When I think of Fudge, I think of two scenarios: a bustling county fair or a Christmas spread. Either way you slice it (pun intended), it’s also one of the best candies to make at home! This Chocolate Fudge Recipe is super easy to make, uses just 5 ingredients, and comes together in 10 minutes FLAT. It’s rich and chocolatey with the perfect amount of chew, making it a decadent treat that feels extra special.

Helpful Tips & Variations

• Chop the walnuts up very small. I like my walnuts to be very finely chopped so they’re not too overwhelming in each bite. Carefully dice any overly large walnuts before mixing them with the other ingredients and sprinkling on top.
• Have your pan prepped and ready! I always prep my baking pan with a greased piece of parchment paper before starting the recipe. Once everything is melded and removed from the heat, it can set quickly, so you have to move fast!
• Prevent the mixture from seizing up. Start by heating everything over medium-low heat, then turn it up to medium until the chocolate starts melting. I then turn it down to low to finish it off. Doing this speeds up the melting process without causing the chocolate to seize up, which can happen if it’s heated too quickly.
• Keep an eye on the batter. Your batter is ready to be chilled once it’s smooth and glossy in texture (see my process photos below for a visual.) Take it off the heat at this point to avoid overcooking.
• Chill before cutting. Let the batter set in the refrigerator before cutting into it. This took about 2-3 hours for me.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk is essential. This is needed to make the batter thick and creamy. It’s basically sugar and milk that has been cooked down together, so it’s a key ingredient for both sweetness and texture. Don’t use evaporated milk, as it won’t work the same!
• Skip the nuts. I like mixing finely chopped walnuts into my melted chocolate mixture, and then I sprinkle some on top before chilling. It adds a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the otherwise smooth candy. But you can simply omit if you hate nuts.
• Try different toppings. Swap the walnut topping with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt, espresso beans, candied pecans, or crumbled shards of peanut brittle.
• Use a different chocolate chips. The semi sweet chips can be swapped out for a different chocolate chip, say peanut butter or white chocolate!

How To Make Chocolate Fudge Step By Step

Gather your ingredients. Butter parchment paper with 1/2 tablespoon salted butter and use it to line a 8×8” baking dish. Set aside. (I find it’s helpful to dot a little butter on the dish itself underneath the parchment so it sticks, because this batter is sticky and thick!)

In a small saucepan or pot over medium-low heat, add 2 & 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons salted butter, 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Turn heat up to medium for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture will begin to slowly melt. Once you see the chocolate chips begin to lose their shape, turn the heat back down to low, continuing to stir.

Once the batter is smooth, very thick, and glossy, use a spoon or rubber spatula to scoop it out and into your buttered and parchment-lined baking dish. NOTE: You need to work fast, so smooth it out quickly!

Sprinkle over a couple tablespoons finely chopped walnuts or your desired toppings.

Transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 2-3 hours. Then slice into 1 inch squares and enjoy!

Proper Storage

Pop your homemade fudge into an airtight container, with parchment paper between each layer, and store it at room temperature for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can even freeze this recipe for up to 3 months! Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!

More Easy Homemade Candy Recipes:

• Polar Bear Paws
• Saltine Cracker Toffee
• Crockpot Candy
• Old Fashioned Potato Candy
• Homemade Caramels