The Best Chocolate Fudge Recipe (2024)

Created By:Heather on December 6, 2021 | Updated: August 19, 2022

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If you’re looking for the best chocolate fudge recipe, then look no further! And it’s easy to make as well. No candy thermometer is required! It’s made on the stovetop with just 5 ingredients.

When it comes to Christmas I love baking up a storm. Maybe it’s some homemade Salted Honey Parker House Rolls for Christmas dinner. Or an Old Fashioned Apple Pie to serve at the end. And of course, we can’t forget all the cookies – from peanut butter blossoms, to my Grandma’s Russian Tea Cakes, and some easy No Chill Drop Sugar Cookies.

But what do you when your oven breaks during the holidays? YUP. That’s what happened. Suddenly all my baking plans went up in smoke. Literally. There was a moment of what now panic that sent in. And then it all clicked. No bake recipes – like peanut butter fudge, Chocolate Covered Oreos, decadent but easy Oreo balls, delicious Buckeye Balls or maybe this crazy good chocolate fudge.

This is a wonderful, easy condensed milk fudge recipe that’s made on the stovetop. Many fudge recipes are made with marshmallow creme, but this chocolate fudge recipe is made without any marshmallow recipe and condensed milk instead.

So who needs an oven?? Not me. (Ok, for the record a new one has been ordered and is coming!) But for now..I’ll whip up this best chocolate fudge recipe and enjoy that while I wait.

Why You Will Love This Chocolate Fudge Recipe

Made on the stovetop (or could be made in your microwave)
Uses just 5 ingredients – it’s an easy fudge recipe made with condensed milk
No candy thermometer!
Great for gifting during the holidays
Takes minutes to mix together
Made in just one bowl (aka your saucepan)

Ingredients Needed

How To Make Chocolate Fudge

In a medium saucepan, set over medium-low heat, combine the chocolate chips, butter, and condensed milk, and salt together.
Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
Remove the fudge from the pan, lifting out the paper, and then cut into squares and serve.

Recipe Tips

Line your pan with parchment paper. And make sure to leave some excess overhang so it’s easier to remove from the pan when it’s time to cut the fudge into squares.
Cut the fudge while it’s cold. When you remove the fudge from the fridge, immediately cut the the fudge into squares while it’s cold. It will be easier to cut when it’s cold.
Use a hot knife to cut the fudge. I run a sharp chef’s knife under hot water, then wipe clean, and then cut the fudge. The hot knife will slice cleanly through the fudge.
Use semi-sweet chocolate chips not milk. Milk chocolate chips will make the fudge too sweet I think. You could always try with half semi-sweet and half milk chocolate chips.
Cook over a medium-low heat. Do not turn the heat up too high or you may end up with burnt chocolate and your fudge may come out grainy.

Recipe Variations

If you’re looking for ways to mix up this easy chocolate fudge recipe, made with condensed milk here are some ideas:

Chocolate Walnut Fudge – Stir in 1 cup toasted, chopped walnuts.
M&M fudge – When the fudge is spread into the pan, sprinkle on 1/2 cup mini or regular M&M candies.
Peppermint Fudge – Reduce the vanilla to 1 teaspoon, add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, and top the fudge with crushed candy canes.
Oreo cookies – Crush up 24 Oreo cookies and fold into the fudge before spreading it into the pan.
Nutella: Try making my Sea Salt Nutella Fudge!

Fudge Recipe FAQ’s

How long will this homemade chocolate fudge last?

You can store the homemade chocolate fudge will last in a covered container, at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Can I freeze chocolate fudge?

Yes you can freeze chocolate fudge for up to 3 months, in a covered container. Thaw at room temperature. Or you can thaw the whole block of fudge, and then when thawed, cut into squares.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but omit the additional salt.

Can I use chopped chocolate, and not chocolate chips?

Yes you can, just roughly chop the chocolate so it melts easier.

More Recipes To Try

Sea Salt Nutella Fudge
Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
S’mores Fudge
Oreo Fudge
Marshmallow Cream Fudge

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Chocolate Fudge

This easy chocolate fudge recipe is creamy and delicous, and does not require a candy thermometer!

5 from 13 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Chilling Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 servings

Calories: 295kcal

Author: Heather Perine

Ingredients

▢ 3 cups (355 g, 18 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
▢ 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
▢ 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt
▢ 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside. I like to leave an overhang so I can easily lift the fudge out and cut it into squares.
In a medium saucepan, set over medium-low heat, combine the chocolate chips, butter and condensed milk, and salt together. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
Remove the fudge from the pan, lifting out the paper, and then cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Storage: You can store the homemade chocolate fudge will last in a covered container, at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Freezing: Yes you can freeze chocolate fudge for up to 3 months, in a covered container. Thaw at room temperature.
Butter: If you only have salted butter, omit the salt in the recipe.

Nutrition

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