Top 10 Fudge Recipes (that can made in 10 minutes or less!) (2024)

Creamy, rich homemade fudge is my favorite holiday treat to give as gifts or serve to guests. Unlike traditional fudge recipes that boil on the stove and must be stirred constantly, each of these fudge recipes can be made in 10 minutes or less!

This will be my last recipe post for 2021. I’m ready to curl up on the couch, read through my stack of books, watch our favorite movies, laugh and play all the silly games, and bake my heart out just for fun. Merry Christmas, friends!

Top 10 Fudge Recipes (that can made in 10 minutes or less!) (1)

While the holidays tend to be thought of as fudge season, what time of year isn’t a good time for fudge? Fudge is one of those treats that’s just as appropriate to eat on a seaside boardwalk in the summertime as it is next to the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.

With peak sweet treat, party and gift-giving season approaching, I thought I’d assemble a list of my Top 10 Easy Fudge Recipes to make your life easier.

Not only are each and every one of these recipes sure-fire hits, as the comments and ratings on the recipes prove, but they all also come together within that ten-minute time frame. I mean it! No fuss, no hassle, just delicious fudge.

If you’ve avoided making your own fudge because you assumed you’d need tons of time and a professional candy thermometer to get it right, these are the recipes for you! The taste and texture are everything we love about old-fashioned fudge in a simple fool-proof recipe.

If you’re in need of a last-minute gift or dessert for a holiday party, look no further. With just a few minutes spent in the kitchen, you’ll have enough sweet treats to share with all your friends and you won’t have to do any more shopping!

Popular Fudge Recipes

This 5 Minute 5 Ingredient Fudge Recipe is the starting point for countless holiday treats. Everyone loves this fudge and you can add in whichever fun ingredients you like best. From pecans to peppermint to bits of dried fruit, you can’t go wrong with this recipe.

White Chocolate Caramel Fudge is one of the most popular fudge recipes I have ever made. No one can resist the swirls of caramel in a rich and creamy white chocolate. It’s decadence at its best, perfectly paired with a cup of coffee or tea on a winter night.

Rocky Road Fudge is everything you love about the classic ice cream, in a handheld candy. Crunchy nuts and soft fluffy marshmallows in every bite make it a delight for kids and adults alike.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Chocolate and peanut butter fudge is an enduring favorite. The combination of sweet, salty and creamy in this kind of fudge makes it hard to refuse when you see it on a dessert tray.

This Buckeye Fudge is inspired by the popular peanut butter and chocolate candy of the same name. Now that I live in the Buckeye State, I know I’ll be making this fudge to share with my new Ohio friends.

Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge is made with marshmallows. The peanut butter, chocolate chips and marshmallows are all melted together then chilled to make one of the quickest, tastiest and easiest fudge recipes imaginable. There’s nothing better.

If you like chocolate and peanut butter, you’ll love these homemade Chocolate Crunch Bars, too. A cross between a cookie and a candy bar, these no-bake desserts have been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. (While technically not a fudge recipe, these treats are so easy to make and so good that I just had to remind you to make them!)

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Vanilla Fudge Recipes

Vanilla fudge recipes make a nice change in the sea of milk chocolate and dark chocolate options. A pretty party tray checkered with squares of both chocolate and vanilla fudge looks so appealing on a dessert buffet, too.

When it comes to vanilla recipes, this Vanilla Pecan Fudge is out of this world. It calls for fragrant vanilla, white chocolate and pecans to create a five-minute fudge recipe perfect for a snowy day.

Cranberry Macadamia Nut Fudge is another vanilla fudge recipe ideal for the holiday season. Tart cranberries add fantastic contrast to the rich sweetness of the fudge. I’m imagining nibbling this fudge while we cozy up next to the fireplace this Christmastime.

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Fudge Recipes

Our Oreo Fudge was inspired by the Fudge Covered Oreos that became popular a few years ago. As it turns out fudge made with Oreos is even better than Oreos made with fudge!

I also called on Chocolate Covered Pretzel Fudge to inspire the Oreo Fudge recipe. Salty and sweet combinations are irresistible to most people and the crispiness of the pretzels in each piece of fudge made this recipe a winner.

Peppermint Marshmallow Fudge is chocolate + candy canes + plenty of chewy marshmallows. It’s a fudge that couldn’t be more full of holiday cheer if it tried. Marshmallow Fudge is a fun combination of candy and classic fudge and the addition of peppermint makes it extra festive. (No marshmallows on hand, just make it Peppermint Fudge, so good!)

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If you like that combo of peppermint, marshmallow and chocolate, give my Chocolate Covered Candy Cane Marshmallows a try as well. Made with either store-bought or homemade marshmallows, these treats make delightful gifts on their own or tucked inside a box alongside any one of these fudge recipes.

Dark Chocolate Almond Fudge is a melt in your mouth, smooth and creamy fudge; rich with dark chocolate and almonds. The recipe includes almond extract which adds a wonderful dimension to the chocolate. Have you ever tried substituting almond extract for the vanilla in your favorite chocolate recipe? It’s an easy way to add a nutty cherry-like flavor to a dessert!

Whether you whip up a batch of peanut butter fudge to give as a gift or just to eat yourself with the ones you love, it’s well worth the 5 or 10 minutes of time it takes to make.

With a glass of milk, or a cup of hot coffee, cocoa, or tea, these easy fudge recipes are sure to make every day of your holiday season sweet!

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PLEASE NOTE: This recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk, not heavy cream, not half and half, nothing else will work. Trust me on this.

The sweetened condensed milk contains sugar which is vital to the taste, texture, and consistency of this recipe.

Even if you’ve had success subbing with something else in other recipes, I promise that you NEED to use sweetened condensed milk for this fudge recipe!

Can I Make Fudge On The Stove?

Yes, you can make this fudge on the stove. Keep the heat low and use a double boiler method. The microwave melting method makes this recipe ultra-quick and easy. However, if you don’t happen to be a fan of the microwave (or don’t have one), you can easily melt the chocolate, milk, and butter in a double boiler on the stovetop. It will just take a few minutes longer.

Can I Freeze Fudge?

Yes, you can freeze fudge. Wrap it tightly in parchment (cut or uncut) and then slide it into a zip-close freezer bag. Press the air out of the bag and freeze flat.

Can I Add Nuts To Fudge?

Yes, nuts can be added to almost any fudge recipe. No other adjustments will need to be made.

Can I Substitute The Sweetened Condensed Milk?

No, you can not make this without regular sweetened condensed milk. Nothing else will work. The sweetened condensed milk contains sugar which is vital to the taste, texture, and consistency of this recipe.

Kitchen Tip: I use thisbowl, thisspatula, and thispanto make these recipes.

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Top 10 Fudge Recipes (that can made in 10 minutes or less!) (7)

Easy Chocolate Fudge

4.44 from 16 votes

Creamy chocolate fudge that you can make in just a few minutes is about to be your new holiday favorite!

PinPrintReview

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 4 hours hrs

Total Time: 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings: 36 1-inch pieces

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dark chocolate chips
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional:

  • 1 cup chopped pecans plus about 2 tablespoons for topping

Instructions

  • Combine the chocolate, the milk, and the butter in a medium size glass bowl and heat in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir to combine and heat another 15 seconds if needed.

  • Add the extract and stir until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of pecans, if desired. Scoop into a parchment-lined loaf pan (approximately 5×8 inches). Spread with a spatula to approximately 1-inch thickness. Top with remaining chopped pecans, if desired.

  • Chill until ready to serve. Slice into 1-inch squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy!

Notes

If you aren’t a fan of the microwave, you can easily melt the chocolate, milk and butter in a double boiler on the stove top.

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcal · Carbohydrates: 12g · Protein: 1g · Fat: 7g · Saturated Fat: 4g · Cholesterol: 7mg · Sodium: 35mg · Potassium: 116mg · Sugar: 9g · Vitamin A: 70IU · Vitamin C: 0.3mg · Calcium: 64mg · Iron: 0.2mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!

{originally published 9/18/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 12/20/21}

Top 10 Fudge Recipes (that can made in 10 minutes or less!) (8)
Top 10 Fudge Recipes (that can made in 10 minutes or less!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular fudge? ›

After years of testing recipes, we're pretty sure we have a handle on the most popular fudge flavors, but chocolate and cherry will always rank high on the list. Chopped almonds also pair well with these flavors so be sure to include them if you have spare nuts on hand.

Who makes the world's best fudge? ›

Mackinac Island Fudge – The Best Fudge on Earth
  • Original Murdick's Fudge.
  • Joann's Fudge.
  • Ryba's Fudge Shops.

How do you make fudge set faster? ›

We Recommend. Using a mini muffin tin or silicone candy mold can also help your fudge firm up faster. Thanks to their smaller surface area, they'll help fudge harden much more quickly than if you pour it all into one larger container.

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.

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.

What makes Mackinac Island fudge different? ›

To obtain the world famous taste, the fudge is slowly cooked in traditional copper kettles over a gas flame. Once the desired temperature is reached, the mixture is poured onto marble slabs for a cooling period and then hand-paddled into loaves.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

Why is fudge unhealthy? ›

But clocking in at around 130 calories and 5 grams of fat per ounce, this rich treat is far from a healthy choice. Although that may not sound like an unreasonable amount of calories or fat, it's important to remember that an ounce is a very small serving. Fudge also boasts very little in terms of health.

Where is the best fudge made in United States? ›

A Mackinac tradition for more than 60 years, today Ryba's has two locations on both Mackinac Island and in Chicago. Its fudge is made by hand on big marble slabs, with flavors including Oreo, chocolate pecan, chocolate macadamia, German chocolate, and maple pecan.

What city is known for fudge? ›

Whether you visit Mackinac Island on National Fudge Day in June or any other day – maybe during the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August – come find your favorite flavor and experience the fudge capital of the world!

What is in Mackinac Island fudge? ›

Ingredients. Milk, cream, sugar, corn syrup, skim milk, high fructose corn syrup, whey, water, chocolate liquor, hydrogenated coconut oil, peanut oil, alkalized cocoa, mono and diglycerides, buttermilk, butter, natural flavors, soy lecithin, pectin, salt, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, annatto (color), vanilla.

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

You should mix the cream, butter, and sugar when making your fudge, but put down the spoon once it has reached its boiling point. Stirring while your sugar mixture is boiling will only form sugar crystals and make your fudge crunchy rather than silky smooth.

Why won't my fudge get hard? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. 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.

What can you do with failed fudge? ›

OPTION 1) Depending on how runny it is, you can either use it as a frosting for cakes, or a sauce for ice-cream. OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

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!

References

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