Tootsie Roll Fudge

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + cooling

Makes

about 2 pounds

Updated: Dec. 17, 2022
When my husband came home with 50 pounds of Tootsie Rolls he bought at a discount store, I had to figure out a way to use them so I came up with this Tootsie Roll fudge recipe! A red or green M&M's candy atop each piece makes them extra jolly. —Carolyn McDill, Ohatchee, Alabama
Tootsie Roll Fudge Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 2 cups Tootsie Roll Midgees
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/3 cup green and red M&M's

Directions

  1. Line a 9-in. square pan with foil. Grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, melt the Tootsie Rolls, peanut butter and remaining butter over low heat, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla (mixture will be very thick). Fold in pecans.
  2. Spread into prepared pan. Using a sharp knife, score the surface into 1-in. squares. Press an M&M's candy into the center of each square. Cool. Using foil, remove fudge from pan; cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.

Tootsie Roll Fudge Tips

Can I melt Tootsie Rolls in the microwave?

Yes! You can melt the mixture of Tootsie Rolls, peanut butter and butter in the microwave. For best results, we recommend microwaving in 10-15-second increments. After 10 seconds, remove the mixture from the microwave, stir, and return to the microwave until the mixture is melted (the mixture will be thick). Here are more tips on how to make fudge.

Can I substitute peanuts or another kind of nut for the pecans?

Feel free to use peanuts, cashews, walnuts or mixed nuts in place of the pecans in this recipe. Or omit the nuts altogether if they’re not your thing. You can also swap the vanilla extract for almond extract for a sweet twist. The red and green M&M’s add festive flair to this fudge, but you could also use Reese’s Pieces to complement the peanut butter flavor in this recipe. Be sure to use a regular brand of peanut butter when making this fudge. Natural peanut butter or other nut butters that have oil separation may not yield the same result.

How do I store Tootsie Roll fudge?

Store the fudge in a covered airtight container for up to 1 week. Check out these other fudge recipes for when you’re craving a sweet treat.

—Amy Glander, Taste of Home Book Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 67 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 11mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.