This really is the easiest fudge recipe ever! Chocolate chips, butter, and sweetened condensed milk create the fudge base, and from there you can add as many mix-ins as you’d like. No candy thermometer required!
Homemade fudge is the easiest no-bake treat to prepare around the holidays. You need just three simple ingredients to make it — butter, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate chips — and the recipe variations are endless!
Whether you prefer your chocolate fudge plain or with chopped nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut, or another mix-in, you can customize this base recipe as you see fit.
This fudge recipe makes the perfect hostess gift and is also great for cookie exchanges as it travels well and tastes just as good on day one as it does on day seven!
The ingredients for this fudge are simple and straightforward. Exact measurements are provided in the recipe card below, but here’s an overview of the ingredients list.
Don’t bother taking out your candy thermometer, you won’t need it to make this simple recipe. The toughest part about making chocolate fudge is waiting for it to set up in the fridge, otherwise it’s an almost foolproof recipe!
Yes, this chocolate fudge must be refrigerated. It will soften at room temperature, so keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Not for this particular recipe. You must use full-fat sweetened condensed milk. Do NOT use evaporated milk, as it’s much thinner and the fudge won’t set properly if you use it.
Yes, simply double the ingredients list and use a 9×13-inch pan instead of an 8-inch pan.
Yes, this fudge freezes well for up to three months. Store slices in a freezer bag or freezer container and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
There are several different ways that you can make this fudge, here are a few of my favorite variations:
Easy Fudge Recipe
This simple Fudge Recipe is made with just three ingredients and takes only a few minutes to make too. Super easy and there’s no candy thermometer required!
Prep: 15min
Total: 195min
Yield: 36
Ingredients:
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ((525 grams))
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk ((NOT evaporated milk))
- 2 tablespoons butter ((30 grams))
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional (125 grams))
Instruction:
- Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Set aside.
- Add the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter to a large saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir often until the chocolate chips are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from the heat and scoop the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread around into one even layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until fully chilled and the fudge is firm. Remove from the pan using the overhang from the parchment paper or foil, slice the fudge into pieces, and enjoy.
Easy Chocolate Fudge
This Fudge Recipe is the easiest way to make chocolate fudge. You only need three ingredients; it turns out so smooth and delicious.
Prep: 10min
Total: 15min
Yield: 36
Serving Size: 1 piece
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 piece, calories 155 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 19 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g
Ingredients:
- 3 cups chocolate chips (either semi-sweet or milk chocolate (18.6 ounces) see note 1)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk ((see note 2))
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instruction:
- Line an 8 inch by 8 inch baking dish with aluminim foil or two pieces of parchment paper overlapping to make an X.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk.
- Place the pan over medium low heat. Stir consistently until the chocolate is partially melted. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Continue stiring until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and starts to turn shiny.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. It will be very thick – if it doesn’t pour well because of the thickness, don’t stress, you’re still on the right track. Once it is all in the pan, you can gently shake the pan back and forth to help it settle. You can also use a rubber spatula to spread it.
- Allow the fudge to completely set. This can be done on the countertop and will take about four hours.
- Remove the fudge from the pan and take off the aluminum foil. Trim off the rounded edges from the pan. Cut the fudge in half one way and then the other to make four equal squares. Cut each small square into 9 equal pieces by cutting into thirds one way and then the other. This will result in 36 equal pieces of fudge.
- Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. (See the post for instructions on freezing.)
