Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Michael Chu

Adapted by Julia Moskin

Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (1)

Total Time
15 minutes
Rating
4(1,071)
Notes
Read community notes

“All candy-making is about preventing crystallization,” said Michael Chu, an engineer based in Austin, Tex., who writes about his kitchen experiments online at Cooking for Engineers. Mr. Chu’s chocolate fudge recipe, of which this is an adaptation, has the pleasantly cakey, almost sandy texture desirable in fudge, which can be tricky to achieve using milk and butter. He uses condensed milk to reduce the ingredients in the fudge to a mere three (salt is optional), and to eliminate the dreaded step of cooking the sugar syrup to the soft-ball stage. “The manufacturing process has already done that work for you,” he said. —Julia Moskin

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Ingredients

Yield:16 two-inch squares

  • 4tablespoons (½ stick) butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
  • 1pound semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
  • 1(14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • teaspoon salt (optional)
  • ½cup chopped nuts (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (16 servings)

266 calories; 16 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 33 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 29 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 53 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Butter an 8-inch-square baking pan. Line with parchment or wax paper, letting edges of paper hang over sides of pan.

  2. In top of a double boiler or a metal bowl set over (not resting in) simmering water, combine all ingredients except nuts. Mix just until melted and well combined. (Alternatively, use a microwave on low power to melt ingredients, stopping every 10 to 20 seconds to mix well.) The mixture should be heated as little as possible. Mix in nuts, if using.

  3. Step

    3

    Scrape mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours or overnight. Lift fudge on paper out of pan and use a large knife to cut into squares.

Ratings

4

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1,071

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Tsarina

People, this is the classic Eagle Brand Condensed Milk Magic Fudge recipe right off the can, although calling for semi sweet chocolate bits. I remember my mother making it when I was a grade schooler, and I'm 82, so you see it's a venerable recipe, and it's delicious. Frankly, I still regard it as defining fudge. A little respect, please, for an oldie but extremely goodie.

Kay

Have been making this for years, but with the addition of a teaspoon of vanilla. Sometimes I add some grated orange rind for something a little different.

mj

for fans of fudge this bears as much resemblance as a chips ahoy cookie bears to home baked. If you're just looking for something appallingly sweet with a hint of chocolate this is for you.

Otherwise I'd steer clear because this is only fudge in the mind of someone who grew up in the last 30 years.

Kathleen Stark

I have a recipe that is years old, i think from the early prat of the 20th century: cocoa powder, milk, sugar, vanilla and 2 tbsps. butter. I do use half and half. It's really fudge, and really yummy. I'm afraid I snub this kind of fudge.

juleezee

Goodness gracious people, don't be so hard on the guy! Things evolve, we don't gnaw on raw bones in a cave anymore. (wink) I've been making a similar recipe, albeit with Belgian Baking chocolate, which I have handwritten in my old recipe book, passed down from my mother, who got it from someone right after WWII. For real! But I also add raisins soaked overnight in cognac or whatever liqueur you like and then well drained to the mix. Takes it into a new direction. Try it.

Jasmin

I too have made a version of this for years. You will get more of a "fudgy" taste if you use 1/3 lb. milk chocolate and 2/3 lb. semi sweet. Also add the vanilla as noted below. I've never used butter, the fudge comes out fine without it. Use waxed paper to line your dish and it will peel right off when set.

hl

So funny to see this "upscale" version of an old standby that uses chocolate chips for the chocolate. And while either recipe is easy, neither has a really "fudgy" flavor. Sorry, but there is a distinctive fudge taste that these shortcut recipes just don't provide.

Greg

Laurel, try googling "penuche fudge" and you'll find lots of Southern ladies happy to share their recipes. The basic brown sugar version can be doctored up with all manner of flavors to make vanilla, maple, peanut butter, etc. variations.

Kelly

I threw this together on a Saturday night with a couple of modifications - I combined half semi-sweet and half dark chocolate chips for a darker, richer taste. Then after putting in pan, I sprinkled with a touch of coarse sea salt. It was a huge hit!

Sunipa

This is almost identical to Cook's Illustrated "15 minute Chocolate Walnut Fudge." Only differences are to use 16oz of semisweet chocolate PLUS 2oz of unsweetened, and also adds 1/2tsp of baking soda (which supposedly makes the finished product firmer). The notes also say to use Ghirardelli bars for the best flavor and to not skip the nuts (they reco a full cup of coarsely chopped walnuts), vanilla or salt.

Barb

1/3 lb milk chocolate & 2/3 lb semi sweet. 1 tsp vanilla

Patrick

Made a batch of this fudge with Ghiraardelli Semi-sweet chocolate and it turned out great.

Nana Devlin

Next time I will add some espresso coffee. Great recipe as is.

Sunipa

remove the chocolate from the double boiler BEFORE it's completely melted and stir off heat until it's smooth. as noted in the recipe, "the mixture should be heated as little as possible" because it will cause the product to be greasy and/or separate.

Laura

Use almond bark. You can make delicious eggnog fudge substituting almond bark for chocolate, and eggnog for condensed milk.

Lisa B

Arggh! I have chocolate swimming in a pool of butter, despite much stirring and scraping. So simple, but really frustrating! I'll go make banana bread and fruitcake instead!

Kate

Many years ago, I made this recipe for all my girls' school events. It was always a hit, and so easy for a busy mom! Now the girls are grown and hubby has acquired a taste for late night sweets...thanks for reminding me of this!

AD

Why is this no longer called “Absurdly Easy Chocolate Fudge?” It IS absurdly easy. It is also insanely good.

Cristin Rich

the fudge is excellent (of course you must use good quality chocolate as an ingredient), quick, easy, divine.

M Parlett

I forgot the butter, but it didn't matter at all. 1 tin condensed milk, a 16 oz bag of chocolate chips, tspn vanilla extract, a half cup of chopped pecans, 2 tspn rum! Batch 1. Batch 2 used half chocolate, half peanut butter chips, and half a cup of crushed salted macadamia nuts.

Adrienne

I added flakey maldon salt before setting. Delicious!

Janners

Notes ideas:add 1 tsp vanilla2 T cocoa powder1/2 tsp baking soda (C.I. version) "doesn't need butter"

Charity K

I've made this as posted several times, but leave out the optional nuts. It's creamy, not-too-rich, simple, and doesn't have that grainy, sugar crystal feel.

Gina G

I cooked this to spec and used 70% cocoa. I think I used to rich of a cocoa and recommend scaling back to 50 or 60%. Its too dense for my pleasure. I did sprinkle Maldon salt over the top which adds a little something!

Michelle H

Ok I have to say I am not a fan of this one. If I’m going quick and easy, I like Mrs. Eisenhower’s fudge. This one is too dense. I prefer mine with more air. Marshmallow cream gives you the beaten fluff consistency.

Greg

I made this with 62% Aldi chocolate and home made condensed milk. My wife says it's not fudge, I think it's closer to flour-less chocolate cake with nuts. I'm very happy with it, a great pandemic recipe albeit old. Maybe it will be different on day 2. It only sat in the fridge for 4.5 hours.

Margie

This in no way resembles fudge. The texture is off. The taste is off. I do not recommend.

melinda

There are so many recipes like this. I remember doing it with marshmallow fluff. It’s a definite candy but it’s not fudge. You have to take turns beating that fudge. If you were good at dropping a ball into a glass of cold water to determine the “stage” you were rewarded with creamy fudge. If not you got a pan coated with sugar concrete and Sandy texture. Half the fun was making it.

Cody E

I didn’t like this very much- the flavor wasn’t right on and the fudge was kind of gummy- it didn’t have that bit of crystallized sugar feel to it- I wouldn’t make this again - it was easy but not worth it

Annie

Made this yesterday and it received good reviews. I’m making another batch today. Yesterday I started with 12oz Ghirardelli bittersweet chips and added 3oz of their milk chocolate chips and an oz of Hershey’s bittersweet melting chocolate. Also added a fourth tsp. espresso powder, vanilla, and more salt. As it was cooling I sprinkled half of it with salt. These reviews are helpful. Thanks to all who share their suggestions.

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Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (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

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Use Evaporated Milk- Make sure to use evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk. If you accidentally use sweetened condensed milk your fudge will be incredibly over the top sweet. Cut up the Butter– Before adding the butter in make sure to cut it into smaller pieces for faster melting.

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.

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.

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.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

Why won t my condensed milk fudge set? ›

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).

Why won't my condensed milk fudge set? ›

It sounds like your fudge simply wasn't heated enough. Fudge is basically a superconcentrated syrup, and it sets when sugar dissolved in the water (from the butter and milk) comes out of solution as the mixture cools and forms crystals.

What happens if you use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk? ›

For the most part, if you find yourself without condensed milk on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of evaporated milk. The consistency will be the same, but since evaporated milk is unsweetened, you'll need to add sweetener to match the recipe's intended flavor profile or to suit your personal preference.

Can I fix fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

How do you firm up homemade fudge? ›

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. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

Can you fix fudge that didn't harden? ›

How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

Is fudge healthier than chocolate? ›

Fudge typically contains more sugar than chocolate, so it may not be the best choice for those looking to limit their sugar intake. On the other hand, dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants and can provide health benefits when consumed in moderation.

What is traditional fudge made of? ›

At its simplest, fudge is a dense, soft candy, often made with sugar and dairy products like butter and milk. Nowadays, fudge is usually flavored with chocolate, but you can utilize pretty much any flavor, such as peanut butter, pumpkin, even birthday cake.

Why is chocolate fudge so good? ›

Cream or milk, sugar, and butter are slowly boiled down until slightly thickened and light caramel-colored. This boiling-down process not only gives the sauce it's great gooey texture, but also contributes that special “fudgey” taste to the chocolate.

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).

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.

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 keeps fudge from getting hard? ›

Too Soft or Too Hard 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.

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