See's Fudge Recipe Copycat (2024)

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This See’s Fudge Recipe is the easiest, most foolproof fudge recipe ever! It never gets grainy and comes out rich and creamy every time.

See's Fudge Recipe Copycat (1)
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Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in this Fudge Recipe
  2. Tips For Making This Fudge Recipe
  3. If the Fudge Doesn’t Set
  4. 5-Star Reviews
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. More Must-Try Fudge Recipes
  7. How to Make See’s Fudge
  8. See’s Fudge Copycat Recipe Recipe

This homemade fudge recipe tastes exactly like the real, actual, classic See’s fudge recipe! It tastes just like the delicious old fashioned fudge that comes from the famous candy shop. To make sure, I made a batch, then went to See’s so I could do a side-by-side flavor comparison. Guess what? Everyone who did a taste comparison (a blind comparison I might add) with me agreed that THIS recipe tasted better! This easy fudge recipe makes beautiful gifts for Christmas or birthdays and is a fun treat to make with your kids.

Ingredients in this Fudge Recipe

This easy chocolate fudge recipe is the most foolproof recipe ever. It comes out smooth every time, never grainy. I have tried other recipes that take much longer to prepare and trust me, it is so unnecessary! You really don’t need more than 15 minutes for perfect fudge! Here’s what you need:

  • Milk chocolate – I use two 8-ounce Hershey bars broken into pieces.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips – 24 ounces (or two bags). I use the Guittard brand but any of your favorites will work.
  • Butter – melted
  • Marshmallow fluff – one jar (or about 7 ounces)
  • Sugar – Yes, 4 ½ cups is a lot. But life is all about having little treats, am I right?
  • Evaporated milk – NOT sweetened condensed milk
  • Nuts- completely optional. Chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or pistachios all work great with this recipe.
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Tips For Making This Fudge Recipe

  1. Follow the recipe– This might seem like a no-brainer, but with fudge, you want to be pretty exact. Substitutions do not fare well with this recipe. We have had readers that have swapped ingredients out or left them out, and they have been disappointed with the results.
  2. Stir and scrape the sides when mixing –You want to get all that chocolate melted and smooth. Be sure to use a heavy rubber scraper spatula to help you accomplish this. Make sure to scrape way down to the bottom of the bowl to incorporate it all. Make sure your fudge is completely smooth before pouring it in. You also want to stir until the sheen is gone. It will become thick and harder to stir, which is a good thing!
  3. Use parchment paper– For easy removal of the fudge from the pan, butter the baking dish, lay the parchment paper in, and then butter the parchment paper. Avoid using aluminum foil. It rips easily and can stick to the fudge.
  4. Keep it cool –For this fudge recipe, you will want to keep it in the refrigerator so it keeps its form. Keeping it at room temperature will make the fudge too soft and the texture won’t be right.
  5. Pour it in quickly, then leave it alone –Pour the hot fudge mixture into your prepared pan. Quickly smooth it into an even layer while it’s still hot. It will begin to set fast in the square baking dish and it won’t look as smooth if you keep running your spatula over it. Also, try not to bump your pan after it gets set. It will cause ripples in the fudge (I learned this the hard way). Try to quickly set it somewhere it won’t get bumped or moved until it has cooled enough to put it in the fridge.
  6. Be patient –Wait until the fudge sets before cutting. You will get nice, perfect squares if you wait until it has completely cooled through.
  7. Slice before serving –Again, be patient. For fresh, creamy fudge, cut it just before you serve it. Fudge tends to dry out over time. Cut it into 1-inch squares just before you eat it. If you must cut it earlier, be sure to keep the cut pieces in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
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If the Fudge Doesn’t Set

The reason I love this recipe is that it isn’t as temperamental as other fudge recipes. The reason it doesn’t get grainy is because you don’t cook the chocolate on the stove and that keeps it from getting too hot. Pouring the hot liquid over the chocolate is JUST enough to melt it and get it to the temperature you want without overheating.

That being said, sometimes the hot liquid you pour over it doesn’t get hot enough, causing the fudge to not set properly. You want to make sure you get a nice rolling boil when you heat the sugar and evaporated milk. Make sure you are heating this in a LARGE enough pot because it will bubble up and expand. You WANT this to expand to be a rolling boil so it gets hot enough to pour over your chocolate, otherwise, it won’t get up to the right temperature and it won’t set right. Just watch it closely andstir constantlyso it doesn’t burn.

Another factor that can cause your fudge to not set up is humidity. If it is a very humid day when you make your fudge, it may have difficulty setting.

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5-Star Reviews

Here are just a few of the 5-star reviews we’ve received over the many years this popular recipe has been on our website:

“I love this recipe! This was my first attempt at making fudge and I was so happy with it. Many thanks for sharing your recipe so my family and I can enjoy this super yummy, smooth fudge. I’m certain I will be sharing it for years to come.”

-Brooke

This is the best fudge recipe I have ever made. The only thing I did different is add 1 Tbsp of vanilla bean paste. Delicious, smooth, and not grainy at all!! Very easy to make.

– Elizabeth

“By far, the most delicious fudge our family has ever tasted!! It is so smooth, so rich. Used 60% dark chocolate this time, gave it a deep, chocolatey flavor. Will never try another recipe!!!

– Julie

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s be honest, fudge can be intimidating! Before you get started, here are some questions we are frequently asked that may help ease some of your concerns. You can do it!

Can I use marshmallows instead of marshmallow cream or fluff?

In a word, no. We have had readers try it and they say it doesn’t turn out right. We haven’t tried it before, but I can tell you it won’t be the same. Some say that they have melted marshmallows down or used a recipe to actually make marshmallow fluff, but again, we haven’t tried this so we can’t tell you for sure that it will work. We like to keep things simple and always stick to this original fudge recipe.

Do I need a candy thermometer for this recipe?

No, you don’t. If you follow the directions, a candy thermometer isn’t necessary. Please use a timer!

Can I use a sugar substitute for this recipe?

We don’t recommend using less sugar or using sugar substitutes for this recipe. In fact, we don’t recommend substituting any of the ingredients for anything low-sugar or low-fat. It just won’t set up the way it is supposed to.

Can I freeze fudge?

Yes! This fudge recipe freezes great! Just cut it into squares and wrap it in freezer paper and put it in a freezer container to freeze. Once frozen, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe Ziplock bag. When ready to eat, just thaw in the fridge until soft. I like to thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Read More:25+ Christmas Dessert Ideas

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More Must-Try Fudge Recipes

Fudge is always a decedent treat that is a special dessert eaten every once in awhile. With these homemade fudge recipes, you can’t go wrong with making these year-round.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Vanilla Fudge

Mint Chocolate Fudge

How to Make See’s Fudge

See's Fudge Recipe Copycat (10)

See’s Fudge Copycat Recipe

4.73 from 180 votes

This See’s Fudge Recipe is the easiest, most foolproof fudge recipe ever! It is never gets grainy and comes out perfectly every time.

PrintPinRate

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 60 pieces

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Butter a 9×13-inch glass baking dish. Set aside. Combine milk chocolate, chocolate chips, butter, and marshmallow in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

    See's Fudge Recipe Copycat (11)

  • In a large saucepan, combine sugar and evaporated milk. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Stir constantly at a rolling boil for 4 minutes with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

    See's Fudge Recipe Copycat (12)

  • Pour the evaporated milk mixture over the chocolate mixture in several intervals, stirring constantly to keep the fudge from clumping.

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  • Continue stirring until well blended and smooth.

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  • Pour into prepared baking dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate for several hours or overnight, until hardened. Keep refrigerated until you serve.

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Notes

For the milk chocolate, I use 2 giant (7.56-ounce) Hershey bars and break them into pieces. For the chocolate chips, I like the Guittard brand.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 1gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 21mgPotassium: 104mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 66IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

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See's Fudge Recipe Copycat (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

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.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

Does See's Candies make fudge? ›

1930, this is “supposedly” the original recipe for See's Fudge, produced by the See's Candy Company, Los Angeles.

What not to do when making fudge? ›

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Candy Shop-Worthy Fudge and Caramels
  1. Using the Wrong Pan. All candy and confections start by melting sugar. ...
  2. Stirring the Sugar. ...
  3. Not Using a Candy Thermometer. ...
  4. Leaving Out the Parchment Paper Lining. ...
  5. Skipping the Cooking Spray. ...
  6. Scraping the Pot. ...
  7. Using a Cold Knife to Slice.
Dec 16, 2015

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

Fudge usually behaves this way when it's not cooked to a high enough temperature (due to oversight or a faulty candy thermometer).

What makes fudge softer? ›

If there is too much evaporation, when the cooking time is too long, there will not be enough water left in the fudge and it will be too hard. Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft.

How to fix failed fudge? ›

To fix oily, hard or grainy fudge, scoop the fudge back into a pot with about a cup of water. Cook it over low heat until the fudge dissolves. Then bring the fudge back up to the temperature specified in the recipe and follow the remaining steps. The flavor may be slightly diluted, but the texture will be improved.

Why shouldn't you stir fudge after it reaches the correct temperature? ›

During cooking, sugar crystals can stick to the sides of the pan. If you stir the mixture, these crystals could fall in and crystallize a part of the sugar again.

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!

What happens if you stir fudge too early? ›

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.

Why does see's candy taste so good? ›

See's candies are made from fresh ingredients sourced almost exclusively in state. Like Teuscher, See's has never used preservatives, and for most of its existence the company has been family-owned and operated.

What brand of chocolate does sees use? ›

The 'couverture' chocolate used by See's is provided by the nearby Guittard Chocolate Company, and nuts come from Mariani Nut Company of Winters, California, just about an hour and 20 minutes away.

Did Warren Buffett buy See's candies? ›

By the 1970's, the current owners of See's were looking to get out of the business, and Buffett made an offer to them, in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1972, he purchased the company for $25 million, a very generous offer: more than six times its earnings and three times its value. It was Buffett's largest purchase at the time.

Do you stir fudge when it's boiling? ›

Know When and When NOT to Stir

Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.

How can I firm up my fudge? ›

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.

Should fudge be soft or firm? ›

It should hold together well without being too hard and, above all, has to be melty and silky in your mouth. It's the size of sugar crystals that makes the knees of fudge lovers buckle…the smaller the crystals, the less they are perceived on the tongue and the more the fudge tastes smooth and creamy.

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