No Fail Fudge Recipe (2024)

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ByTrisha HaasPublished: Updated:

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This EASY FUDGE RECIPE is so easy because it’s just a three-ingredient chocolate fudge! Heat, stir, and set, wow! A totally no-fail fudge recipe!

In under 10 minutes, you can be well on your way to a thick, rich, and chocolaty dark fudge that will tempt your taste buds all day. No double boiler, marshmallow, or candy thermometer makes this homemade fudge recipe a perfect treat for holiday parties.

These simply delicious traditional fudge squares are also amazing gift chocolate and wrap up beautifully.

No Fail Fudge Recipe (1)

Why you will love this 3 Ingredient Fudge Recipe

No fail Fudge is one of those desserts people love to buy, with entire shops set up and hoards of incredible flavors. But it’s also SO incredibly easy to make that buying it seems like a shame!

From easy peanut butter fudge, to classic chocolate to even mint fudge, this three-ingredient recipe makes even the most novice chef look like a pro.

Call this fudge old-fashioned or classic, but no matter what you call it, you will call it DELICIOUS!

In this recipe, I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, so I think technically, this could count as a dark chocolate fudge recipe.

This perfect treat is so rich and comes together quickly (in only 10 minutes!), and then time to chill and set. I always chill overnight for the best results.

As with all simple fudge recipes, you can probably get away with an hour or two in the freezer if you need it quickly.

Easy Fudge Ingredients

Simply done, you only need chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter for a smooth chocolaty finish. Amazing fudge should not be gritty, grainy, or chewy – just a melt-in-your-mouth sweet treat fudgy mixture!

  • semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • unsalted butter

How to make No Fail Fudge

  1. Line an 8×8 square baking pan with aluminum foil and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Add chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter to a heavy saucepan. (note: in the video, you probably see a variety of sizes of chips – that is because when I made the video, I had several opened bags and used the rest of some of the smaller ones up.)
No Fail Fudge Recipe (2)
  1. Heat your chocolate mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until butter and chocolate are melted, and the mixture is smooth and creamy. It is VERY important to continue to stir and not walk away from your fudge! This process takes me about 7 minutes on my gas stove. Your chocolate should be smooth and slightly thick (not soupy) or hard. To me, the consistency is a bit like frosting, but officially the terminology is called a “soft ball” stage.
No Fail Fudge Recipe (3)
  1. Pour your melted chocolate into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly with the back of a spoon. Refrigerate fudge overnight or until firm.
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  1. Once firm, remove homemade fudge from the refrigerator and peel fudge edges away from the foil.
  2. Use a large, sharp knife to cut fudge into squares. Makes 42 creamy fudge squares.
No Fail Fudge Recipe (5)

Will Fudge Firm in Freezer?

If you need your fudge quickly, I have never had a problem popping it into the freezer for a few hours instead of the fridge to set.

Also, note when cutting, the knife can get really fudgy, and as you go along, your cuts may not be as clean. Simply wipe off the knife after a few slices to get an even cut on the squares.

No Fail Fudge Recipe (6)

Can I use Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk?

We have all been there- you get home and realize that you grabbed the fat-free, sweetened condensed milk and do not want to run back to the store. DO NOT USE IT IN FUDGE.

I am so sorry to say that, but I have done it to test, and it’s just NOT the same.

The texture and taste are both really off, and it doesn’t set as well. If that happens to you, maybe try my peanut butter fudge recipe because it does NOT have condensed milk.

No Fail Fudge Recipe (7)

Related Chocolate Recipes

  • This easy holiday Christmas bark recipe has pretty little swirls of red and green but is so easy to change up for every holiday.
  • Did you know that brownies can be made with black beans?
  • The original hot chocolate cocoa bombs recipe.
  • I also really love these delicious No Cook S’mores – I am all about not cooking over the holiday season!
  • Creamy and rich, making a chocolate chip cheese ball has never been easier.
  • The perfect crockpot holiday chocolate candy to gift.
  • Layers of thick chocolate and caramel, these gooey chocolate and caramel bars are a reader favorite.

No Fail Fudge Recipe (8)

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Easy Fudge Recipe (NO FAIL!)

Author Trisha Haas – Salty Side Dish


Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 8 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

No Fail Easy Fudge Recipe with only 3 simple ingredients to perfectly silky rich and decadent chocolate fudge in just 10 minutes!

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Line an 8×8 square baking pan with foil (bring foil up over the sides of the pan for easy removal) and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

  • Add chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and unsalted butter in a saucepan.

  • Heat the fudge mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula until butter and chocolate are melted, and the mixture is smooth. This typically takes about 7-8 minutes on a gas stove, and the fudge should be smooth, even, and much like frosting.

  • If you underheat, the chocolate could be soupy, and if you overheat, it could seize up and harden in the pan. This is a slow and steady process while stirring.

  • After the fudge is smooth and melted, pour fudge into the prepared pan and spread evenly with the back of a spoon.

  • Refrigerate the fudge pan overnight or until completely firm.

  • Once firm, carefully lift the foil from the pan and set it on a cooking board. Peel foil from the sides of the fudge.

  • Use a large, sharp knife to cut into squares, wiping chocolate from the knife blade (carefully) between cuts for a smooth cut.

  • Makes 42 squares

Video

Notes

  • NOTES: See full recipe article for tips on cutting and setting fudge!
  • I sometimes set my fudge quicker in the freezer.
  • Keep fudge in the fridge in an airtight container to store leftovers.

Nutrition

Serving: 42squares | Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.

Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.

Did You Make This Recipe?

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4.99 from 897 votes

No Fail Fudge Recipe (9)
No Fail Fudge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

How to Make Fudge. The trick to good homemade fudge is to cook the ingredients to the right temperature to form a sugar syrup, and cool the mixture properly so the texture of the fudge turns out smooth and firm, but soft enough to cut. Here's how to make fudge on your stovetop and in your microwave.

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

What is the key to successful non grainy fudge? ›

While you ultimately want crystals to form, it's important that they don't form too early. The key to successful, nongrainy fudge is in the cooling, not the cooking.

Why won't my 2 ingredient fudge set? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What not to do when making fudge? ›

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Candy Shop-Worthy Fudge and Caramels
  1. Using the Wrong Pan. All candy and confections start by melting sugar. ...
  2. Stirring the Sugar. ...
  3. Not Using a Candy Thermometer. ...
  4. Leaving Out the Parchment Paper Lining. ...
  5. Skipping the Cooking Spray. ...
  6. Scraping the Pot. ...
  7. Using a Cold Knife to Slice.
Dec 16, 2015

How do you make fudge creamy and not grainy? ›

Grainy Fudge

To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon. You can use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar that sticks to the sides of the pot.

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.

Why does fudge fail? ›

Homemade Fudge Doesn't Always Set

If your fudge doesn't firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn't reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.

What makes fudge firmer? ›

Cooking is necessary to dissolve sugar crystals and to evaporate part of the water in the cream. The length of this step has a direct impact on the firmness of the fudge.

Can you redo fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 4) If you think the reason it didn't set was because you didn't heat it to the right temperature, you could try putting it back into the pan and re-cooking.

Why does my fudge fall apart when I cut it? ›

Overcooking or Undercooking:Solution: Cooking the fudge for too long or too short a time can affect its texture. Follow the recipe instructions closely and use a timer to avoid overcooking.

What happens if you don't beat fudge long enough? ›

However, if you don't beat it at all, the crystals won't form properly, so your fudge won't set. If you forget to beat the fudge, try heating it back up over low heat, then beat it once it's slightly softened. If you beat the fudge too soon, the crystals will be too large, and the fudge will be grainy.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

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