This easy, foolproof 5-Minute Chocolate Fudge recipe only needs 3 ingredients—sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and your choice of chocolate chips plus optional additives. Perfect for holiday gifts, parties, or snacks.
Ingredients
Chocolate chips—semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate
Sweetened condensed milk
Vanilla extract
Chopped pecans, walnuts, or other options
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Featured Comment from Karen:
"5-stars. I love this recipe!! It is so easy and tastes delicious."
This chocolate fudge recipe has been a Christmas tradition at our house. We usually create Christmas Wreaths or small "loaves" as gifts.
Easy to make on the stovetop or as microwave fudge. No need for a candy thermometer, marshmallows, or cocoa powder. Add pecans to make chocolate pecan fudge, or add my favorite walnuts for delicious walnut fudge.
👨🍳How to Make 5-Minute Fudge
Start with a medium non-stick saucepan over low or medium-low heat.
Add two bags of chips and one 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk to a non-stick pan. Stir continuously until all is melted and mixed.
While the mix is melting, prepare a pan for the fudge. You may use a 9X9 square pan with some parchment paper. Use dots of butter to hold the parchment paper in place.
Remove from heat when the ingredients are completely melted (about 5 minutes). Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix. Add 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. Other things can be substituted or added here.
Pour an even layer of the fudge mixture into your prepared pan and smooth the top.
Allow to cool, then cut into 1-inch squares to serve.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
How to Make 5-Minute Microwave Fudge
A microwave may be used to melt the chocolate. Combine the chips and the sweetened condensed milk in an uncovered microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute—stir completely. Continue to cook and stir every 20 seconds until the mixture comes to gather smoothy—do not overcook.
Variations and options
Ingredient note: quality of the ingredients matters
Chocolate chip options
You need two 12-ounce bags of chocolate chips—usually semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips—mix them if you want. You may also use white chocolate chips (see White Chocolate Oreo Fudge.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk is what the name says. It is condensed or evaporated milk with added sugar. Use a brand you trust. Do not try to save a few calories by using a lower-fat version.
If you don't have sweetened condensed milk, you can make your own with 12 ozs of evaporated milk and ¾ cups of sugar. Bring to a light boil and mix well. Then, reduce the heat to simmer for 30 minutes.
Nuts
To me, nuts are almost required, but some people don't like nuts. Use chopped pecans or walnuts, but peanuts or pistachios are other choices.
Other additions
This is a very versatile recipe. Add dried cherries, currants, or chopped-up cookies.
For the taste of peanut butter in your fudge, mix in a cup of unmelted Reese Peanut Butter Chips after the fudge cooks for a few minutes.
For peppermint fudge, mix in some crushed peppermints or candy canes,
All the additions may be mixed in or sprinkled on top.
Other easy candy recipes to make
While this is one of our favorite candy recipes, we now make Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters just as often to drop plates full of candy at friends and neighbors. Other versions of this fudge recipe are Easy Oreo Fudge and Crock Pot Fudge, which has special crock pot adaptations.
This recipe is part of Christmas Candy Recipes. Check out other easy candy recipes.
❄️How to store fudge
Chocolate fudge should be stored in an airtight container and at a cooler room temperature for about 2 weeks.
Some people suggest storing fudge in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks, which can pull moisture out of fudge and cause a dry texture. I don't recommend refrigeration.
In preference to the fridge, I prefer the freezer. Freeze fudge in an airtight container for up to 3 months
❓FAQs
Yes, it needs constant attention; pauses of 10-15 seconds are okay, but you can not walk away.
You can also set up a double boiler, but it seems to be more fuss than it is worth for about 5 minutes of stirring.
A 9-inch square baking dish is perfect for this. You can also use an 8-inch square, 9-inch round, or similar baking dish.
I like to line the pan with parchment paper. Use two pieces and cross them with the edges overhanging the sides. A few dots of butter will help hold the parchment in place.
We also use small "loaf" pans about 1 ½ by 2 ½ inches to make gift-size loaves.
Yes. I love the taste of the butterscotch chips, and I like to use half butterscotch with half chocolate chips. I have included this as an option in the recipe.
Butterscotch chips seem not to melt as well as they did years ago. So, if you go with butterscotch chips, in the end, you will need to spend a few minutes smashing them to get the last few to combine. I suggest doing this on the stovetop.
If you use butterscotch chips, get a good brand that melts better than generic.
If you used the parchment paper, lift it out after it is cooled. But this can still stick sometimes. A light spray of PAM cooking spray on the parchment paper will help if you have this problem.
But if you didn't use parchment, add an inch of hot water to the kitchen sink and set the fudge pan in the water briefly to loosen the fudge.
🎄How to make a fudge wreath
You can make a fudge wreath by using a 9-inch round pan.
- Butter a 9-inch round pan, then place the can from the condensed milk in the center covered with plastic wrap.
- Pour the fudge mixture around the can.
- Decorate as you want. Some candied red and green cherries are nice. I put some walnuts on top and red and green sprinkles. Currants also add a great taste to fudge.
- Let cool, then remove from pan. You may need to set the pan in warm water to loosen the fudge.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
📖 Recipe
Easy 5-Minute Chocolate Fudge
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Ingredients
- 24 oz chocolate chips - semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- other options in the post
Instructions
- Start with a medium non-stick saucepan over low or medium-low heat.
- Add two bags of chips and one 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk to a non-stick pan. Stir continuously until all is melted and mixed.
- While the mix is melting, prepare a pan for the fudge. You may use a 9X9 square pan with some parchment paper. Use dots of butter to hold the parchment paper in place.
- Remove from heat when the ingredients are completely melted (about 5 minutes). Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix. Add 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. Other things can be substituted or added here.
- Pour an even layer of the fudge mixture into your prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Allow to cool, then cut into 1-inch squares to serve.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- Quality matters; use good ingredients.
- You can mix or match your chocolate chips.
- If using butterscotch chips, they don't melt as well as chocolate and will need to be smashed some at the end—help in the post.
- A nine-inch square pan lined with parchment paper or a well-buttered.
- If using parchment paper, a few dots of butter help hold it in place.
- If using a buttered dish, setting it in warm water for a few minutes will loosen the fudge for removal.
- Decorate if desired immediately after placing in pan.
- Cool before removing from the pan. You may need to set the pan in hot water to loosen the fudge.
- For fudge wreath instructions, see the text of the post.
- Store in a cooler room temperature environment for up to 2 weeks. Refrigeration can dry out the fudge. Will freeze well for up to 3 months.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
© 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.
While this easy chocolate fudge recipe seems all over the internet, we first saw it when Rachael Ray was on Oprah and Rachael Ray Throw a Holiday Party many years ago. So, we frequently call it Rachael Ray's 5 Minute Fudge, but it is also on the back of Eagle Brand Condensed Milk cans. I have expanded the discussion and options.
Originally Published December 21, 2011. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Linda says
I was looking for my old Nestle chips walnut fudge recipe. I think this is it except I used tin foil in a round cake pan, layer of walnuts in a circle, then put fudge on top and cooled. Kind of like your wreath.Heavy on the walnuts.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Linda,
Welcome to the blog. I have never seen that recipe but this one is highly adaptive to any thing you want to do.
Dan
Mary says
Will Peanut Butter chips work in this recipe? I am looking for a good peanut butter fudge recipe that does not need marsh mellow creme. Thank you!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Mary,
Welcome to the blog.
I have never done that substitution. I have seen it suggested on other sites but just in the text. But most peanut butter fudge recipes are more complicated, so I suggest looking at some of them... just google 5-minute peanut butter fudge.
Dan
Julie says
I love this recipe!! It is so easy and tastes delicious. I just made another batch and it turned out oily. What did I do wrong this time? I haven’t changed any ingredients. Did I cook it too long? Or too hot? I took a paper towel to sop up some of the oil laying on the top. It is still cooling so I don’t know how it will end up.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Julie,
Welcome to the blog.
I do enjoy this recipe every December.
About the oil... Some chocolate has more oil. They can separate if over-heated some or even sometimes if they get old. So to solve that, I would watch closely and remove it from heat as soon as it is melted enough to come together. You might also try a different brand of chocolate and make sure it is not old.
Thanks for the note and rating.
Dan
Kammy says
My mom has been making this since the 1970s. I had misplaced her recipe so checked on line and sure enough! Here it is!
We have always made 1 adjustment that is worth noting. Once chocolate is melted, add 1 to 2 Tbsp of butter and continually stir(firmly) with a whisk till incorporated; Add vanilla at the same time. finally add the nuts.
Linda says
I've made a lot of fudge in the past and thought I would try this easy one. Unfortunately it was not good. It tasted just like semi sweet chocolate chips in square form. Maybe it would have been better with the butterscotch chips
Amu S. says
you can also do this in micro at 30 sec intervals works great i use less than full power usually about 70% melt chips or almond bark with milk stir in vanilla and nuts at the end
Tom says
Hi Dr. Dan,
I followed the recipe to a T -- except I used two bags of chocolate chips and omitted the butterscotch. My fudge turned out a little dry and crumbly. Is it possible I let it it go too long on the stove?
Tom
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Tom,
Welcome to the blog.
The answer is yes, too long can change the texture. Just take it to the point of it melted enough to all mix. It is also easy to overshoot the endpoint if the burner is turned up. So "low and slow" and the endpoint of just when it will all mix together.
One other thing, some of the lower end chips will not melt well, resulting in overcooking and poor texture.
Have a good holiday.
Dan
Karen Newman says
This was my first time making fudge. THANK YOU for making it easy and super yummy!!!. Definitely a recipe I can remember without having to dig out the recipe cards. Much appreciated.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
next up is the bacon candy. Can't wait!
Kristin says
The ingredients say 2 12 ounce bags of chocolate chips then in the recipe it says 2 14 ounce bags of chocolate chips. I went with 2 12 ounce bags.
DrDan says
Hi Kristin,
Welcome to the blog.
And good proofread, I believe it has been like that for 7 years.
Now fixed. You are correct it is two 12 oz bags of chocolate chips. When using butterscotch chips, a bag is 11 oz.
Thanks for the note and Happy Holidays.
Dan
Lois says
I don’t have to let it come to aboil? I did mine, was I wrong in doing so?
DrDan says
Hi Lois,
Welcome to the blog.
Boil is too hot. You just want everything to melt so you can mix there together. I it came out ok then fine but that will tend to ruin fudge.
Dan
Susan says
This is the best fudge recipe one can make. Use the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips, you won’t be disappointed! Definitely a five star rating!
DrDan says
Hi Susan,
Welcome to the blog.
I do like the addition of the butterscotch.
Happy Holidays and thanks for the note.
Dan
Cynthia says
This fudge was so much like my daddy’s i could eat it every day. Thanks I did not have his recipe so I’ll use this.
DrDan says
Hi Cynthia,
Welcome to the blog.
This is a very nice fudge. I remember using marshmallow etc in the past. Lot's of work and touchy to make. This is as good or better.
Thanks for the note and have a great holiday.
Dan
Sarah says
That fudge wreath is the cutest! Thanks for the idea, can't wait to make this! :)
Arden Kervin says
time is time is time
Nancy says
I love fudge but am not a fan of butterscotch...Can I just leave out the 9 ounces of butterscotch and make as per recipe without them? Or should I substitute 9 ounces semisweet chocolate chips instead to balance out the recipe? Thanks for any help on this.
DrDan says
Hi Nancy,
I'm sure that would be fine to substitute but I would not just leave it out. I just published a crock pot fudge and many similar recipes just use 2 bags of semisweet with the one can of sweetened condensed milk plus vanilla. So 12 +9 or 12 +12 oz either should work fine.
Dan
MK says
This is an easy 5....,if you add a 1/2 cup of currants which is actually in the original recipe. People LOVE this and think there is alcohol in the fudge. It's the currants that provide that taste. And I use pecans rather than walnuts. So YUMMY!!