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

Servings 1 - 8" Pan

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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  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? ›

The trick to good homemade fudge is to cook the ingredients to the right temperature to form a sugar syrup, and cool the mixture properly so the texture of the fudge turns out smooth and firm, but soft enough to cut.

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

Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to a boil, do not stir it. If you do, the sugar can crystallize, giving your fudge a gritty texture. As you beat the fudge, pay attention to color and texture. Once the fudge loses its sheen and thickens, put down your spoon.

What ingredient makes fudge hard? ›

As water gradually evaporates, sugar is concentrated and the temperature of the mixture rises above 100°C (212°F). 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.

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

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 do you beat fudge? ›

If you beat it by hand with a wooden spoon, crystallization can take between 5 to 15 minutes. The process is much faster with an electric mixer, just 2 to 3 minutes. The mixture is ready to be poured into a pan when it has visibly thickened and lost a bit of its luster.

How to get fudge to harden? ›

Freeze it for an hour or put it in the fridge for a few hours. It'll harden up enough to slice it.

How long to boil fudge 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.

What to do with failed fudge? ›

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 is the soft ball test for fudge? ›

making of fudge

termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

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 is traditional fudge made of? ›

Fudge is a dense, rich confection typically made with sugar, milk or cream, butter and chocolate or other flavorings. The base for fudge is boiled until it reaches the soft-ball stage (135 to 140 degrees F), then stirred or beaten as it cools to minimize the formation of sugar crystals.

What is the fudge factor cheating? ›

Dan Ariely: We came up with this idea of a fudge factor, which means that people have two goals: We have a goal to look at ourselves in the mirror and feel good about ourselves, and we have a goal to cheat and benefit from cheating.

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.

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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