it won’t be as rich.
- You can also use a blend of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate for fudge with a more mild milk chocolate flavor.
- Can I freeze it? Fudge freezes, well wrap in foil and store in an airtight container in freezer.
More Easy Christmas Treats You’ll Love:
- Microwave Caramels
- Microwave Peanut Brittle
- Sweet Holiday Chex Mix
- Candied Pecans
- No Bake Cookies
- Turtle Pretzels
16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)
4.96 from 23 votes
Print Recipe
Easy Fudge (Microwave or Stovetop)
Fudge is a holiday staple and this recipe for it is so straightforward and foolproof! It only requires 5 ingredients (you could even omit the salt and nuts and make that 3) and everyone loves it! It's deliciously rich and chocolaty and it's perfect for gifting. Who doesn't love fudge??
Servings: 30
Prep10 minutes minutes
Cook5 minutes minutes
Chill2 hours hours
Ready in: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cups (18 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips*
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
Butter and line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper (leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides), butter parchment.
Stovetop Instructions
In a medium saucepan stir together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate chips have melted.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and nuts. Pour into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
Chill until set, about 2 hours. Lift from pan using parchment then cut into squares.
Microwave Instructions
In a medium microwave safe bowl stir together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt.
Heat in microwave on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring well between intervals, until melted and smooth (it should take about 5 - 6 cooking periods).
Stir in vanilla and nuts. Spread into prepared dish and chill until set, about 2 hours. Cut into squares.
Notes
- *For the milk chocolate version use 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup milk chocolate chips.
- Recipe adapted from Eagle
Nutrition Facts
Easy Fudge (Microwave or Stovetop)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 167Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 19mg1%
Potassium 162mg5%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 45IU1%
Vitamin C 0.4mg0%
Calcium 52mg5%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Fudge Recipe
Author: Jaclyn
Categorized:
- Christmas
- Desserts
- Treats and Snacks
Tagged:
- chocolate chips
- sweetened condensed milk
- vanilla extract
- walnuts
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- Simple Hot Fudge Sauce (only 5 ingredients)
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126 Comments
Kath Wigan
Thanks Jaclyn
Jaclyn
You’re welcome Kath!
Martha Winders
I couldn’t find the chocolate wafer cookies where I live. Therefore I used the thin chocolate Oreo’s (thin Oreo’s with chocolate crème). And I found peppermint crumbles in the baking aisle department which worked well. Simple and so easy.
Geniva
Mind didn’t get hard how can I fix it
Jaclyn
I would keep in the freezer for a little bit.
Teresa Waddell
I have made many different fudge recipes but this one is way too sweet. Some of the other recipes called for unsweetened condensed milk. That’s where I believe this one went wrong.
Susan
Can this recipe be used to pour into small molds for Easter candy shapes?
Jaclyn
That should work as long as the molds are greased.
James miller
Definitely not my normal fudge but I liked it. Came out darker than the photos shown here
alex
i just tried this but why is it so oily?):
Jaclyn
I’m sorry to hear that! It may be based on the brand of chocolate chips used it shouldn’t be oily.
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