• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Worn Slap Out

  • Home
  • Recipe Box
    • Breakfast
    • Sides + Appetizers
    • Soups + Salads
    • Weeknight Dinners
    • Make Ahead Meals
    • Desserts
  • Meet Kathryn
  • Say Hey!
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Breakfast
  • Sides + Appetizers
  • Soups + Salads
  • Weeknight Dinners
  • Make Ahead Meals
  • Desserts
  • Meet Kathryn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Cookies

    Easy Chocolate Fudge (15 minutes!)

    November 18, 2020 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

    39 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Easy Chocolate Fudge is made without a candy thermometer and takes 15 minutes for creamy fudge you can sink your teeth into.

    Fudge, fudge, fudge, who doesn't love fudge? While you can make it any day of the year, there's something about the holidays that make me ready to break out the chocolate to satisfy a fudge craving I don't get any other time of year. If you have never made fudge before, this is a great one to start with. It's barely adapted from The New York Times and although I've tested a lot of chocolate fudge recipes, this one always comes out the best (and also happens to be the easiest). I love when that happens. (If you love peanut butter fudge, you've got to check out this easy one.)

    Why I Love This Easy Chocolate Fudge

    1. Does not require a candy thermometer. Just use a double boiler or a bowl over simmering water.
    2. Takes 15 minutes. 'Nuff said.
    3. Foolproof. This fudge is really, really hard to screw up. I think the only thing you could possibly do to screw the fudge up is over-heat the chocolate. You won't do that though because you're going to read all of the directions.
    4. Easily customizable. I can do a batch for my kids (which is this version pictured -- a total purist's version -- and then other batches with completely different flavors. See more on add-ins below.
    5. Makes a great small gift. Wrap it up in a cute bag with a big holiday and bow and it's a perfect small treat for co-workers, friends, the mailman, you name it.
    chocolate fudge stacked up in a pyramid. top square of fudge is bitten into exposing teeth marks.

    What Chocolate is Best For Fudge?

    This is really a personal preference. You could use semi-sweet, bittersweet or a combination of both.

    Ingredients You Need to Make Fudge

    • unsalted butter
    • semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
    • sweetened condensed milk
    • salt
    • vanilla extract
    • sprinkles - optional, but highly recommended
    side shot of chocolate fudge stacked up in a pyramid on a small red plate.

    How to Make Old Fashioned Chocolate Fudge

    Doesn't get easier than this. The trick is to get the chocolate mixture combined and melted with as little heat as possible.

    Step 1: Melt everything together with as little heat as possible.

    Melt the ingredients (minus the sprinkles and any add-ons) in a double boiler or bowl over a pan of simmering water (just make sure the bowl isn't actually touching the water). When the mixture has just melted, remove from the heat and stir in any add-ons.

    Step 2: Remove from heat, mix in any add-ins, and pour into pan.

    Pour into a 8" square pan lined with parchment or wax paper. Smooth the top of the fudge with an offset spatula or spoon. Sprinkle the sprinkles on top (if using).

    Step 3: Let fudge chill in the refrigerator.

    Let the fudge cool just a bit before placing in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours. When the fudge has hardened, remove from the square pan and cut into small squares using a very sharp knife.

    aerial photo of 2 plates with small squares of chocolate fudge stacked on them with holly and pine cones strewn about.

    Fudge Add-Ins

    Maybe you want to be a little more experimental with your fudge than my kids like? There's a million different ways you can customize this fudge to satisfy any preferences. Feel free to add:

    • Chopped nuts. Add ½ chopped nuts to the mixture after you remove the chocolate from the heat. Chopped walnuts and almonds are particularly delicious.
    • Orange zest. A tablespoon of orange zest adds a citrus hint to your chocolate -- kind of like those chocolate covered oranges I used to hate when I was little.
    • Cognac-soaked raisins. Soak raisins in cognac (or any dark liquor) overnight and add ½ cup into the mixture after it's taken off the heat.
    • Espresso. 1 teaspoon of espresso granules will heighten the flavor the chocolate. Add the espresso granules with the rest of the ingredients.
    • Lavender. Add 2 tablespoons of lavender once the mixture comes off the heat for a bit of floral deliciousness.

    Other Holiday Desserts

    • Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies
    • Santa Sugar Cookies
    • Classic Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
    • No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
    • Classic Chocolate and Peanut Butter Buckeyes
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Macarons

    xox,

    kathryn

    As always, if you make anything from the blog, be sure to let me know! I love hearing from you in the comments on this post below or find Worn Slap Out on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

    Easy Chocolate Fudge

    This Easy Chocolate Fudge is made without a candy thermometer and takes 15 minutes for a creamy, decadent sweet bite.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: chocolate fudge, easy fudge, holiday treats
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 36 1" squares

    Ingredients

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 ⅔ cups semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
    • 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • sprinkles, optional

    Instructions

    • Spray or butter a 8" square baking pan. Line with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • In a double boiler or metal bowl set over simmering water (make sure the bowl isn't touching the water), combine all of the ingredients. Stir often and the mixture is just melted. Remove from the heat.
    • Place chocolate mixture in 8" baking sheet. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours. Lift fudge out of baking pan. Using a sharp knife, cut edges off if some are jagged (just to make all sides smooth), and cut the rest of the fudge into squares.

    More Cookies

    • Flat lay picture of polar bear Oreos on parchment lined baking tray.
      Polar Bear Oreos
    • flat lay photo with 3 plates of bourbon ginger molasses cookies next to plate of sugar where dough ball is being rolled
      Bourbon Ginger Molasses Cookies
    • stack of snickerdoodle cookies on white square plate.
      Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar
    • Chocolate Covered Oreo Reindeer Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Let Me Know What You Think! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    picture of kathryn, owner of worn slap out food blog.

    Hi, I'm Kathryn! Welcome to Worn Slap Out, a Southern-inspired recipe corner for busy people on the go. As a mom of two littles who also loves food, I need meals on the table ASAP but I also want to eat well. Here, you'll find quick, easy, and reasonably healthy meals you can make in a flash. Other loves include Georgia football, cake of all kinds, and elastic waistbands.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • side view of Oreo pudding cups with gummy worms in a small glass cup.
      Dirt and Worms Recipe
    • perfectly grilled tomahawk steak on silver tray over parchment paper and a few sprigs of rosemary.
      How to Cook a Tomahawk Steak (Perfect & Juicy!)
    • aerial view of large wooden charcuterie board covered with cheeses, meats, pomegranates, and other fruits and veggies.
      Easy Charcuterie Board with Pomegranate for the Holidays
    • tray full of shredded chicken with two forks crossed on top, next to a yellow plate and small bowl of BBQ sauce.
      Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken

    What do you have a hankerin' for?

    Let's Be Social!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Get Updates!

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Get in touch

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Worn Slap Out on the Foodie Pro Theme