If you’re looking for the best chocolate fudge recipe, then look no further! And it’s easy to make as well. No candy thermometer is required! It’s made on the stovetop with just 5 ingredients.
When it comes to Christmas I love baking up a storm. Maybe it’s some homemade Salted Honey Parker House Rolls for Christmas dinner. Or an Old Fashioned Apple Pie to serve at the end. And of course, we can’t forget all the cookies – from peanut butter blossoms, to my Grandma’s Russian Tea Cakes, and some easy No Chill Drop Sugar Cookies.
But what do you when your oven breaks during the holidays? YUP. That’s what happened. Suddenly all my baking plans went up in smoke. Literally. There was a moment of what now panic that sent in. And then it all clicked. No bake recipes – like peanut butter fudge, Chocolate Covered Oreos, decadent but easy Oreo balls, delicious Buckeye Balls or maybe this crazy good chocolate fudge.
This is a wonderful, easy condensed milk fudge recipe that’s made on the stovetop. Many fudge recipes are made with marshmallow creme, but this chocolate fudge recipe is made without any marshmallow recipe and condensed milk instead.
So who needs an oven?? Not me. (Ok, for the record a new one has been ordered and is coming!) But for now..I’ll whip up this best chocolate fudge recipe and enjoy that while I wait.
Why You Will Love This Chocolate Fudge Recipe
- Made on the stovetop (or could be made in your microwave)
- Uses just 5 ingredients – it’s an easy fudge recipe made with condensed milk
- No candy thermometer!
- Great for gifting during the holidays
- Takes minutes to mix together
- Made in just one bowl (aka your saucepan)
Ingredients Needed
How To Make Chocolate Fudge
- In a medium saucepan, set over medium-low heat, combine the chocolate chips, butter, and condensed milk, and salt together.
- Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
- Remove the fudge from the pan, lifting out the paper, and then cut into squares and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Line your pan with parchment paper. And make sure to leave some excess overhang so it’s easier to remove from the pan when it’s time to cut the fudge into squares.
- Cut the fudge while it’s cold. When you remove the fudge from the fridge, immediately cut the the fudge into squares while it’s cold. It will be easier to cut when it’s cold.
- Use a hot knife to cut the fudge. I run a sharp chef’s knife under hot water, then wipe clean, and then cut the fudge. The hot knife will slice cleanly through the fudge.
- Use semi-sweet chocolate chips not milk. Milk chocolate chips will make the fudge too sweet I think. You could always try with half semi-sweet and half milk chocolate chips.
- Cook over a medium-low heat. Do not turn the heat up too high or you may end up with burnt chocolate and your fudge may come out grainy.
Recipe Variations
If you’re looking for ways to mix up this easy chocolate fudge recipe, made with condensed milk here are some ideas:
- Chocolate Walnut Fudge – Stir in 1 cup toasted, chopped walnuts.
- M&M fudge – When the fudge is spread into the pan, sprinkle on 1/2 cup mini or regular M&M candies.
- Peppermint Fudge – Reduce the vanilla to 1 teaspoon, add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, and top the fudge with crushed candy canes.
- Oreo cookies – Crush up 24 Oreo cookies and fold into the fudge before spreading it into the pan.
- Nutella: Try making my Sea Salt Nutella Fudge!
Fudge Recipe FAQ’s
You can store the homemade chocolate fudge will last in a covered container, at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Yes you can freeze chocolate fudge for up to 3 months, in a covered container. Thaw at room temperature. Or you can thaw the whole block of fudge, and then when thawed, cut into squares.
Yes, but omit the additional salt.
Yes you can, just roughly chop the chocolate so it melts easier.
More Recipes To Try
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Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
- 3 cups (355 g, 18 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
- â…› teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside. I like to leave an overhang so I can easily lift the fudge out and cut it into squares.
- In a medium saucepan, set over medium-low heat, combine the chocolate chips, butter and condensed milk, and salt together. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
- Remove the fudge from the pan, lifting out the paper, and then cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Storage: You can store the homemade chocolate fudge will last in a covered container, at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
- Freezing: Yes you can freeze chocolate fudge for up to 3 months, in a covered container. Thaw at room temperature.
- Butter: If you only have salted butter, omit the salt in the recipe.Â
Kathryn Smith says
Easy, simple, & solid recipe. I also made marshmallows & graham crackers to put in the fudge to make it s’mores. With that added into it, it became too sweet for me but that means a little piece goes a long way. Side note: after I had made the fudge Mrs. Heather posted on Facebook her recipe for s’mores fudge, what a coincidence.
Heather says
glad you loved it 🙂 and yes we cut these into small squares for a reason haha
Kathryn Smith says
Easy, simple, solid recipe. I also made some graham crackers & marshmallows to put in the fudge for s’mores. I cut the marshmallows & graham crackers all mini. It turned out really great. Side note: After I made the fudge I saw on the Boston Girl Bakes Facebook group that Mrs. Heather has shared a new recipe for s’mores fudge. What a coincidence.
Diane says
Can I put chopped pecans in the fudge?
Heather says
Hi Diane..absolutely! I would maybe 1/2 cup to 1 cup. I would also recommend toasting them first to help bring out the flavor..enjoy!
Diane says
Thank you. I will do that.
Laura says
I didn’t know there was a recipe for fudge with out marshmallows.
manal says
thanks a lot sure i will try it
Kristen Wood says
This is the perfect fudge recipe — thank you so much! 🙂
Heather says
Thanks for your sweet comment, Kristen!
Maria San Juan says
Perfect for Christmas season! Will definitely make this for Christmas Eve!
Heather says
happy holidays =)
Gina says
I could eat a whole pound of this fudge! So easy to make and incredibly delicious and addicting!
Heather says
i know what you mean
Anjali says
This really is the best chocolate fudge I’ve ever had! It was rich and perfectly sweet. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make!
Heather says
wow – thank you
Jessica Formicola says
I absolutely love the simple ingredients this fudge has! Definitely making for my cookie trays!
Heather says
enjoy!
Tara says
Oh wow! You had me at just five ingredients. The texture of the fudge looks absolutely perfect.
Heather says
so easy, right?