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

How do you make Paula Deen's 5 minute fudge? ›

directions
  1. Combine sugar, milk, butter and salt in a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  2. Add in chocolate chips; cook until melted.
  3. Remove from heat; stir in marshmallows, vanilla and nuts. Mix well.
  4. Pour into a 8-inch pan. Cool cut into squares.

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 worlds best fudge? ›

For over a century a distinguished line of candy makers on Mackinac Island have worked their magic on marble slabs and created a treat so sweet and creamy that it embodies the essence of bliss. An enthusiastic fan recently posted on our facebook page: “the fudge from Mackinac Island is the Best Fudge on Earth“.

How do you make fudge set faster? ›

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.

What is the ball method fudge? ›

According to most recipes, the ingredients of fudge are cooked to what is termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

What is the softball method fudge? ›

Those who have dealt with sugar cookery and candy making in the past will recognize 235°F (113°C) as the bottom of the “softball” stage. This means that a drop of syrup at this temperature when dropped into a glass of cold water will form a ball that can be smashed between the fingers.

Should you stir fudge constantly? ›

Stir Constantly: Stir the fudge mixture continuously, especially during the melting process, to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. Use Sweetened Condensed Milk: Sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness and creaminess to fudge, creating a smooth texture.

Why shouldn t you stir fudge after it reaches the correct temperature? ›

Beating fudge when it's still over heat creates sugar crystals, aka the grittiness you feel in the fudge. Instead, wait to pick up the spoon (our Test Kitchen loves using wooden spoons) until the fudge drops to between 110 and 113°F, about 15 minutes.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

While you ultimately want crystals to form, it's important that they don't form too early. The key to successful, nongrainy fudge is in the cooling, not the cooking. The recipe calls for heating the ingredients to the soft-ball stage, or 234° F, then allowing it to cool undisturbed to approximately 110° F.

Why is Mackinac Island Fudge so good? ›

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 is the most popular flavor of 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.

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).

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.

Why did my fudge come out like taffy? ›

If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

What kind of pan is best for fudge? ›

Secondly, the pot's material should allow for good heat distribution hence your top choice should be copper cookware or a pot with a copper core. Copper's exceptional heat conductivity offers unparalleled temperature control, an asset when working with finicky ingredients like sugar.

Why is my fudge not setting condensed milk? ›

It sounds like your fudge simply wasn't heated enough. Fudge is basically a superconcentrated syrup, and it sets when sugar dissolved in the water (from the butter and milk) comes out of solution as the mixture cools and forms crystals.

How do you make fudge consistency? ›

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 fudge softer? ›

If there is too much evaporation, when the cooking time is too long, there will not be enough water left in the fudge and it will be too hard. Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft.

How do you fix quick fudge that is too soft? ›

How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream.

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