Chocolate Fudge – The Cookie Rookie®

Chocolate Fudge is a classic treat that is surprisingly easy to make. You only need 5 ingredients! This easy homemade fudge recipe is simple, foolproof, and absolutely delicious. Everyone will love this rich, chocolately dessert!

squares of chocolate fudge with a bite taken from one

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Everyone loves a classic, old-fashioned chocolate fudge! It’s a fun dessert for holidays or parties, and it’s fun to make too. Kids and adults alike will devour this chocolatey treat!

This homemade fudge recipe is so easy to make, you’ll want to start making it all the time. And it’s easy to create different flavor variations with this recipe as the base.

No matter when you serve it, or what other ingredients you might add, this chocolate fudge recipe will delight anyone who tries it.

Why You’ll Love this Homemade Fudge Recipe:

EASY TO MAKE: Chocolate fudge is surprisingly easy to make at home! You only need 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes to make it.
CHOCOLATEY: Have I mentioned chocolate? This fudge is so delicious, rich, and decadent. Nothing beats the simple pleasures of chocolate!
FAMILY FAVORITE: Everyone in the family will love this homemade fudge recipe. Kids, adults, grandparents, guests, and anyone who tries this will absolutely love it!

Once I show you how to make chocolate fudge at home, you’ll be making it for every occasion. It’s such a fun treat to have around, any time. There’s nothing better than biting into a little square of decadent chocolate like this.

step by step photos for how to make chocolate fudge

Chocolate Fudge Ingredients

For this homemade chocolate fudge recipe, you only need 5 simple ingredients.

Chocolate: Use semi-sweet chocolate chips for the chocolate base.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Butter: Use unsalted butter.
Salt: Salt helps to balance out the sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: A little bit of pure vanilla extract creates the perfect flavor.
Optional Ingredients: If you want to mix other things in, or add toppings, consider flaky sea salt, pecans, walnuts, or another flavored extract.

How to make Chocolate Fudge

Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
Heat chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan, over medium heat.
Stir until it starts to melt, then add the butter, vanilla, and salt. And continue stirring until chocolate is fully melted.
Pour chocolate mixture into the pan, and let it set. You can do this at room temperature or in the fridge.
Slice as desired to serve.

overhead image of squares of fudge on a wood serving tray

stack of 4 squares of chocolate fudge on a wood board

How far in advance can I make fudge?

Fudge keeps at room temperature up to 1 week, so you could make it anytime up to a week in advance. If making it for guests or a party, I recommend making it the day before so it has time to set.

Can I make a double batch of this chocolate fudge recipe?

Yes, you can double this recipe to make more. Use two 8×8 baking pans and distribute the chocolate evenly between the two.

Do you put homemade fudge in the fridge to set?

You can let it set in the fridge or at room temperature. The fridge might speed up the setting process, but I prefer setting at room temp. This leads to a much better consistency and texture.

Is fudge supposed to be hard or soft?

The ideal consistency for chocolate fudge should not be too hard or too soft. It should be firm, but with a softness when biting into it.

Why does my fudge taste grainy?

You want to be stirring the chocolate consistently while it heats. If you don’t, it might end up grainy. If it cools too quickly, that could potentially lead to a grainy texture as well.

Why isn’t my fudge hardening?

If you’re fudge isn’t hardening or setting, it might mean that your chocolate mixture wasn’t cooked enough, or hot enough. When heating on the stove, you want it to be fully melted, and it will start to thicken.

How long does fudge take to set?

This depends on a few factors. In the fridge, allow 1-2 hours to fully set. At room temperature, it could take 3 hours or more.

Variations

This chocolate fudge recipe is so delicious just as it is. But it also works great as a base recipe for other types and flavor variations. You can easily add other ingredients into this homemade fudge to create something different! Here are some ideas.

Peppermint Chocolate Fudge: Just replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract to add a minty twist. This would be perfect for Christmas! You could even add some peppermint or candy cane bits on top.
Nutty Fudge: If you’re a fan of nuts, add pecans, walnuts, cashews, or any kind of nut as a topping. You can mix them into the chocolate as well, but I’d recommend using small pieces if you do that for easier chewing.
Caramel Chocolate Fudge: Add caramel into the fudge mixture or drizzle it on top before it sets.

squares of chocolate fudge topped with sea salt

Tips!

Stir chocolate consistently until it melts for best results.
Make sure the stove is set to a medium heat. Too high and it’s likely to burn, too low and it will be difficult to properly heat, melt, and mix.
Line the baking pan with parchment paper to make it easy to remove the fudge from the pan when it’s done.
Let fudge set at room temperature for best results.
It’s easy to mix extra ingredients into this recipe to create your own flavor variations. Or add your favorite toppings at the end before it sets.

Does fudge need to be refrigerated?

No, homemade fudge does not need to be refrigerated at any point. It can set at room temperature, and it can be stored at room temperature too. If you prefer, you CAN refrigerate it to set or store, but it’s not necessary.

Can I add other ingredients to this chocolate fudge recipe?

Absolutely! This 5 ingredient chocolate fudge recipe has such a deliciously simple flavor. But you can easily add other ingredients to change it up. Check the variations section above for some ideas!

How do you store homemade fudge?

This fudge recipe yields a good amount, so you’ll definitely want to store and keep it until you eat it all up. You can store it at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or even in the freezer!

Room Temperature: Store it in an airtight container at room temp, for up to 1 week. This is my preferred method if I plan to eat the fudge pretty quickly.
Refrigerator: If you want the fudge to keep a little bit longer, layer it between sheets of wax paper or parchment paper, in an airtight container. Then keep it in the fridge up to 2-3 weeks.
Freezer: For long-term storage, freeze your homemade fudge. Wrap it tightly in one or two layers (wax paper and aluminum foil is ideal), then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep for 2-3 months. Let it thaw out in the fridge before serving.

2 squares of chocolate fudge with a bite taken from one

You’re going to love making this homemade fudge! And you’re going to love eating it even more. Once you see how easy it is to make, this chocolate fudge recipe will be a regular treat at your house.