The easiest way to make homemade fudge! This 3-ingredient microwave fudge recipe is rich, creamy, and endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings. It’s the perfect treat for gifting, parties or satisfying those chocolate cravings in no time!
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Whether they’re fruit-filled hand pies, cheesecake-stuffed chocolates or caramel-loaded cookies, one thing is certain: The best gifts are edible gifts. And high atop my list of go-to edible gifts is this microwave homemade fudge.
Traditional fudge can be a semi-tricky endeavor, but this shortcut version? It’s pure magic! With just three ingredients and five minutes, you can create a delicious chocolate fudge that’s smooth, creamy, and customized with whatever mix-ins or toppings your heart can imagine, from chopped nuts and dried fruit to rainbow sprinkles and toasted coconut.
Want to go the extra mile? Include a splash of homemade vanilla extract for added flavor (and bragging rights!). And don’t forget to round out your edible gifting spread with a few festive homemade holiday lollipops.
- Chocolate chips: I use semisweet chocolate chips for the perfect balance of sweetness, but milk or dark chocolate chips work well in this recipe, too.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This is what makes our microwave fudge creamy, rich and oh-so-easy to prepare. I always reach for Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk for consistent results, but any quality brand will do the trick.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, try homemade vanilla extract.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
This microwave fudge recipe is super easy to make! All you need is a microwave-safe bowl to melt the chocolate, a sturdy spatula and an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with wax paper. In no time, you’ll be enjoying rich, creamy fudge that’s perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself!
- Combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Spread the fudge mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle your chosen toppings over the top and press them lightly into the fudge.
- Chill. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until the fudge is firm.
- Slice and serve. Lift the fudge out of the pan using the wax paper overhang, then cut it into 1-inch squares.
Pro Tip for Slicing Fudge: For clean, professional-looking squares, warm your knife under hot water, then dry it off with a clean towel before each cut. This helps glide through the fudge without dragging or cracking it. For extra precision, use a ruler to mark your cuts before slicing!
Mix-Ins & Toppings for Fudge
The best part of this easy fudge recipe is how customizable it is. Love peanuts? Chop some up and toss them in. Love sweet and salty desserts? Add pretzels or flaky sea salt. Let your imagination (and sweet tooth!) run wild. Here are a few of my fave fudge toppings to try:
- Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
- Crushed peppermint candies
- Dried fruit (cranberries, cherries)
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Mini marshmallows
- Toasted coconut
- Drizzles of white or dark chocolate
Storage and Freezing Tips
- Storage: Keep your homemade fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: This chocolate fudge recipe freezes beautifully. I almost always have a batch in my freezer for last-minute guests. To freeze, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge or at room temp for an hour or two before serving.
FAQs
Microwave fudge sets much faster than traditional fudge! After about 30 minutes in the fridge, it should be firm enough to slice and enjoy.
Nope! You can store your fudge at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. If you prefer it chilled, go ahead and refrigerate it for a firmer texture, but it’s not required.
Ingredients
- 1 (12-oz.) bag semisweet chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Assorted sprinkles, chopped nuts or toasted coconut flakes, for topping
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with wax paper, leaving a 2-inch overhand on two sides.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each increment, until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract then pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the fudge into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the top of the fudge with your preferred toppings, pressing them lightly into the fudge. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes or until the fudge has hardened slightly.
- Using the wax paper overhangs, lift the fudge out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the fudge into 1-inch squares and serve them immediately or store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Kelly’s Notes
- Storage: Keep your homemade fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: This chocolate fudge freezes beautifully. To freeze, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge or at room temp for an hour or two before serving.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
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Do you have such a simple recipe for Vanilla fudge? Thanks
I don’t have a vanilla recipe at this time but will add it to my recipe development list!
U for got the bacon ….u an fry up bacon nice n crisp n add it to the fudge n look out ….if u luv bacon n u luv fudge make a big batch ….ummmm it’s so goooood
That sounds delicious!
Thanks Kelly for these easy to make recipes. These fudge looks easy to make and lots of fun. I will use these for our youth activity for our Christmas basket giveaway. Thanks again
This homemade fudge recipe looks SO fun & delicious. I bet these would make great Christmas gifts too.
Thanks so much, Thalia!
This fudge is so beautiful, it’s like “choose your own adventure!” Too fun! :D
Yes, so true, Roxana! :)