Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published December 13, 2018. Updated October 23, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

  • Jump to Recipe
  • Share
  • Comments
  • Print
  • Save

Fudge is a holiday staple and this recipe for it is so straightforward and foolproof! It only requires 5 ingredients (you could even omit the salt and nuts and make that 3) and everyone loves it! It’s deliciously rich and chocolaty and it’s perfect for gifting. Who doesn’t love fudge?

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (1)

The Easiest Fudge Recipe Ever!

If candy making isn’t your thing then this is most definitely the recipe for you, anybody can make this simple fudge!

It can be made on the stovetop or in the microwave. I’ve tried both several times and my personal preference is the actually the microwave because there’s less stirring and attending to it and it’s faster. But either method will work great based on what you prefer.

Once you try it it’s a recipe you’ll have on repeat ever year when the holidays roll around! Give it as gifts but just be sure to save a small stash for yourself.

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (2)

Ingredients You’ll Need for Fudge:

Here’s the 5 basic ingredients you’ll need:

  • Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • Salt
  • Vanilla
  • Walnuts or pecans (optional)

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (3)

How to Make Fudge on the Stovetop:

  • In a medium saucepan stir together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate chips have melted.
  • Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and nuts. Pour into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
  • Chill until set, about 2 hours. Lift from pan using parchment then cut into squares.

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (4)

How to Make Fudge in the Microwave:

  • In a medium microwave safe bowl stir together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt.
  • Heat in microwave on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring well between intervals, until melted and smooth (it should take about 5 – 6 cooking periods).
  • Stir in vanilla and nuts. Spread into prepared dish and chill until set, about 2 hours. Cut into squares.

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (5)

Tips for This Recipe

  • Don’t use low fat or fat free sweetened condensed milk or it could throw off the consistency and it won’t be as rich.
  • You can also use a blend of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate for fudge with a more mild milk chocolate flavor.
  • Can I freeze it? Fudge freezes, well wrap in foil and store in an airtight container in freezer.

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (6)

More Easy Christmas Treats You’ll Love:

  • Microwave Caramels
  • Microwave Peanut Brittle
  • Sweet Holiday Chex Mix
  • Candied Pecans
  • No Bake Cookies
  • Turtle Pretzels

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (7)

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (8)

4.96 from 23 votes

Print Recipe

Easy Fudge (Microwave or Stovetop)

  • Review Recipe
  • Save

Fudge is a holiday staple and this recipe for it is so straightforward and foolproof! It only requires 5 ingredients (you could even omit the salt and nuts and make that 3) and everyone loves it! It's deliciously rich and chocolaty and it's perfect for gifting. Who doesn't love fudge??

Servings: 30

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Butter and line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper (leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides), butter parchment.

Stovetop Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan stir together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt.

  • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate chips have melted.

  • Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and nuts. Pour into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.

  • Chill until set, about 2 hours. Lift from pan using parchment then cut into squares.

Microwave Instructions

  • In a medium microwave safe bowl stir together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt.

  • Heat in microwave on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring well between intervals, until melted and smooth (it should take about 5 - 6 cooking periods).

  • Stir in vanilla and nuts. Spread into prepared dish and chill until set, about 2 hours. Cut into squares.

Notes

  • *For the milk chocolate version use 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup milk chocolate chips.
  • Recipe adapted from Eagle

Nutrition Facts

Easy Fudge (Microwave or Stovetop)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 167Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 5mg2%

Sodium 19mg1%

Potassium 162mg5%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 13g14%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 45IU1%

Vitamin C 0.4mg0%

Calcium 52mg5%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Fudge Recipe

Author: Jaclyn

Categorized:

  • Christmas
  • Desserts
  • Treats and Snacks

Tagged:

  • chocolate chips
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • vanilla extract
  • walnuts

You Might Also Like:

  • Easy Hot Fudge Sauce
  • Rocky Road Fudge Bites
  • The Best Hot Fudge Sauce
  • Simple Hot Fudge Sauce (only 5 ingredients)

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

126 Comments

  • Kath Wigan

    Thanks Jaclyn

    • Jaclyn

      Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (13)

      You’re welcome Kath!

  • Martha Winders

    I couldn’t find the chocolate wafer cookies where I live. Therefore I used the thin chocolate Oreo’s (thin Oreo’s with chocolate crème). And I found peppermint crumbles in the baking aisle department which worked well. Simple and so easy.

  • Geniva

    Mind didn’t get hard how can I fix it

    • Jaclyn

      Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (14)

      I would keep in the freezer for a little bit.

  • Teresa Waddell

    I have made many different fudge recipes but this one is way too sweet. Some of the other recipes called for unsweetened condensed milk. That’s where I believe this one went wrong.

  • Susan

    Can this recipe be used to pour into small molds for Easter candy shapes?

    • Jaclyn

      Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (15)

      That should work as long as the molds are greased.

  • James miller

    Definitely not my normal fudge but I liked it. Came out darker than the photos shown here

  • alex

    i just tried this but why is it so oily?):

    • Jaclyn

      Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (16)

      I’m sorry to hear that! It may be based on the brand of chocolate chips used it shouldn’t be oily.

More Comments

Easiest Fudge Recipe (Microwave or Stovetop) - Cooking Classy (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

Why didn't my microwave fudge harden? ›

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 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.

How do you make fudge not hard? ›

Too cooked

The result is hard and brittle fudge. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.) of 35% cream and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely melted. Then let it boil without stirring until the thermometer reaches 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

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

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

Why is my microwave fudge grainy? ›

Fudge usually behaves this way when it's not cooked to a high enough temperature (due to oversight or a faulty candy thermometer). If your fudge is tough, hard, or grainy, then you may have made one of several mistakes: You may have overcooked it, beaten it too long, or neglected to cool it to the proper temperature.

What happens if you don't boil fudge long enough? ›

Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft.

What to do with failed fudge? ›

My advice to you is to just pour it in a jar, call it something else delicious, and pretend you meant for it to be that way. The nice thing about my “failed” fudge is that it tastes absolutely delicious! A spoonful of the delectable treat will make you want for more.

Why did my fudge turn out like taffy? ›

If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

What went wrong with my fudge? ›

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. Pay attention to the timetable specified in the recipe, and you'll get the hang of it after a batch or two.

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.

What makes fudge firmer? ›

If your fudge fails to harden in the fridge, it means that you probably didn't cook it to the right temperature. Fudge is a candy, and that means it is extremely picky about temperature - fudge must be cooked to precisely 237–239 degrees Fahrenheit so that sugar forms the desired consistency when cooled.

How to fix microwave 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).

Can you soften fudge in the microwave? ›

If you are a student from baking classes in Chennai Velachery then you might know the other option to soften the fudge is by using a microwave. Cut the fudge into small pieces around one inch and put it on the plate and place each fudge with the distance in between.

What makes fudge so good? ›

It's the size of sugar crystals that makes the knees of fudge lovers buckle…the smaller the crystals, the less they are perceived on the tongue and the more the fudge tastes smooth and creamy. Cooking, and beating after cooking, is the key to successful fudge.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.

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!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6069

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.