Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (2024)

by Ashley Manila 103 Comments

This Foolproof Chocolate Fudge is made with semi-sweet chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter, salt and vanilla extract. Nuts are optional! A great holiday gift for chocolate lovers!

Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (1)

Chocolate Fudge

It’s the holiday season! And in our house that means so many things… including lots and lots of homemade fudge!

I learned how to make chocolate fudge when I was in first grade! And have been making it ever since. I joke that my mom can credit this easy chocolate fudge recipe for turning me into the chocoholic I am today. It’s rich in chocolate flavor and melts in your mouth! But it’s not crumbly or soupy. It’s truly the perfect fudge recipe! So without further ado, let me teach you how to make it!

Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (2)

How to make Chocolate Fudge

To make this recipe you’ll need:

  • Chocolate: you may use semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate. If you want milk chocolate fudge, I suggest using a combination of milk and semi-sweet, so that it’s not overly sweet. But this is up to you! You could also use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but I suggest sticking to high-quality chocolate if possible.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: I love eagle brand! Unfortunately I do not have a substitution for this ingredient.
  • Butter: unsalted or salted will work.
  • Salt: to balance out the sweetness! Don’t skip it.
  • And vanilla extract: which enhances all of the other flavors.

You can also add in a 1/2 cup of chopped nuts! Stir in the nuts and vanilla at the same time, if using.

This is what I like to call “shortcut fudge”, because the method doesn’t require a candy thermometer or tons of stirring. Instead the method is super simple and straightforward. You’ll simply combine the chocolate chips, butter, and condensed milk into a large heatproof glass bowl. Then place the bowl over a large bowl of gently simmering water. Essentially you’re making a double-boiler.

Once the chocolate and butter have completely melted, you’ll remove it from heat and stir in the vanilla.

The mixture will be very thick! Use a strong spatula to scrape the fudge mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

You’ll need to place the fudge in the fridge for at least 2 hours! During this time the fudge will set. Once set, simply cut into small squares and serve!

Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (3)

Does fudge have to be refrigerated?

Nope! Almost all fudge recipes will keep at room temperature. So itdoesnotneed to be refrigerated. But you definitely can keep it in the refrigerator! Especially if you enjoy biting into a cold square of chocolate fudge! Just be sure you store it in an airtight container. Because cold air will dry out fudge faster.

Can you freeze fudge?

You sure can! It’s best tofreeze the entire block of fudge. Then slice it into small squares after it has been thawed.To ensure your fudge stays fresh in the freezer, be sure to Fudge tightly wrapped the block in two layers of plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer bag. It will keep for 2 months!

To thaw, place the block of fudge in the refrigerator for 12 hours, then let it sit at room temperature for an hour before slicing.

Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (4)

More Fudge Recipes:

  • 6-Ingredient Butter Pecan Fudge
  • Creamy Kahlua Chocolate Fudge
  • Chocolate Caramel Fudge Sauce
  • Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

If you try this Foolproof Fudge Recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it #bakerbynature on instagram! Seeing your creations makes my day ♥

Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (5)

Foolproof Chocolate Fudge

Ashley Manila

This Foolproof Chocolate Fudge is made with semi-sweet chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter, salt and vanilla extract. Nuts are optional! A great holiday gift for chocolate lovers!

5 from 17 votes

PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Inactive Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  • (1) 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 20 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling, optional

Instructions

  • Lightly grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper, allowing the excess paper to overhang the sides, set aside.

  • In a large, heatproof bowl combine the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, chocolate, and butter; set aside. Fill a saucepan with a little water (you want it about 1/4 full) and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to barely a simmer. Place your heatproof glass bowl holding your ingredients on top of the pot. Stir frequently, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is completely smooth, about 8 minutes.

  • Remove from heat. The mixture will be very thick. Using a sturdy spatula, scrape the fudge into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with sea salt, if using. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

  • Gently run a butter knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the fudge. Remove the fudge and transfer it to a cutting board.

  • Peel off parchment paper, then slice the fudge into small pieces. Serve at once or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. You may also freeze the fudge, in an airtight freezer safe container for up to two months.

Tried it and loved it?Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @Bakerbynature and by using the hashtag #BakerByNature

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (11)Ken says

    Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (12)
    Great recipe, easy to do, and people love it. I use it as Christmas gifts and people are asking for more. 🙂

    Reply

  2. Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (13)Sherry Ange says

    In the narrative you add the vanilla after heating the rest of the ingredients. But in the recipe all the ingredients are heated. So which is it? Because I don’t do fudge without walnuts and instructions say add nut with vanilla??? B

    Reply

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Foolproof Chocolate Fudge - An Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›

Valuable tips for successful fudge
  • Don't stir during cooking. Fudge can be cooked on the stove or in the microwave. ...
  • Avoid crystallization. During cooking, sugar crystals can stick to the sides of the pan. ...
  • Let cool before beating. After being cooked, the sugar must crystallize again to create fudge. ...
  • Beat the mixture.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What's the difference between fudge and chocolate fudge? ›

Although fudge often contains chocolate, fudge is not the same as chocolate. Chocolate is a mix of cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sometimes sugar and other flavorings and is hard and brittle. Fudge is a mixture of sugar, dairy and flavorings that is cooked and cooled to form a smooth, semi-soft confection.

Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›

Don't stir!

Once the fudge reaches soft-ball stage on the candy thermometer, remove from the heat and let the temperature drop to 110°F. Keep that spoon or spatula out of the pot until this happens. If you stir too early in the process, you'll make the sugar crystals too big and end up with grainy fudge.

How long should you beat fudge? ›

Allow the fudge mixture to rest until the temperature registers between 150°-160°. Once the desired temperature is reached, beat the ever-loving stuffing out of the fudge. Two to three minutes of hardcore mixing (by hand).

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft-ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

What makes fudge softer? ›

If you don't heat your fudge to a high enough temperature, you'll end up with a soft product. And if you heat the mixture too much, your fudge may be harder than you'd like.

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

What consistency should fudge be before it sets? ›

You know it's ready when a small amount of the mixture dropped into a glass of cold water sets into a soft ball that you can lift out with a teaspoon and pinch between your fingers. Turn off the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes or until the mix starts to thicken a little.

How to tell if fudge is ready without a thermometer? ›

Using a clean spoon, carefully take a little of the syrup and drop it into the bowl of cold water. Leave to cool for a moment then pick up the ball of syrup. If it's pliable, sticky and can be moulded in your fingers easily, it has reached the soft ball stage and the syrup can be used to make fudge and marzipan.

What to do if chocolate fudge doesn t set? ›

Options for what you can do with your unset fudge:

OPTION 1) Depending on how runny it is, you can either use it as a frosting for cakes, or a sauce for ice-cream. OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed.

What makes fudge taste like fudge? ›

Fudge incorporates sugar, milk, butter, and other ingredients such as cocoa for chocolate fudge. The chocolatier then heats these products together until they melt. After this, the mixture is beaten during the cooling process. Think of fudge as a food consisting of crystallized sugar.

What is traditional fudge made of? ›

Fudge is created by heating sugar past its boiling point, so it's considered a confection made from crystalized sugar. Also, fudge doesn't have to be flavored with cocoa powder. There are plenty of fudge recipes that replace cocoa powder with peanut butter, vanilla, or another flavored extract.

Does fudge need to be refrigerated? ›

The only real time you might need to refrigerate proper fudge is if weather conditions are extremely hot. This won't extend the life of the fudge but will help it remain solid and not soften in the heat. Homemade Fudge stored in the freezer lasts about 2 - 3 months and stays fresh if appropriately wrapped.

How to make fudge more solid? ›

How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream.

Why is my fudge not setting properly? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

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