Chocolate fudge. It’s decadent, it holds endless opportunity for variations, and it’s easy! This classic fudge recipe only requires 2 main ingredients: quality chocolate and sweetened condensed milk. The flavor is rounded out with a splash of vanilla and a sprinkle of salt and you can have delicious chocolaty fudge in just minutes! Currently, I have teamed up with AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate to celebrate this easy chocolate recipe and reward someone with a $500 cash prize! Click here for all the details!
Now let’s make some fudge!
Ingredient Notes:
Chocolate – arguably the most important ingredient in fudge! I’m using American Heritage Finely grated baking Chocolate in my batch because I love the unique flavor profile with hints of cinnamon, orange, and anise, and grated chocolate melts effortlessly. You may make this recipe with a chocolate of your choice, but I would recommend something semi-sweet or dark since the recipe is plenty sweet from the sweetened condensed milk. You can buy AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate for 25% off through their sister site EthelM through December 31 with the code HERITAGE. You can also find it on Amazon!
Vanilla – vanilla simply rounds out the flavor, but it won’t make or break your fudge. No stress if you forget to add it!
Salt – this recipe definitely needs salt to balance the sweetness. I prefer table salt since it will distribute nicely, but a coarser salt like kosher will do just fine as well.
How to Make Chocolate Fudge
- Line an 8 x 8 square pan with parchment, letting the paper overhang on 2 sides to create a sling. Set aside.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk into a medium-large sized pot over low heat. Stir frequently until milk is warmed, you will notice a change in consistency as it loses thickness.
- Stir in vanilla and salt.
- Add chocolate in 3 additions, stirring until completely melted between each addition.
- Vigorously stir after final addition to make sure mixture is well combined. It should be glossy and smooth.
- Transfer mixture into prepared pan and spread out evenly. Let cool for 2-3 hours to room temperature or chill in fridge to speed up process. Slice and serve.
Variations
There are so many fun things you can do with chocolate fudge! Add in different flavor extracts, swirl in different ingredients, top with different items like coconut, cookie crumbles, nuts, etc. This makes a unique homemade gift that’s as fancy as something purchased from a candy shop!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make fudge ahead of time? Yes! Fudge can sit nicely for a while.
How do you store fudge? I like to store in an airtight container. It can sit at room temperature, but I like to keep it in the fridge to hold its shape and last longer.
Can you freeze fudge? Yes, you can also freeze fudge! Freeze cut squares between layers of parchment. Just let it sit at room temperature to thaw.
Classic Chocolate Fudge
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8x8 pan
Description
This easy chocolate fudge recipe is simple to make and can be customized in a variety of ways!
Ingredients
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon table salt
12 oz quality chocolate*
I recommend AMERICAN HERITAGE® Finely grated baking Chocolate for a unique, gourmet flavor. If using standard chocolate chips, you can use any favorite but I recommend something semi-sweet or dark since there is plenty of sweetness in the recipe already.
Instructions
Stove Top Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8 square pan with parchment, letting the paper overhang on 2 sides to create a sling. Set aside.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk into a medium-large sized pot over low heat. Stir frequently until milk is warmed, you will notice a change in consistency as it loses thickness.
- Stir in vanilla and salt.
- Add chocolate in 3 additions, stirring until completely melted between each addition.
- Vigorously stir after final addition to make sure mixture is well combined. It should be glossy and smooth.
- Transfer mixture into prepared pan and spread out evenly. Let cool for 2-3 hours to room temperature or chill in fridge to speed up process.
- To serve, use parchment sling to remove fudge from pan and place on a cutting board. Slice into squares. Tip: Run a large, sharp knife under hot water, dry quickly, and cut fudge for easy and clean cutting. Repeat between multiple cuts.
Microwave Instructions: This process can also be done in the microwave. Heat sweetened condensed milk for 30 seconds and then stir in salt and vanilla. Add chocolate, stir, and then heat at 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each one) until melted and smooth.
Flavor Variations: Substitute a flavor extract of your choice in place of vanilla, such as peppermint, anise, or orange. Add fun extras to the top of your fudge by adding immediately after transferring fudge to pan, and use clean hands to gently press into the top of the fudge if needed. Some ideas include graham crackers and mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies and crumbled chocolate cookies, or melted caramel and sea salt. You may also stir additions into fudge before transferring to pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stove Top
Questions & Reviews
If I don’t have Heritage chocolate, if I get a baking bar what percent of cacao? I can get Ghirardelli
Because there is so much sweetness from the sweetened condensed milk, I prefer a dark or semi-sweet chocolate in this recipe! Even bittersweet is great if you want a dark fudge.