15 Easy Fudge Recipes for All Occasions (2024)

This list of easy fudge recipes has something for every occasion! From 2-ingredient fudge recipes to Christmas fudge, so many fun ideas!

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Thinking about trying a batch of homemade fudge this season? You’ve come to the right place!

We’ve got lots of easy fudge recipes to try, plus some of the most frequently asked questions about making fudge…answered!

You’ll find a dozen recipes including:

  • Christmas Fudge
  • Nutella Fudge
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
  • Keto Fudge
  • And more!

Be sure to bookmark this page because I’ll keep adding new recipes as I make them!

Homemade Fudge FAQ

What Is Real Fudge Made Of?

Old-fashioned fudge is a confection that is traditionally made by cooking sugar, butter, and milk or cream until it reaches the “soft-ball stage” (or at least 234°F). Then you stir the fudge until smooth and creamy, mix-ins such as nuts are added, you pour into a prepared pan to chill and set, then cut into squares.

If that sounds a little tricky, don’t worry! All of the fudge recipes here are made the “new” way, which is a lot easier and almost impossible to mess up! No need to bake, no candy thermometer needed…we’re keeping it EASY!

All of our fudge recipes are also made with a short ingredient list — some recipes require as little as 2 ingredients (like the cookie butter fudge).

What Do I Need To Make Fudge?

For our fudge recipes you may want to have the following tools on hand:

  • Double-boiler, saucepan, or large microwave safe bowl to melt the chocolate
  • Whisk
  • Square pan or baking dish to chill and set the fudge
  • Parchment paper, to pull the fudge out of the pan easily

That’s about it! Told you we’re keeping it easy!

Can Homemade Fudge Be Frozen?

Yes, you can freeze homemade fudge for long-term storage. It can last up to 3 months (or more) in the freezer!

To freeze your homemade fudge, cut the fudge into squares and individual wrap in plastic wrap. Place these individually-wrapped servings into a large freezer bag and be sure to seal it well.

When you’re ready to enjoy a piece of fudge, simply take one out of the bag and place it on the countertop for an hour or two to thaw to room temperature.

How Long Can Homemade Fudge Last In The Fridge?

This is actually a bit of a trick question, because fudge does not require refrigeration at all! In fact, homemade fudge is best stored at room temperature and will stay good for up to 2 weeks.

However, if you kitchen is warm or you prefer your fudge to be a more solid consistency, you can refrigerate. Place the fudge in an airtight container toprotect it from the environment inside the refrigerator. I also recommend placing a sheet of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.

The Best Easy Fudge Recipes

For each recipe on this list, I’ve included a photo so you can see what it looks like, as well as a short description. To view the full recipe and instructions in a new window, simply press the recipe title with your cursor.

Classic Fudge Recipes

These are my go-to easy fudge recipes! Made with classic ingredients, they’re foolproof and always a hit at parties!

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

If you love peanut butter cups then you’ve got to try this peanut butter fudge recipe! This easy fudge is inspired by the candy bar classic, with layers of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter fudge. Topped with mini peanut butter cups and a fudge drizzle.

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Nutella Fudge

Two words: Nutella. Fudge. Need I say more? This easy microwave fudge recipe is full of chocolate flavor, with a hint of hazelnut. It’s especially creamy! This is my favorite easy chocolate fudge recipe because all you need is semisweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and Nutella hazelnut spread.

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German Chocolate Fudge

A silky smooth layer of chocolate fudge with a butter pecan topping, just like a German Chocolate Cake! If you love the cake, you’ll love this fabulous fudge recipe that’s sure to be a show-stopper!

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Cookie Butter Fudge

All you need is 2 ingredients to make this mouthwatering cookie butter fudge! It’s a sweet, creamy, and lightly spiced treat that the whole family will love.

Holiday Fudge Recipes

Christmas cookies are great, but homemade fudge is especially festive! We’ve got fudge recipes for different occasions and will keep adding more so check back!

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Christmas Fudge

This is actually a simple white chocolate fudge recipe that we made in two batches: a red colored fudge and a green colored fudge. Then we “stacked” the layers to created festive layered look.

The end result is a delicious treat that’s unique and eye-catching and perhaps my favorite homemade fudge recipe for the holidays! Fudge makes a great gift idea!

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Candy Cane Fudge

Just 3 ingredients! All you need are white chocolate chips, sweet condensed milk, and peppermints. This white chocolate peppermint fudge is a super easy holiday treat that’s topped with crushed candy canes for a gorgeous look and little bit of crunch.

Valentine Fudge

This Valentine’s Day Fudge is smooth andcreamy, layered in red and pink stripes and topped with sprinkles. You only need 5 ingredients to make a batch!

Easter Fudge

This is an easy fudge recipe that uses chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk as its base, like many of our simple fudge recipes. Then we mixed in our favorite Easter candy to make a sweet treat that’s tasty and so pretty!

– This festive fudge recipe is perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any summer holiday! Just 5 ingredients and super easy to make with a microwave!

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Poison Apple Halloween Fudge

This spooky Halloween fudge recipe is inspired by the poison apple the evil witch gave Snow White. It’s a bright combination of black and neon green that tastes just like a sour apple.

Unique Fudge Recipes

Low carb, fun flavor combos…we’ve got lots of different fudge recipes you won’t find anywhere else! Try something new!

Caramel Apple Fudge

This caramel apple fudge has all the sweet and sour flavors of a real caramel apple, but in an easy-to-eat candy treat! Sour apple notes are swirled with creamy caramel to create a melt-in-your-mouth fudge recipe that is perfect for the fall season!

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Keto Fudge

This low carb chocolate fudge is rich and creamy and tastes like a total splurge…yet there’s less than 3g net carbs per piece! And you only need 3 ingredients to make a batch!

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Mickey Mouse Fudge

A colorful layered fudge with M&M “mouse ears” on top. Perfect for a Disney themed party or birthday!

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Pineapple Upside Down Cake Fudge

This easy fudge recipe is just five ingredients and tastes just like a real cake, except it melts in your mouth! Each bite is filled with the sweet taste of the maraschino cherries and candied pineapple, and the classic yellow cake makes it feel like a real upside-down cake.

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Cherry Garcia Fudge

This chocolate cherry fudge recipe is inspired by one of the most popular Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors. This is a rich white chocolate studded with cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips. It’s easy and delicious!

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Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.

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15 Easy Fudge Recipes for All Occasions (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

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.

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Use Evaporated Milk- Make sure to use evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk. If you accidentally use sweetened condensed milk your fudge will be incredibly over the top sweet. Cut up the Butter– Before adding the butter in make sure to cut it into smaller pieces for faster melting.

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.

Do you stir fudge when it's 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 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).

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 state is known for fudge? ›

Think of Michigan's favorite island when you taste the delicate flavor of chocolate fudge.

What country invented fudge? ›

Fudge's story began in the United States around the 1880s. The first documented instance of fudge being made was at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York when a student named Emelyn Battersby Hartridge heard of a fudge recipe and made 30 pounds of it for a senior auction.

Can I use half-and-half instead of evaporated milk in fudge? ›

Half-and-half has less protein and more fat than evaporated milk, but you can substitute the same amount of half-and-half for evaporated milk in a recipe. You won't get the same note of caramelized flavor that you would from evaporated milk, but the creamy consistency makes this an excellent substitute.

Is milk chocolate or semi sweet chocolate better for fudge? ›

Chocolate: you may use semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate. If you want milk chocolate fudge, I suggest using a combination of milk and semi-sweet, so that it's not overly sweet. But this is up to you! You could also use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but I suggest sticking to high-quality chocolate if possible.

Why won't my condensed milk fudge set? ›

The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

Fudge usually behaves this way when it's not cooked to a high enough temperature (due to oversight or a faulty candy thermometer).

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.

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.

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!

How can I firm up my fudge? ›

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 would cause fudge not to harden? ›

Homemade Fudge Doesn't Always Set

If your fudge doesn't firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn't reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.

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