Looking for an easy fudge recipe? Traditional fudge is a sweet confection made from butter, chocolate and sugar. It’s usually cooked until it reaches a high temperature, which gives it its signature firm, yet soft texture. Stovetop versions like triple chocolate fudge or peppermint fudge are totally worth the work, but can be intimidating. Like other homemade candy recipes, you need patience, practice and a candy thermometer. Thankfully, our easy fudge recipe uses a sweet shortcut and only calls for the use of a microwave.
Semisweet chocolate chips give the fudge its chocolaty base and chopped pecans fill the fudge with a nice crunch and subtle sweetness. If you like experimenting with flavors or need to make dietary adjustments, there are plenty of variations below!
Easy Fudge Ingredients
- Butter: A small amount of butter lining the pan helps the fudge separate from the pan. You can substitute margarine or plant-based butter, if you prefer.
- Pecans: Chopped pecans are a crunchy complement to smooth chocolate in this easy fudge recipe with condensed milk.
- Chocolate chips: Semisweet chocolate chips have a nice balance of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor. You’ll need 3 cups of chocolate. One 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips contains about 2 cups, so purchase two bags and you’ll have leftovers for chocolate chip cookies.
- Sweetened condensed milk: A can of sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk!) is the key ingredient. The cooked mixture of milk and sugar combines with the chocolate to give the finished fudge a creamy texture.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla extract heightens the flavor of the chocolate.
Directions
Step 1: Toast the pecans
Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and butter the foil; set aside. Place pecans in a microwave-safe pie plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for three minutes, stirring after each minute; set aside.
Editor’s Tip: The step of microwaving the nuts on their own before mixing them into the fudge warms them, which gives them a richer, rounder flavor in the finished candy.
Step 2: Melt the chocolate
In a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and milk. Microwave, uncovered, on high for one minute. Stir until smooth. Stir in the vanilla and 3/4 cup of pecans. Immediately spread into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining pecans, pressing to adhere.
Step 3: Chill and slice
Cover and refrigerate until firm, about two hours. Remove the fudge from pan and cut the slab into 1-inch squares. Cover and store at room temperature.
Easy Fudge Recipe Variations
- Swap out the pecans: Trade any other nut you like in place of the pecans including macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts or even a mix of nuts. Use already roasted nuts and you can skip the first recipe step of microwaving them.
- Change up the chocolate: Substitute milk, dark or white chocolate chips in place of the semisweet chips to customize the recipe.
- Add other mix-ins: Feel free to mix in dried or freeze-dried fruit, mini marshmallows, cookie pieces, pretzels or candies to customize this recipe with any combination you can imagine.
How to Store Easy Fudge
Store cut fudge layered with parchment or waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. You’ll know it’s time to say goodbye when it loses enough moisture that the texture becomes crumbly and dry instead of soft and pliable.
Can you freeze easy fudge?
To freeze this fudge, layer it with parchment or waxed paper and store it in the freezer in an airtight container. It will last for up to three months in the freezer.
Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe Tips
Do you need to use chocolate to make fudge?
No way! Though traditional fudge has a base of chocolate, and chocolate remains one of the most popular types of fudge, there are many other fun flavors to try. This recipe is formulated with chocolate chips as a base, but some of our favorite fudge recipes are chocolate-free and instead use peanut butter, butterscotch and even Tootsie Rolls as the starring flavors instead.
Why didn’t my fudge set?
If your fudge doesn’t set correctly, it probably didn’t get hot enough when you melted the chocolate and condensed milk together. Check the power settings on your microwave and see these common fudge mistakes to help make the best batch possible.
How do you slice fudge neatly?
In order to slice fudge in squares with sharp corners, have the fudge well-chilled. Choose a sharp knife, either a small serrated utility knife or a large chef’s knife and dip it in hot water. Dry the blade and then make a single slice, rather than a sawing motion. Wipe the blade clean and then repeat the process of dipping it before slicing again for the best results.
