Two Kooks » All Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Easy Fudge Recipe (3 Minutes in Microwave)

Easy Fudge Recipe (3 Minutes in Microwave)

ByCheryl Avrich
Jump to Recipe

How do you make an easy fudge recipe? We’re talking chocolate fudge that’s creamy, melt-in-your mouth, no-fail with 3 ingredients, 3 steps, 3 minutes and no candy thermometer.

The answer is a microwave and sweetened condensed milk. This method is pretty much foolproof and avoids several fudge making pitfalls.

stacked squares of chocolate fudge with pecans on wooden tray.

You’d be hard pressed to find a foolproof easy chocolate fudge recipe that is this easy, uses only a few ingredients and tastes this good. This microwave fudge is luscious and soft, but firm enough to cut into squares.

And, as always, there are lots of variations to tweak it to your tastes. How about a dark chocolate fudge with roasted nuts? Or a chocolate peanut butter fudge? Or mint chocolate fudge?

What’s to love

  1. Easy recipe : 3 basic ingredients. 3 steps. 3 minutes (plus chill time). No candy thermometer or special equipment. Easy and delicious. Er…what’s not to love 🙂
  2. Avoids pitfalls: Homemade fudge can be finicky to make. Using the microwave and sweetened condensed milk method avoids 3 pitfalls: cooking it too long, the fudge not setting properly and a grainy texture.
  3. Great gift: This creamy chocolate fudge makes a lovely gift for Valentine’s Day or the Christmas season.

If you’re on a roll and want to try another super quick easy chocolate dessert recipe, check out our microwave brownie recipe in 8 minutes or chocolate rice crispy treats.

Ingredients – tailored to your taste

chocolate chips and bar, vanilla extract, sweetened condense milk.
3 simple Ingredients: chocolate bar and/or chocolate chips, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk

Chocolate

  • Use any combination of chocolate – milk, dark or semi-sweet chocolate bar or chocolate chips. Even a chocolate bar with fruit and nuts is fine.
  • Do not buy melting wafers or candy melts.
  • See tips below for best chocolate to use.

Sweetened condensed milk (for various dietary needs)

  • Buy a can of sweetened condensed milk – NOT evaporated milk – for this recipe. Evaporated milk will not work.
  • You can also buy vegan sweetened condensed milk on Amazon for a vegan version – or make it yourself. Or a fat free sweetened condensed milk.
  • If you prefer, make your own sweetened condensed milk from scratch. The recipe in the link allows you to use dairy-free milk for a dairy free option. Or a sweetener for a sugar-free option. It lasts for a week in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.

Flavor options

  • Instead of vanilla extract, try something a little different such as orange, almond or mint extract.
  • You can substitute some of the chocolate with other chocolate chip flavors like peanut butter chips, cinnamon chips, coffee chips, etc.

Add-ins e.g. 1/2 cup/80 grams

  • raisins
  • dried cranberries
  • toasted coconut
  • any type of roasted nuts
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 box junior mints (a reader comment from another recipe – interesting)
  • crushed candy cane

How to make this easy microwave fudge recipe

pan lined with parchment hanging over the sides
Spray pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper that overhangs on the sides for easy lift-out.
chocolate fudge mixture in bowl
In a separate bowl, microwave chocolate and sweetened condensed milk. Add vanilla and stir until smooth. Include extra add-ins if you like.
chocolate fudge mixture in parchment lined pan
Spoon into the lined prepared pan. I you add nuts on top like I did, press them down into the fudge before chilling).
chilled fudge lifted onto cutting board
Chill for at least an hour in the fridge. Remove from pan by lifting parchment ‘handles’. Ready to cut.
stacked squares of chocolate fudge with pecans on wooden tray.
Cut into squares and serve or freeze for later (good luck with that!)

Tips

Use the best chocolate you can find

The better the quality chocolate, the richer tasting the fudge. Ghiradelli and Lindt (Swiss) are two good ones. The Belgian Godiva is another option.

No worries though – pure chocolate chips work well too. Or you can use a combination of chocolate chips and chocolate from a bar.

Be sure to use the full amount of chocolate in the recipe or the fudge may not set as well.

Line your pan for easy cutting and clean up.

Line the pan with parchment paper, aluminum foil or wax paper. Allow extra ‘handles’ to hang over the sides of the pan. This will make it easy to lift out for cutting.

Recipe FAQs

What is sweetened condensed milk made of?

Sweetened condensed milk is made with concentrated milk, sugar and lactose. Water is removed from the milk to about 1/2 its original volume (source: science direct). It is NOT the same as evaporated milk (which is unsweetened).

What can I do if my fudge is too soft?

This recipe makes a soft creamy fudge, but if you find it’s too soft, keep it in the fridge instead of at room temperature. Someone also suggested adding 1/4 cup extra chocolate chips the next time you make it.

Make Ahead

Make the chocolate fudge recipe several days ahead if you like, storing it in an airtight container or freezer bag at room temperature for 4-5 days. No need to refrigerate. It can also be frozen for several months.

stacked squares of chocolate fudge with pecans on wooden tray

Other easy treats to make

If you’re looking for an easy recipe that will satisfy a sweet tooth, check out one fo these.

Looking for more ideas? Check out our full list of sweets and treats (30 minutes or less)

If you like this recipe, please leave a 5 star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟in the recipe card below. And if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments. Thanks very much!

stacked squares of chocolate fudge with pecans on wooden tray.
Print Recipe Pin Save Recipe

Rate this recipe here

4.96 from 21 votes

Easy Fudge Recipe (3 minutes in microwave)

How do you make an easy fudge recipe? We're talking chocolate fudge that's creamy, melt-in-your mouth, no-fail with 3 ingredients, 3 steps, 3 minutes and no candy thermometer. The answer is a microwave and sweetened condensed milk. This method avoids several fudge making pitfalls.
Prep Time3 minutes
Chill time1 hour
Total Time3 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Servings: 36 pieces (or 25 larger pieces)
Author: Cheryl Avrich

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces good quality chocolate, roughly chopped Note 1 (or 2 cups pure chocolate chips)
  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk, Note 2 about 1 1/4 cups, 397g
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup roasted nuts (67 grams), coconut, raisins, peanut butter and/or dried cranberries; Pinch of sea salt (I highly recommend the sea salt!)
US Measures – Metric

Instructions

  • PREPARE THE PAN: Spray an 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20 cm) pan with cooking spray, especially the sides. Line it with a strip of parchment paper (or foil) that covers the bottom of the pan and hangs over two opposite edges. This will allow you to easily lift out the fudge once firm.
  • MAKE THE FUDGE: Place chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in a separate large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave another 30 seconds. Stir. If chocolate is still not fully melted, microwave in 30-second increments. When you have a smooth creamy texture, stir in vanilla (and sea salt, nuts and/or raisins if using). Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Chill in fridge for at least 1 hour.
  • CUT AND SERVE: Remove fudge from pan by lifting out side flaps of parchment. Cut into squares. (hide some for yourself for later!). Store in an airtight container. Refrigeration is not necessary.

Recipe Notes

  1. Chocolate – use any combination of chocolate bar – milk, dark or semi-sweet. Lindt and Ghiradelli are high quality brands. Godiva is another option. Pure chocolate chips are fine too – dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or milk chocolate (including other flavors such as peanut chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coffee chips, cinnamon etc). 
  2. Sweetened condensed milk alternatives
    • Make sure you use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk 
    • Note that Canadian cans are slightly smaller than US cans (300 vs 390g), but fine to use in this recipe – no need to use extra.
    • Here’s a recipe to make your own sweetened condensed milk from scratch if you prefer including a dairy free or sugar-free option option. 
    • You can also buy vegan sweetened condensed milk on Amazon for a vegan version – or make it yourself. Or a fat free sweetened condensed milk. 
  3. Flavor options: A few drops of orange of different flavored extracts like almond, orange or peppermint (instead of vanilla extract).
  4. Is your fudge too soft? This recipe makes a softer, creamier fudge, but if it’s too soft for you, keep it in the fridge instead of at room temperature. Someone also suggested adding 1/4 cup/42 grams extra chocolate chips the next time you make it. 
  5. Make Ahead: Make this fudge several days ahead if you like, storing it in a sealed container or bag. No need to refrigerate. It can also be frozen for several months.
 
Nutrition Values do not include options like nuts, sea salt or cranberries. 

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?We’d love you to rate it above under ‘rate this recipe’ or in the comment section below. Thanks!

This chocolate fudge recipe is adapted from Chocolate Chocolate and More and now updated from Feb 2017.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




2 Comments