Old Fashioned Chocolate Fudge
Old fashioned chocolate fudge is decadent, rich and creamy. You only need 3 easy ingredients to make a batch. It’s easy to customize and is the perfect addition to holiday parties or as a gift for family and friends.
Save This Recipe!
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, you get more tasty recipes every week!
This easy condensed milk chocolate fudge recipe is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. It has a creamy, smooth texture and a rich, chocolatey taste that is so delicious.
There are so many no-bake chocolate desserts such as no-bake chocolate peanut butter lasagna and chocolate covered blueberries. But, fudge is definitely a classic dessert everyone knows.
One of the best parts about this recipe is how easy it is to put together. It is made with three simple ingredients simply melted together, poured into a pan and allowed to cool. Waiting for it to cool is the hardest part of this recipe for sure!
What Makes Old Fashioned Chocolate Fudge So Great?
- Classic Flavor. This homemade chocolate fudge has a rich chocolate flavor combined with a smooth and creamy texture.
- Endless Customizations. You can really make this match your flavor preferences by using different add-ins like nuts, fruits or candies. For example, chocolate walnut fudge is a great flavor customization.
- Easy Recipe. With only 3 ingredients, this recipe is fast and easy to make. Just melt everything, pour them into a pan and allow it to cool.
Ingredients
- Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips – you can use dark chocolate in this recipe as well or a baker’s chocolate bar. It doesn’t need to be chips only.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Make sure not to use evaporated milk or regular milk, they are not the same.
- Vanilla Extract
- Walnuts (optional) – really any nuts you like will work!
Variations
- Add nuts – you can add in ¾ cup of you favorite chopped nuts. Walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, or pistachios are some favorites.
- Top it off – add a layer of flavor to the top of the fudge before it cools. Crushed peppermint candies, toffee bits of even shredded coconut works well.
- Make it rocky road – add in 1 cup Marshmallows and ½ cup peanuts to make it a rocky road-inspired recipe.
- Fruit flavor – toss in ¾ cup of chopped, candied fruits such as cherries, apricots or cranberries.
- A splash of alcohol – pour in 1 tablespoon of Rum, Bourbon, or Frangelico when you add the vanilla extract.
Instructions
Use these simple step-by-step instructions to make your own perfect batch of the best chocolate fudge.
- Start first by lining a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Fill the saucepan with 2 – 3 inches of water and place your heat-resistant bowl in the saucepan just above the water. Bring the water to a simmer and then add the chocolate chips. Stir frequently until melted being super careful not to bet any water into the chocolate. If you do even, even a tiny bit, the chocolate will seize.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk to the heat-resistant bowl along with the vanilla and mix until combined. Mix until the chocolate mixture is melted and smooth. (If adding chopped nuts, now is the time to do so.)
- Remove from the heat and pour into the baking dish lined with parchment paper. Use a spatula to push the fudge into the corners and smooth out the top so that is even. If you want a smoother finish on the top you can use the back of a measuring cup or the bottom of a glass to gently tap on top to flatten the fudge to a smooth finish.
- When done, cover the homemade chocolate fudge with plastic wrap and cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- When cooled, lift the old-fashioned chocolate fudge out of the dish and peel the paper off. Then cut the condensed milk chocolate fudge into squares to serve or store.
Tips
- Use parchment paper – by lining the baking dish with parchment paper before adding the fudge, you can easily pull the hardened fudge out of the dish after it’s cooled.
- Sweetened condensed milk – it’s important to ensure you have sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk for this fudge recipe. It contributes both sweetness and acts as a thickening agent.
- Make sure it hardens– there are a few reasons your fudge may not harden properly. First, if you don’t get it melted at the proper temperature. Secondly, if the sugar to liquid ratio is off – too much liquid makes for a softer fudge.
- Timing for add-ins – if adding in chopped nuts, liquor/liqueur, or candied fruits, make sure to stir them in after melting the chocolate so that they are evenly distributed throughout. If you just want them as a top layer on the fudge, then gently press them into it after placing them in the pan, but before it has started to cool.
Storage
Store this easy chocolate fudge recipe in a tightly sealed container on the counter at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. Storing it in the fridge will cause it to dry out and crystalize losing its creamy texture.
If you wish to freeze this fudge for later I would recommend doing so before cutting or rather freezing in chunks by either cutting it in half or quarters. Wrap the fudge tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the fudge in the refrigerator and then once thawed store at room temperature.
More Great Chocolate Recipes
- Double Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
- Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- heat resistant bowl
- Spoon
- 8X8 square baking dish
Ingredients
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Line 8" or 9" square baking dish with parchment paper
- Add 2 or 3 inches of water to the bottom of a medium saucepan then place a heat-resistant bowl over top just above the water making sure no water can escape or splash. Water will cause the chocolate to seize. Bring water to a simmer over medium-low heat.
- Add 3 cups of semi-sweet chocolate to the heat-resistant bowl and stir often until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Next add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla and mix until completely blended and the mixture is smooth. If you are adding nuts, candy or other add-ins add them now and mix until evenly combined.
- Remove from heat and pour the fudge into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to push the fudge into the corners and spread it out evenly. Cover with plastic wrap in cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- When cooled lift the parchment paper with fudge out of the baking dish and peel away the parchment paper. Cut into squares and serve.
Nutrition
Notes
- chopped nuts
- marshmallows
- candy
- dried fruit
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I am so excited to try this recipe! My mom made the real, old-fashioned boiled fudge when I was growing up, but I’ve never been able to duplicate it. I usually make the marshmallow cream stuff, but hate messing with the marshmallow cream. This looks fantastic and I’m gonna make a batch, this afternoon! Thanks for sharing!
This fudge is super easy to make but if you want a boiled brown sugar fudge recipe maybe this one will work for you. This is how my Grandma used to make it https://thedeliciousspoon.com/old-fashioned-brown-sugar-fudge/
Oh My, first off your pics are amazing. I almost want to reach into my monitor and grab that delicious looking fudge right off 😉 Fudge recipe sounds so easy to make – I would love to add it to my holiday ‘edible gifts’ idea.
Thanks so much that is very kind. They would be a great addition fo your holidday “edible gifts” idea list.
I am all for super easy fudge recipes that don’t require a bunch of ingredients! This looks awesome!
I’ve never made fudge!!! Love the minimal ingredients 🙂 Gonna have to give it a try this fall or winter. I know I’ll love the crunch from the walnuts
I think sweetened condensed milk makes the best fudge!!
Me too… so creamy and rich!
These are so delicious and fudgy!! Probably my new favs?????
The perfect solution to any chocolate craving!!