3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Recipe | Perfect for Gifts! (2024)

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This Easy Chocolate Fudge recipe is made with just 3 ingredients! Chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla come together to make a homemade fudge that’s bursting with chocolate flavor. It’s a simple treat to put together for gifts and sharing this holiday season.

3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Recipe | Perfect for Gifts! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Easy Homemade Chocolate Fudge
  • HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE FUDGE
  • THIS FUDGE RECIPE ONLY TAKES 3 MINUTES!
  • Get the Recipe

Easy Homemade Chocolate Fudge

I’ve been loving testing out new fudge recipes lately. Did you catch my Easy White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge recently? SO good! Both that fudge and this one are so rich and creamy, it’s hard to stop eating them!

Now, there are two great things I’ve found about fudge lately. One – it can be incredibly easy to make. And two – it’s a delicious treat to snack on when taking care of twins. 😉 The only problem with that is it might be too easy.

3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Recipe | Perfect for Gifts! (2)

But of course easy is exactly what we need this time of year. So much going on, so little time and oh my gosh, Christmas is like 10 days away. When did that happen?!? I’m so not ready. And if you’re not fully prepared and need something quick, this fudge is for you. Not to mention, it’s a great chocolate fix if you’re losing your mind a bit and chocolate makes you feel better. 🙂

3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Recipe | Perfect for Gifts! (3)
3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Recipe | Perfect for Gifts! (4)

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE FUDGE

So to get started making this easy chocolate fudge, you’ll need just three ingredients – chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Hopefully you’re like me and already have those 3 things in your pantry at all times.

Grab a 9×9 inch pan and line it with parchment paper and set that aside. Then put the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk into a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave them for one minute, then stir to combine and let the residual heat do as much of the melting as it can. If it needs another 30 seconds or so, go ahead and heat it some more, then stir it until it’s melted.

Once everything is melted together, add the vanilla extract and combine everything. Working quickly, pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Let the fudge cool to room temperature before cutting into squares. You could also let it cool in the fridge to speed up the process, but it doesn’t have to be refrigerated.

THIS FUDGE RECIPE ONLY TAKES 3 MINUTES!

This chocolate fudge is so easy to make, it takes all of about three minutes! A minute to prepare the pan and ingredients, a minute to melt the chocolate and a minute to spread it out into the pan. Seriously – SO EASY! You will be enjoying the best chocolate fudge before you know it! Dense, rich, chocolatey, delicious! What are you waiting for?!

3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Recipe | Perfect for Gifts! (5)

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3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Recipe | Perfect for Gifts! (6)

Recipe

Easy Chocolate Fudge

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 58 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 minute
  • Total Time: 11 minutes
  • Yield: 20-25 pieces
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No Bake
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This easy chocolate fudge recipe is made with just 3 ingredients and is full of rich chocolate flavor! A simple Christmas or holiday gift you’ll love.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (12oz) semi sweet chocolate chips (do not use milk chocolate)
  • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Line a 9×9 square pan with parchment paper that covers the sides of the pan.
2. Place the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl and microwave for one minute. Stir well to combine and allow the heat to melt the chocolate chips. If needed, microwave for another 30 seconds or so, until the chocolate is completely smooth.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract, then quickly transfer the mixture to the lined pan and spread evenly.
4. Refrigerate the fudge until firm, 2-3 hours.
5. Cut the fudge while it’s still cold (right out of the fridge) and store in an air tight container. Fudge can be stored at either room temperature or the fridge. It will be softer at room temperature.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Piece
  • Calories: 159
  • Sugar: 21.9 g
  • Sodium: 27.2 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23.2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 7.3 mg

Categories

  • Christmas
  • Holidays
  • No Bake Desserts
  • Other Sweets
  • Recipes
  • Recipes with video
  • Sweets and Treats

Enjoy!

3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Recipe | Perfect for Gifts! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good 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).

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

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.

How to package fudge for gift giving? ›

Add a simple wooden or paper stick, some transparent gauze wrapping, a bow and a creative label to any piece of fudge, and you've now got something that looks more like an expensive candy apple than a humble square of fudge.

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Tips For Making Dad's Old Fashioned Fudge

Choose Pure Vanilla Extract- For a wonderfully rich and robust flavor, pure vanilla extract is recommended over imitation vanilla. Use Evaporated Milk- Make sure to use evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk.

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

What makes high quality fudge? ›

It's the size of sugar crystals that makes the knees of fudge lovers buckle…the smaller the crystals, the less they are perceived on the tongue and the more the fudge tastes smooth and creamy. Cooking, and beating after cooking, is the key to successful fudge.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

Why do you add vanilla to fudge? ›

Vanilla is often added to chocolate candies or other chocolate recipes because it complements and accents the flavor of chocolate.

How do you make homemade fudge firmer? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

Is fudge a good gift? ›

Creamy, rich homemade fudge is a fabulous gift to bestow upon family, friends, and lucky neighbors, especially during the holiday season.

How to serve fudge at a party? ›

Place the fudges in small trays together with random cuts of your desserts and fruits. Note: Put the big fruits first.

How do you package chocolate as a gift? ›

Make or find a cardstock gift box for your chocolates.

They keep the chocolates cool to prevent heat from melting them. You can fold one yourself or purchase a small paper gift box from most craft stores. Measure your chocolates beforehand to make sure you choose or fold a box large enough for them.

Why won't my condensed milk fudge set? ›

If you didn't reach the correct temperature during the cooking process, it might not set properly. Use a candy thermometer to ensure that you reach the recommended temperature. Overcooking or Undercooking:Solution: Cooking the fudge for too long or too short a time can affect its texture.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

Evaporated milk has added sugar and carbohydrates which are very high, making sweetened condensed milk not healthy for nutritional intake for babies and children, Ali explained.

What is the best pan to make fudge in? ›

Saucepan: Choose a heavy, straight-sided metal saucepan that holds about twice the volume of your fudge recipe. A heavy pan distributes heat evenly so the ingredients are less likely to scorch when they boil at high temperature. Using a large saucepan gives the ingredients room to expand when they boil.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

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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