Made in the microwave with just 4 ingredients, this easy fudge recipe turns out rich and creamy every time.

Whether given as a gift at the holidays, added to a Christmas cookie tray alongside Snowball Cookies and Sugar Cookies, or served up as a decadent treat among friends, everyone loves the flavor in this easy homemade fudge.

Fudge cut into cubes on white plate with nuts and chocolate chips in background.

The Easiest Fudge Recipe

When it comes to fudge, it should be rich, sweet, and decadent. While this recipe for fudge is all those things, it is also easy to make.

Unlike old-fashioned boiled fudge, this fudge recipe is made in the microwave with only minutes of hands-on prep. Just like my recipe for Saltine Cracker Toffee and Peppermint Bark, this homemade candy recipe doesn't require a candy thermometer or a lot of time.

Instead, you only need four simple ingredients and a few minutes of time to make this rich fudge that melts in your mouth! It is a perfect dessert to share with those you love.

Ingredients for easy homemade fudge labeled on counter.

Notes on Ingredients

Sweetened Condensed Milk: Be sure to use sweetened condensed milk, not condensed milk. Sweetened Condensed Milk is rich, thick, and filled with notes of caramel. It makes the perfect base for this easy fudge recipe. Also, use full-fat, not fat-free sweetened condensed milk for the creamiest texture.
Chocolate Chips: This recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips as written. I find that semi-sweet chocolate compliments the sweetened condensed milk and produces the richest chocolate fudge. Milk chocolate can make for an overly sweet fudge and dark chocolate can be a bit bitter and overpowering.
Butter: Adding a touch of unsalted butter to the fudge helps to produce the glossiest, smoothest fudge and helps to balance out the sweetness a tad bit.

How to Make Homemade Fudge

Prepare a baking dish by lining it with parchment paper, that hangs over the edges of the pan. This will make it easy to remove your fudge from the pan once it sets up.
Combine the sweetened condensed milk, butter, and chocolate chips in a large heat-safe bowl.
Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, You will begin to see the chocolate slowly melt into the sweetened condensed milk. Continue to microwave until the chocolate chips have fully melted.
Once the chocolate has melted, stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, spreading the chocolate mixture into an even layer.

Collage of four pictures showing steps to making homemade fudge.

At this point, you want to cover the fudge and transfer it to the refrigerator to set. It will take at least 2 hours for your fudge to harden enough to cut into squares. However, I find it is best to chill overnight. This will allow the flavor to really develop and make the fudge super easy to slice.
Once chilled, remove from the refrigerator and lift the parchment paper out of the pan.

Fudge on parchment paper before cutting into slices.

Slice into bite-sized pieces (remember it is a rich dessert!)

Flavor Variations

Add Nuts: A lot of people love the added crunch and flavor that chopped nuts lend to a rich, chocolate fudge. To add nuts to this homemade fudge, stir ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the chocolate mixture when you stir in the vanilla extract.
White Chocolate Fudge: Replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips. Just be sure to use quality white chocolate with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients for the best flavor. White chocolate fudge is delicious with ⅓ cup each of chopped pistachios and dried cranberries folded into the fudge mixture as well.
Marbled Fudge: To make a beautiful marble fudge, make half the recipe using white chocolate chips and the other half with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Layer the semi-sweet chocolate layer first in the pan and then spoon the white chocolate fudge over the semi-sweet layer. Use a butter knife to swirl the two flavors together. This will create a stunning and delicious marbled finish.
Add Marshmallows: Gently fold in 1 cup of mini marshmallows to your chocolate mixture before transferring the prepared pan. Be careful not to overmix, as your marshmallows may begin to melt.

Storage

It is best to store homemade fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If your house is on the cooler side, you can store the fudge at room temperature for up to 5 days.

I do not recommend freezing fudge, as it can crystalize and become a bit grainy once defrosted.

More Homemade Candy Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe for homemade fudge, I would love for you to leave a review and comment below.

Easy Homemade Fudge

Made in the microwave with just 4 ingredients, this easy fudge recipe turns out rich and creamy every time.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 2

Chilling: 2

Total Time: 2 7

Servings:

Calories: 64kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

▢ 1 (14oz can) sweetened condensed milk
▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
▢ 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, butter, and chocolate chips.
Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is fully melted. Once the chocolate is melted, stir in the vanilla.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out with an offset spatula or knife.
Cover the pan with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate until the fudge is set, 2-3 hours. I find overnight is best, in terms of flavor and firmness of the fudge.
Once set, remove the fudge, using the parchment paper from the pan cut it into 1-inch pieces.
Store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Equipment Needed

Notes

Sweetened Condensed Milk: Be sure to use full-fat sweetened condensed milk, not low-fat or fat-free sweetened condensed milk for the best texture.

Variations:

Add Nuts: Stir ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the chocolate mixture when you stir in the vanilla extract.
White Chocolate Fudge: Replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips. Just be sure to use quality white chocolate with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients for the best flavor. White chocolate fudge is delicious with ⅓ cup each of chopped pistachios and dried cranberries folded into the fudge mixture as well.
Marbled Fudge: Make half the recipe using white chocolate chips and the other half with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Layer the semi-sweet chocolate layer first in the pan and then spoon the white chocolate fudge over the semi-sweet layer. Use a butter knife to swirl the two flavors together.
Add Marshmallows: Gently fold in 1 cup of mini marshmallows to your chocolate mixture before transferring the prepared pan.

Nutrition

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