The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
You only need 5 ingredients to make this super Easy Chocolate Fudge recipe. This classic holiday candy is always a favorite!
Chocolate Fudge is a fabulous treat to make for gifting during the holidays. Our recipe makes 32 pieces and costs about $9.86 to make or just $0.31 per piece.
We also love this Rocky Road Fudge and these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bon Bons for gifting!
Easy Chocolate Fudge
This fudge recipe is one of our favorites because it only needs FIVE ingredients to make it and takes only TEN minutes to make it. Plus, there is no need for a candy thermometer with this recipe!
Every year we love making trays of Christmas cookies and treats. We start our morning off by making this easy fudge recipe, and while it’s chilling, we make the other confections.
Our fudge recipe is creamy, full of rich chocolate flavor that melts in your mouth with a little crunch to it. It will remind you of your favorite old-fashioned fudge without spending big bucks on getting it.
While fudge is a staple during the holidays, we love to make it year-round as an easy, no-bake treat that the kids can help us make.
What are the ingredients for fudge?
Our recipe calls for just five ingredients. We use chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, salt, and walnuts.
Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk for easy chocolate fudge?
Unfortunately, you cannot use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk in fudge. You can substitute evaporated milk for regular milk in many instances, but it will not give the same rich, creamy taste that you get from the sweetened condensed milk.
Can you melt fudge?
Fudge will not melt in the same way that a candy bar will melt. This is because fudge is cooked candy. Cooked candies do not actually melt until they reach about 125 degrees. So it may melt if you live in Arizona, like Beth and Jess! Ha Ha! However, it can soften if it is left in the sun or a warm place.
How much will this Easy Fudge recipe cost to make:
RECIPE COST: $9.86
PRICE PER PIECE: $0.31
- 4 cups chocolate chips – $3.99
- 2 cans sweetened condensed milk – $3.96
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – $0.34
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 1 cup walnuts – $1.56
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
How to make this Easy Chocolate Fudge recipe:
STEPS ONE, TWO, AND THREE: First, prep the pan. Then melt the chocolate chips in a large saucepan. Next, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the salt and vanilla.
STEPS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX: Stir in chopped walnuts. Spread the fudge evenly into the prepared pan and chill until set. Finally, remove the fudge from the pan, cut into squares, and serve.
Cook’s Tools:
- 8-inch pan
- large saucepan
- measuring cups
- wooden spoon
- measuring spoons
The Easy Chocolate Fudge Flavor and Recipe Variations:
Feel free to use any extracts that you’d like. Some of our favorites are orange, almond, and peppermint.
Instead of walnuts, you can use pecans, peanuts, cashews, or pistachios.
This recipe makes a thicker fudge; you can cut the recipe in half if you would like.
How long is it good for:
Store: We like to store the finished easy chocolate fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. You can store the fudge in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but we find that it gets a little dried out in the refrigerator.
Freeze: Place fudge in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
How to get the kids involved with this recipe:
Ages 2-3: Have your little one measure out the chocolate chips. This is a great time to practice counting!
Ages 4-5: Let your child mix in the vanilla, salt, and nuts after melting the chocolate.
Ages 6-8: Your child can assist in measuring out the ingredients for the recipe. They can also help stir the chocolate while it is melting.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
More Desserts:
- Brownie Cookies
- Cake Mix Banana Bread
- Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies
- Chick-Fil-A Copycat Frosted Lemonade
- Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Death by Chocolate Poke Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bon Bons
- Oreo Ice Cream Cake
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Chocolate Wacky Cake
- Mini Apple Pies
- Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Snickers Salad
- Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Easy Chocolate Fudge
Equipment
- 8-inch pan
- large saucepan
- measuring cups
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 4 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet or bittersweet
- 28 ounces sweetened condensed milk (2, 14-ounce cans)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
PREP PAN:
- Line an 8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides.
MAKE FUDGE:
- Add chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk to a large, heavy saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until the chips are almost completely melted.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir until the chocolate mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in salt, vanilla, and chopped nuts.
SPREAD AND CHILL:
- Spread the fudge in an even layer into the prepared pan.
- Chill for 2-3 hours or until set.
FINISH:
- Lift the fudge from the pan using the parchment paper overhang.
- Cut the fudge into 32 squares.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- This recipe makes a thicker fudge; you can cut the recipe in half if you would like.
Toni Dash says
My kids couldn’t stop eating these!! Such a delicious treat!
Jess Jankowski says
So happy to hear that! Thanks for letting us know.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Love all the flavors here, I already know I’m going to enjoy this recipe a lot!
Jess Jankowski says
Enjoy!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
My family is going to love this, thank you for the recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
Thanks for stopping by Shadi. Enjoy!
Angela says
I had no idea that fudge was so quick and easy to make! My family loved it!
Jess Jankowski says
It is such a quick and easy way to get your chocolate fix!
Tawnie says
I had all of the ingredients already on hand so we made these yesterday and can’t get over how easy and delicious this fudge is! A keeper recipe. Thank you!
Jess Jankowski says
Woo hoo! So glad you tried it!
Natalie says
This is such a perfect sweet treat for my boys. I love added walnuts inside. I will definitely make this soon. My boys will be so happy. Thanks for the recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
I love the walnuts too! Thanks for stopping by!
Sylvia Taliaferro says
Best fudge recipe ever! Have saved this recipe and will be making it often.
Jess Jankowski says
Sylvia, so happy you love it! Thanks for letting us know!
Rebecca says
I make fudge every year for Thanksgiving and or Christmas. This is my favorite and easy go to fudge recipe. I always double it in case our adult kids ask for it.
Thank you,
Rebecca
Deloras Johnson says
I have made this fudge for years but I have never put any salt in it. Wow! it made all the difference in the world. It is delicious.
Jess Jankowski says
We LOVE this Deloras. Thanks so much for letting us know!