How to Make Fudge – This simple Fudge Recipe is made with just three ingredients and only takes a few minutes to make too. Super easy and there’s no candy thermometer required!
When it comes to fudge, most people tend to think of it only around Christmas time. But fudge is actually perfect to make during the summer too because it’s a simple no-bake treat!
Since it’s been extremely hot lately and the last thing most of us want to do right now is turn our ovens on, I wanted to share my easy homemade fudge recipe with you. And when I say easy, I really mean it! This fudge only requires three simple ingredients, takes just a few minutes to throw together, and you don’t even need a candy thermometer.
I love to make this fudge with semi-sweet chocolate chips, but white chocolate chips work great with this recipe too. I’ve also included a few different recipe variations that you can try with this fudge to show you just how versatile it can be!
Table of Contents
INGREDIENTS FOR THIS FUDGE RECIPE
As I mentioned, you only need three ingredients to make this fudge: chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Let’s break down each one of them!
- Chocolate Chips: You’ll be using three cups of chocolate chips for this fudge. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, but feel free to swap them for white chocolate chips or even dark chocolate.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: You’ll need one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk. I suggest sticking with the regular version and skipping the fat-free kind.
- Butter: You can technically make this fudge with just the first two ingredients, but I’ve found that adding just a couple tablespoons of butter helps create a smoother consistency. Trust me here!
- Chopped Walnuts: This ingredient is completely optional! If you don’t love nuts, feel free to leave them out. You can even swap the chopped walnuts with chopped pecans too.
HOW TO MAKE THIS CHOCOLATE FUDGE RECIPE
To make this fudge, you’ll start out by combining everything in a large saucepan. Then, place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture continuously until it’s nice and smooth. I suggest using a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the saucepan so that none of the chocolate burns.
Once the mixture is completely smooth, remove it from the heat and scoop it into an 8-inch square baking dish. I like to line my dish with parchment paper or foil and leave some overhang before adding the fudge. This will make it much easier to lift it out of the pan and slice the fudge!
You’ll spread the fudge into one even layer, then cover it, and place it in the refrigerator. It will take about 3 hours to fully firm up, so you can even prep this the night before too.
RECIPE VARIATIONS
There are several different ways that you can make this fudge too, here are a few of my favorites!https://bc927c62acc48f5e104546aa645c2f84.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
- Cookies & Cream: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and add 1 cup of chopped Oreos.
- Cranberry Pistachio: Use either semi-sweet or white chocolate chips and add 1/2 cup of sweetened dried cranberries and 1/2 cup of chopped pistachios.
- Mint Chocolate: Use either semi-sweet or white chocolate chips and add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Taste and add more extract as needed.
BAKING TIPS FOR THIS FUDGE RECIPE
- Before getting started, line a dish with parchment paper or foil and leave some overhang. This will make it much easier to lift the fudge out and easier to clean up too!
- While the fudge is cooking, make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan and stir continuously.
- This fudge will soften some at room temperature, so it’s best to keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to enjoy it. You can also freeze this fudge for up to 3 months, just thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
How to Make Fudge Part 2
This fudge recipe makes really soft, melt-in-the- mouth British-style fudge. A batch of super-creamy fudge makes a brilliant present for family and friends at birthdays and Christmas.
Use the iced water hack and you won’t need a sugar thermometer.
Ingredients
- 397g tin condensed milk
- 450g/1lb light brown soft sugar
- 120g/4½oz butter, cubed
- 125ml/4fl oz milk
- pinch salt
Method
- Line a 20cm/8inch square tin with baking paper. Place a glass of cold water in the freezer (or in the fridge with ice cubes).
- Place all of the ingredients, apart from the salt, into a large, dry saucepan over a low heat. Continuously stir until the butter has melted and the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Slowly bring the mixture to a rolling boil over a medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Stir continuously, especially around the edges, to stop the mixture catching on the bottom of the pan and burning. Be very careful as the mixture is very hot.
- Once the mixture has reduced and darkened, carefully dip a teaspoon into the mixture and drizzle it into your glass of iced water (remove the ice cubes if using.) It should become a soft, pliable ball you can squash with your fingers when dropped into the iced water. If it sticks to the glass or your fingers when you press it, continue to boil and test the mixture every 2–3 minutes, or until it passes the test.
- Add a pinch of salt then beat the mixture well. Leave to cool in the saucepan for 10 minutes. Beat the thickened mixture again, breaking the top that will have started to set until it starts to lose its shine. Leave for another 5 minutes and beat again. Pour into the lined tin and level with the back of a spoon.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until completely firm and you can cut through it easily with a knife without it getting stuck. Remove the fudge from the tin, transfer to a chopping board and slice into 36 pieces (6×6) with a sharp knife.
Recipe Tips
It’s best to use a non-stick saucepan to make fudge as it is less likely to catch and burn (and much easier to clean!)
This recipe makes soft, melt-in-the-mouth fudge, so if you prefer your fudge on the chewier-side, boil it for 5 minutes longer when your mixture passes the iced water test.
Why not tailor your fudge to the person you are making it for? If they love chocolate, dried fruit or nuts, add these with the salt in step 5.
Conclusion
Some “old school” fudge recipes require you to cook a mixture of sugar, butter and cream to a certain temperature, then wait for it to cool down, then beat it until it’s creamy.
While it makes delicious fudge, it’s not something you want to do regularly. Luckily, I’ve figured out how to make fudge with an easier method that makes candy that is just as delicious.