Quick and Easy Chocolate Fudge
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This Easy Chocolate Fudge recipe is made with just 3 ingredients! Chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla come together to make a homemade fudge that’s bursting with chocolate flavor. It’s a simple treat to put together for gifts and sharing this holiday season.
Easy Homemade Chocolate Fudge
I’ve been loving testing out new fudge recipes lately. Did you catch my Easy White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge recently? SO good! Both that fudge and this one are so rich and creamy, it’s hard to stop eating them!
Now, there are two great things I’ve found about fudge lately. One – it can be incredibly easy to make. And two – it’s a delicious treat to snack on when taking care of twins. 😉 The only problem with that is it might be too easy.
But of course easy is exactly what we need this time of year. So much going on, so little time and oh my gosh, Christmas is like 10 days away. When did that happen?!? I’m so not ready. And if you’re not fully prepared and need something quick, this fudge is for you. Not to mention, it’s a great chocolate fix if you’re losing your mind a bit and chocolate makes you feel better. 🙂
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE FUDGE
So to get started making this easy chocolate fudge, you’ll need just three ingredients – chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Hopefully you’re like me and already have those 3 things in your pantry at all times.
Grab a 9×9 inch pan and line it with parchment paper and set that aside. Then put the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk into a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave them for one minute, then stir to combine and let the residual heat do as much of the melting as it can. If it needs another 30 seconds or so, go ahead and heat it some more, then stir it until it’s melted.
Once everything is melted together, add the vanilla extract and combine everything. Working quickly, pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Let the fudge cool to room temperature before cutting into squares. You could also let it cool in the fridge to speed up the process, but it doesn’t have to be refrigerated.
THIS FUDGE RECIPE ONLY TAKES 3 MINUTES!
This chocolate fudge is so easy to make, it takes all of about three minutes! A minute to prepare the pan and ingredients, a minute to melt the chocolate and a minute to spread it out into the pan. Seriously – SO EASY! You will be enjoying the best chocolate fudge before you know it! Dense, rich, chocolatey, delicious! What are you waiting for?!
Read Transcript
Easy Chocolate Fudge
This easy chocolate fudge recipe is made with just 3 ingredients and is full of rich chocolate flavor! A simple Christmas or holiday gift you’ll love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 20-25 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups (12oz) semi sweet chocolate chips (do not use milk chocolate)
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Line a 9×9 square pan with parchment paper that covers the sides of the pan.
2. Place the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl and microwave for one minute. Stir well to combine and allow the heat to melt the chocolate chips. If needed, microwave for another 30 seconds or so, until the chocolate is completely smooth.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract, then quickly transfer the mixture to the lined pan and spread evenly.
4. Refrigerate the fudge until firm, 2-3 hours.
5. Cut the fudge while it’s still cold (right out the the fridge) and store in an air tight container. Fudge can be stored at either room temperature or the fridge. It will be softer at room temperature.
Keywords: easy chocolate fudge, 3 minute fudge, chocolate fudge recipe, how to make fudge,
Enjoy!
I'm a wife and mom to twin boys and a sweet black lab with a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the sugar!
This recipe is easy-peasy and yummy. I have a question though, how do I print out your recipes? I always have to write them down in order to keep them for later as there isn’t a ‘print’ option included (that I can see).
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The print option is fixed for this recipe now! There’s a red button labeled “print” in the pink recipe card. Just hit that button and it brings up the printable version of the recipe.
ctrl p or press the 3 little dots in the right hand corner
hey girl- this looks so yummy!
What I want to know is…how do you cut it to make it look so pretty!?
Dental floss !!!!
Do you remove the whole uncut fudge then cut it with floss?
Yes. Remove from pan
★★★★★
I use a pizza cutter.
I have been making my fudge this way for the past 30 years.
★★★★★
So so easy! And so yummy! I only had milk chocolate so I Added an extra 1/4cup of choc chips and it set perfectly!
I gave it out as as Xmas gifts, was a hit! 😊
And have already shared the recipe with two other people.
★★★★★
Wonderful! So glad to hear it was a hit!
Alex, I do not have any sweetened condensed milk. Did you use 14 oz of milk and you added an extra 1/4c chips? It gave you the correct taste and consistency? I want to make it but afraid it won’t come out right
This is the easiest fudge I have ever made!!!!
Everyone loves it when I make it. I have also given this recipe to several people. It sets perfectly. I will try cutting it with dental floss next time…. that’s a first for me.
★★★★★
I make this recipe for my mother and she thinks I have gone to a lot of trouble.
So easy it is.
I love how easy this fudge is to make!
Hello. Do I have to use choc chips, or can I just weigh out the same quantity of normal dairy milk chocolate? Thanks
As in chocolate milk? No, you need chocolate chips or a chocolate baking bar. Something solid.
yes you can is the dairy milk chocolate bar i used a entire block of cadburys
Can I use extra dark chocolate chips (63% cacao)?
Sure!
I have actually been wanting to make fudge for people this holiday. This fudge looks so nice and easy to make, that it’s probably the fudge I will be making soon. Thanks for sharing this delicious looking recipe! Also, I am seriously in love with fudge, and this recipe will probably be my go to!
★★★★★
Made this and it is in the refrigerator and is still very very soft. Measurements were correct. Any ideas?
Well it depends on how long it’s been in the fridge. What I usually find with things that need to be refrigerated is that they are best the next day. Have you cut them into squares yet?
Wow! That looks nicer than fudge you’d pay $10.00 per pound for at an upscale candy shop! Just wondering if this would freeze well, Lindsay? If not, how long do you think it would keep in an air tight container (room temperature or fridge)? Thank you!
It should be fine for a week or two at room temperature and maybe another week in the fridge. I haven’t tried freezing it, but I think it’d be fine.
This fudge does well in the freezer. I can say it last a while if u hide it from the people trying to eat it up… I make it about 2 weeks in advance for Christmas along with a variety of other homemade candies as well so I do the easiest first, the rest takes way more time and focus for me 😂. Also, if it comes in chip form (butterscotch, peanut butter, etc…), I use it and it all turns out well. My favorite is dark chocolate with pecans! This IS my first time using the microwave and well, it’s way easier than using a double boiler! Thanks so much!
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I made the chocolate fudge and everyone loved it.
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So glad to hear it! Thanks Michelle!
Gave this recipe a whirl and ended up with something more along the lines of melted chocolate cooled in a baking pan than a fudge :/
Any thoughts on how I managed to mangle such a simply recipe?
A couple possibilities. One would be that maybe a measurement of either ingredient was off. The other possibility would be related to the chocolate. The recipe specifies semi sweet chocolate. Did you by chance use milk chocolate? The amount of cocoa solids in the two different kinds of chocolate actually changes the consistency when melted.
Loved your easy chocolate fudge, but my cravings are for maple, do you by any chance have one for that? My experiments don’t work out well. ???? thanks. ☺
I would think this fudge would probably work best for that. You could add maple extract to it, just leave out the cranberries. I hope this is helpful!
Hello, I ordered Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Bits from Amazon ( a vendor). They were not shipped correctly and arrived in BAR shapes. LOGS! I would like to know if you think I can melt them down and use this recipe? Would you still choose the vanilla flavoring or use a peppermint extract? I was so ANGRY. Amazon refunded my order but would NOT allow me to comment on the seller’s lack of due diligence. so that others would not experience what I did. Thank you. LOVE your blog!
I haven’t ever tried this with Andes mints, but that sounds awesome! You could try a little mint extract, but also add vanilla – just a little less.
I’m sure this works normally, but I didn’t have chocolate chips so I used 1 and a half cups of caramel chocolate and 3/4 cup of milk chocolate, and I halved the condensed milk, so that it would harden properly. I refrigerated it and it didn’t harden fully. It wouldn’t come off the parchment and it was very sticky. It still tasted good.
★★★★★
Have you ever added nuts or marshmallows (or anything) to this fudge? Curious if it would be ok. Thanks!
I haven’t, but I think it would be perfectly fine.
Super easy recipe love the taste and the kids enjoyed making it as well, I have got myself in a pickle none of the fudges we made want to set right nor do they want to lift off the parchment paper. The kids started getting aggravated so we opted to make truffles with the fudge they made. I see in above comments you said the recipe called for semi sweet, is there a version of this where you can use white or milk chocolate??
★★★★★
Here is a white chocolate version. I don’t have a milk chocolate one though. https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/easy-white-chocolate-cranberry-fudge/
I have yet to use this recipe an when I do I will be sure to let y’all know how it turns out
Can’t seem to reply to your comment (also sorry to whoever’s comment I accidentally hi-jacked with my original mobile comment). The can of milk I bought and used was 14oz and the bag of chips bought and used was 12oz.
I used semi sweet as called for in the recipe.
Hmm, then I’m not sure. I wish I could be more help!
Thank you for taking the time to reply 🙂 I guess the Universe had decided it just wasn’t a fudge day for me. Everyone who tried to said they liked it though. It wouldn’t be the first time I’m the only one unhappy with how one of my treats came out, haha.
I’ve had the same problem. Happens every time I make it and I’ve tried about 5 times. It never set up and is super soft
Maybe you didn’t get it hot enough? 🤷🏻♀️
Thank you so so much. My son has a school gala and this recipe was a lifesaver.
Glad you were happy with it!
I used this recipe and for some reason it didn’t set and stuck to the paper can you help with some answers as to what I may have done wrong. The only thing I did different was I used a double boiler to melt the chocolate in the condensed milk.
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Hmm, I’m not sure. It’s really just a balance of the milk with the chocolate chips, which firm it up. You could try refrigerating it a little bit longer, to make sure it’s completely cooled and firm. You could also try adding a few more chocolate chips to the mixture next time to make it a little firmer.
I made this with milk chocolate and it was a bit soft. What is semi sweet chocolate? I don’t think we have it in the UK. Could I use dark chocolate instead?
Different kinds of chocolate have different ingredients in them. Milk chocolate has less cocoa powder and more butter and milk in it, so it’s going to lend a softer fudge. Semi sweet chocolate is kind of a cross between milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Not as sweet as milk chocolate, but not as bitter as dark chocolate. You could try the dark chocolate. It will definitely be firmer, I’m just not sure if it’ll be too firm. You could also try using a mix of dark and milk chocolate (maybe a little more of the dark chocolate) if you can’t find semi sweet.
Thank you, I will give it a try. The white chocolate and cranberry recipe is also fab.
★★★★★
Hi! All,
I made this fudge, and like several of you, it was super soft and stuck to the parchment. Not one to give up, I did a little research. Google revealed that the official recipe from Eagle Brand calls for 18 ounces of semi sweet chips.
I made this quick adjustment and my second batch was perfection! 🙂
Also, the official recipe says you can use milk choclate. It suggests a combination of semi sweet and milk.
Crushed peppermint, or Andes, or almost anything else you can think of can be added to create new flavor profiles.
Thanks for the recipe Lindsay! My mom always made fantasty fudge with marshmallow creme, and this is WAAAAAAY easier and faster!
I have a quick question…
The recipe calls for 2 cups which would be 16 oz. But then in parenthesis it says 12oz,
So which one do I need to go by?
So for me, 2 cups is 6 oz. I measure by weight, so I used 12 oz.
I saw somewhere you commented on Condensed Milk vs Evaporated Milk….can’t find the thread
If I used half semi sweet choc chips and half peanut butter chips would it still turn out ok as fudge?
You would likely need to adjust the amount of milk too. Peanut butter chips have a very different consistency from chocolate.
Mine set up just fine. I skipped the parchment paper and just heavily buttered my pan. I added sliced almonds and coconut – it was amazing! Almost like Almond Joy.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made fudge with my mother as a child for the holidays, along with russian teacakes.cookies cake pops and all kinds of yummy baked goods.
I remember fudge being much harder than this!! Im getting ready to try out this recipe. Im very excited!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!!!
Hope it turns out as delicious as it looks!!😜
Hey Vee, harder fudge is called tablet fudge or sometime Scottish tablet fudge. Very yummy just different to this softer one which is like a mix of caramel and fudge.
I just made this fudge today and used Nestle’s Espresso Morsels!! I hope it’s delicious!!
I hope you enjoyed it!
Mine turned out to be too little
★★★★★
How many oz of fudge does this make?
★★★★★
I’m not sure. I never measured it in terms of ounces.
should be around 32 ounces after you figure the milk, choc chips and vanilla.
Would it be possible for me to use the fudge as a centre for lava cakes?
I’m guessing this would be a little firm for that.
after making just the basic choc, i decided to step outside the box an make rocky road fudge. winner!!!!!! adding mini marshmallows and honey peanuts after a good blending really made this fudge amazing. try it
★★★★★
Sounds delicious! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I’ve made this fudge in the past & have added nuts to one batch & marshmallows for rocky road fudge & it is delicious
This recipe is so yummy and simple!
★★★★★
Hi Lindsay,
I don’t have chocolate chips available.
Would I be able to replace the chocolate chips with Hershey’s Cocoa? If so do you know the amount of cocoa that would be equal the amount of chocolate chips?
Thanks
Joyce
No, you will need chocolate chips. It’s not just that they add the chocolate flavor, but the firm texture of them helps to firm up the fudge.
I used your recipe and added lots of toppings too! Love it 😁
I made this yesterday. We love it! So simple to make too. Cooked one minute in microwave, stirred quickly, adding in vanilla. Set well. I did set it in freezer for an hour to speed up set time. Just a great fudge recipe. Looks and tastes like the best of them. Thank you so much for sharing.
So much easier than stovetop!!
★★★★★
Just a kid who wanted to make something for his family it was delicious and thank u for insane desert my dad and mom loved it! Keep up the good work!
it didnt set and came out bitter and soft i followed the recipe exactly i recommened you find another recipe
Can you do this with peanut butter chips?
No, it wouldn’t turn out the same.
Can you use 12 oz of chopped chocolate baking squares or it needs to be chips? Thanks!
Baking chocolate should be fine.
I’m making up hampers of homemade goodies for Christmas this year and tested this recipe at the weekend – in keeping with the Christmas theme I added a teaspoon of orange essense, a teaspoon of orange zest and a handful of dried cranberries. Was super delicious and so easy. Thank you for a great recipe.
★★★★★
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sorry but I am confused by your statement for you 2 cups is 6 oz.!! Any measuring cup I have seen even being taught in school 1 cup is 8 oz; 2 cups is 16 oz.!!
For liquid, 1 cup is 8 ounces. Not by weight though. Chocolate chips should be measured by weight to be most accurate.
I made this today but for some reason, it is not hardening. I have had it in the fridge for a few hrs now, but I can not cut it. What could I have done wrong?
I do not have a microwave so I heated the condensed milk in a saucepan with the chocolate, added the vanilla and some walnuts and then put it in the pan. It’s solid but not hard enough to cut…
Did you use semi sweet chocolate or another kind?
I’m confused. People are giving this five stars when they haven’t even made it! Or they had problems with it. How can readers have any confidence if the rating system isn’t accurate?
Agreed. I followed recipe faithfully and it did not set. Needed more chocolate. Wouldn’t have used the recipe if not for the stars it was given.
Thanks for the recipe, it looks so good! I want to make these for Christmas. Can I make it in cupcake liners? Or would it stick to the paper?
It should be fine in cupcake liners.
Lindsay, I just want to say thank you for this recipe and thread. To all of us that love baking and need a jump point to start our own adventures, your recipe is one of the best. Its’ simplicity allows for experiementation, but gives clear boundaries to explain the reasons for its consistency. Keep up all your hard work!
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Glad you enjoyed it!
I make a peanut butter fudge using 3 cups of reeses chips, a can of condensed milk and a half a cup of peanut butter. Micro. the same way and it turns out perfect every time and you can also use crunchy peanut butter.
About how long does it need to refrigerate for? We’re making cookies/candies tomorrow so I don’t know if I should do them tonight and let them harden overnight or can I do it the same day? In order to be able to cut them and enjoy them
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You should be able to do it same day. I’d refrigerate it for maybe an hour or so.
Just made this tonight and ended up using the pizza cutter to cut the pieces up. Best advice ever! Yummy fudge and so easy!!
Can you use a 9×12 pan?
You’d probably want to double the recipe.
I must admit I am very surprised that people are messaging that their fudge did not turn out right. This recipe is so delicious and the easiest thing I’ve ever made. One can of condensed milk, one package (300 grams) of semi sweet chocolate chips… microwave 45 seconds and then stir, back into microwave for about 45 sec. more and stir until completely smooth. Pour into 8×8 parchment lined pan. Keep in fridge…Easy peasy and so delicious
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I followed the recipe exactly but my batch is sticky & although it was refrigerated, you can’t even cut it. The “fudge” tastes ok but I couldn’t serve it to guests due to how i couldn’t cut it into pieces.
Did you use semi sweet chocolate?
Love it fast, easy and tastes great
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