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Oh, the holidays! My absolute favorite time of year, and you know what that means – lots of cozy baking and filling the house with the most amazing smells. There’s just something so special about homemade treats, right? They feel like little packages of love and tradition. And if you’re anything like me, thinking about what to bake for parties or to give as gifts can be a little overwhelming! That’s where this incredibly easy and satisfying chocolate fudge recipe comes in. It’s one of those gems I learned from watching my grandma, just like I learned the importance of joyful cooking from her, and now I can’t wait to share it with you. It’s proof that you don’t need complicated steps to make something truly wonderful. This is pure comfort in every bite, and it’s perfect for adding that personal touch to your holiday celebrations, just like everything we do here at Carla’s Cooking. Find out more about my journey and why I believe food should always be simple and joyful!
- Why You'll Love This Easy Chocolate Fudge
- Ingredients for Perfect Homemade Fudge
- How to Make Fudge: Step-by-Step Guide
- Tips for the Best Fudge Every Time
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Fudge
- Serving and Storing Your Delicious Fudge
- Frequently Asked Questions about Fudge
- Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chocolate Fudge
Seriously, if you’re looking for a fuss-free way to impress, this is IT. You’ll love this fudge because:
- It’s ridiculously easy to whip up – no fancy equipment needed!
- The taste is pure chocolatey heaven. So rich and decadent!
- It’s super versatile. Perfect for holiday goodie boxes, potlucks, or just because you deserve a treat.
- It comes together super fast, making it ideal even for last-minute festive needs. You’ll feel like a baking superstar!
Ingredients for Perfect Homemade Fudge
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready! The beauty of this fudge recipe is that it uses stuff you probably already have lurking in your pantry. It’s not complicated at all, which is exactly how I like things in my kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need to grab to get this deliciousness going:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (make sure it’s softened a bit!)
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows (the mini ones melt so much better!)
How to Make Fudge: Step-by-Step Guide
Okay, let’s get down to business and make some amazing fudge! It’s surprisingly simple, and honestly, watching it come together feels like a little bit of kitchen magic. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of homemade goodness ready before you know it. We’ll make sure it’s perfectly smooth and delicious every single time. Trust me, this recipe makes fudgy brownies look like child’s play!
Preparing Your Pan for Easy Fudge Removal
First things first, you gotta prep your pan. This is super important to avoid any sticky disasters. Grab an 8×8 inch baking pan and give it a really good buttering or a generous coating of cooking spray. Seriously, get into all the corners! This ensures your beautiful fudge won’t stick and will slide right out once it’s set, making for perfect squares, not a crumbly mess.
Cooking the Fudge Base
Now for the cooking part! In a medium saucepan – not too small, you want some wiggle room – toss in your sugar, butter, and evaporated milk. Put it over medium heat and stir constantly. You want that butter to melt completely and the sugar to disappear. Once it’s all smooth, let it come to a gentle boil. Keep it boiling for exactly 5 minutes, stirring every so often to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom and burns.
Incorporating Chocolate and Marshmallows for Rich Fudge
After those 5 minutes are up, take the pan off the heat. This is when the real fun begins! Stir in your semi-sweet chocolate chips. Keep stirring until they’re totally melted and the mixture is smooth as silk. Then, toss in your mini marshmallows and the vanilla extract. Stir, stir, stir until those marshmallows are gooey and completely blended in. This step is pure heaven and what gives our fudge that irresistible, creamy texture.
Cooling and Setting Your Fudge
Alright, we’re almost there! Carefully pour that gorgeous, thick fudge mixture into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Now for the hardest part: waiting! You need to let it cool completely at room temperature. This usually takes at least 2 hours, maybe a little longer depending on your kitchen. Resist the urge to poke it! Let it set up firm. Patience is key for perfect fudge!
Tips for the Best Fudge Every Time
Making fudge can feel a little tricky sometimes, but trust me, it’s mostly about a few key things. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make sure my fudge comes out perfectly smooth and delicious *every single time*. It’s not about complicated stuff; it’s just little details that make a big difference for your homemade fudge.
If you want to get super precise, using a candy thermometer is your best friend. It’s what helps you hit that perfect “soft-ball stage” (around 235-240°F). That temperature is crucial for getting that classic fudge texture instead of something too hard or too soft. Also, once you’ve added the chocolate and marshmallows, try not to stir it *too* much. Over-stirring after that point can sometimes make your fudge a little grainy. Just gentle stirs to melt everything are perfect. For more dessert ideas and tips, check out my full desserts section!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Fudge
Now, let’s chat about these ingredients for a second! This recipe is pretty straightforward, but sometimes you might wonder about swapping things out, right? So, about the chocolate chips – I used semi-sweet because they give a lovely balance, but you could totally go for milk chocolate if you prefer it sweeter, or even dark chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor. Just know that different chocolates can affect how firm your fudge sets up. Also, evaporated milk is key here for that velvety texture; regular milk just won’t give you the same creamy results because it doesn’t have the same concentration. Stick with it if you can!
Serving and Storing Your Delicious Fudge
Once your amazing fudge has cooled and firmed up completely, it’s time for the best part: cutting and enjoying it! I love cutting mine into perfect little squares about 1-inch by 1-inch. They make the cutest little bite-sized treats. It’s absolutely divine served on its own with a cup of hot coffee or tea, especially on a chilly evening. For edible gifts, I just pop them into cute little boxes or bags – always a huge hit! If you’re looking for more snack ideas, have a peek at my appetizers and snacks section.
When it comes to storing this fudge, it’s pretty easy. Just keep it in an airtight container right on your counter. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week! Honestly, it usually disappears way before that, but it holds up really well. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it, as sometimes the texture can get a little weird after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fudge
Got questions about making the perfect batch of homemade fudge? I totally get it! Fudge can sometimes seem a little mysterious, but I’ve learned a few things over the years that can help clear things up. Here are some common things people ask me:
Why is my fudge grainy or crystallised?
Oh, the grainy fudge! It happens, usually because of one of two things. If sugar crystals form and don’t fully dissolve, or if you stir it too much after adding the chocolate and marshmallows, you can end up with that not-so-smooth texture. Making sure you cook the sugar mixture properly and then just stirring gently to melt everything is your best bet for super smooth fudge.
Can I make this fudge recipe without marshmallows?
You know, you totally can! Marshmallows help give this fudge its lovely, soft texture and extra creaminess. If you can’t use them or just don’t have them on hand, you can try omitting them. Just whisk in an extra few tablespoons of chocolate chips or maybe a little more butter to compensate for the fat and emulsifiers they provide. The texture might be a tiny bit different, maybe a little firmer, but it should still be really yummy chocolate fudge!
How long does homemade fudge last?
The good news is that this easy chocolate fudge lasts quite a while! Once it’s cooled and set, just store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It should stay delicious for about a week. Honestly, it usually gets gobbled up way before then in my house, but it’s good to know it keeps well!
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to this fudge recipe?
Absolutely! That’s one of the best parts about fudge – you can totally customize it. Feel free to stir in about a cup of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips. You could also add sprinkles or even a swirl of peanut butter for extra flavor. Just make sure your additions are fairly dry so they don’t mess with the fudge setting correctly.
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Okay, so just a little note about the numbers here! This is an *estimate*, because the exact calorie count can swing a bit depending on the brands of butter, chocolate chips, and even marshmallows you use. But generally, you’re looking at about 120 calories per square, with around 6g of fat and 17g of carbohydrates. It’s definitely a treat meant for enjoying sometimes, not every day!
PrintEasy Chocolate Fudge
A simple and delicious chocolate fudge recipe perfect for holidays, gifting, or snacking.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 min
- Yield: 36 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and evaporated milk.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips until melted and smooth.
- Add marshmallows and vanilla extract, stirring until marshmallows are melted and the mixture is well combined.
- Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Let the fudge cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For a smoother fudge, you can use a candy thermometer and cook the sugar mixture to the soft-ball stage (235-240°F or 113-116°C).
- Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Add chopped nuts or sprinkles for extra flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg