This World’s Easiest Fudge is just for you – and me! For about a month I have had an unshakeable craving for fudge – rich, chocolate, nut-laden fudge. Guess what today’s recipe is? I dream about it, I think about it during the day … it is a good thing I just happen to write about chocolate every week. It is time to appease my cravings and yours!
With a few readily available ingredients, you can have this made in no time and the hardest thing is waiting for it to set up before cutting into squares and sneaking piece after piece!!
For many years I made all my fudge the exact same way my dad did, from scratch and complete with beating by hand until my arm nearly fell off. But these days I want an easier method and that’s what you’re getting today … the world’s easiest way to make homemade fudge!
When I was a kid, my dad made fudge the way he was taught by his mother, my grandmother Mimi that you’ve heard me talk about for years. She is the one who ignited my passion for cooking and baking. She made it all look so simple that I never had any fears to overcome! What an incredible gift. I am forever grateful.
Children are naturally fearless which makes them the perfect age (after about 3 or 4) to start helping you in the kitchen, showing them techniques to use, how to stay safe with the heat of the stove and oven, working with knives, and discovering the joy of making something that brings happiness to people you love. And of course being able to eat your own delicious creation is the biggest treat of all.
If you want to make fudge the old-fashioned way like my dad did, the remarkable Jenni Field of Online Pastry Chef has step-by-step guides to walk you through the process. Jenni is a gem, one of the truly great people on this planet!
One of the things that makes candy making challenging is humid or wet weather. It can cause all kinds of trouble for sugar – don’t try caramelizing sugar on a rainy day! But by using the marshmallow crème in this recipe (or corn syrup in Jenni’s recipe) you reduce the risk of the sugar crystals re-forming, helping to give you the smooth, creamy fudge you dream of!
If you don’t like nuts in your fudge, just leave them out or change to another nut that you love. It is totally your choice!
This is a great recipe to make with your kids. It incorporates a lot of valuable lessons without many inherent risks of failure. Little ones need successes to build their confidence and this recipe gives them that. There is plenty of time later for them to learn how to deal with flops, right now all we want is delicious fudge that turns out every time!
Rich and creamy, it literally melts in your mouth and disappears before you know it. Beware, you will keep reaching for piece after piece. I have failed miserably at controlling myself with this batch of the world’s easiest fudge, so half of it is going to my father-in-law tomorrow!
Enjoy and Happy Chocolate Monday!
If you try this recipe, let me know! Please leave a star rating in the recipe card, comment below, and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it @theheritagecook on Instagram! Seeing your creations makes my day and I love hearing from you!
Ingredients needed for World’s Easiest Fudge:
- Evaporated milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Butter
- Chocolate
- Marshmallow crème
- Chopped nuts, optional
PRO Tip: How to Calibrate Thermometers
When calibrating you need a set temperature that never varies. The easiest to achieve is boiling water which is a consistent 212°F (100°C) (at sea level) gives you the perfect standard. Bring water to a full boil and insert your thermometer. Let it sit in the water about 3 to 5 minutes (unless it is an instant read). If it reads 212°F (100°C) there are no adjustments required. If it is higher you will have to cook your candy to a higher temperature, lower than 212°F (100°C) you will look for a lower temperature.
For example, if it reads 215°F, you will have to add 3 degrees to the temperature goal of the recipe. In today’s recipe you will cook the candy to 234°F (112°C). If your thermometer registered 215°F (102°C) in boiling water, you would cook your candy to 237°F (114°C). On the flip side, if your thermometer registers 210°F (99°C), you would cook the candy to 232°F (111°C).
The caveat for this technique is that water boils at different temperatures depending on your altitude. There is a great website with a chart (https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/boiling-points-water-altitude-d_1344.html) you can use to figure out the boiling point of water for your altitude. Use this number to calibrate your thermometers.
How to make World’s Easiest Fudge:
- Butter an 8-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper
- Combine the evaporated milk, sugar, and vanilla
- Add the butter and bring to a boil; cook to 234°F (112°C)
- Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate and marshmallow crème
- Pour candy into the prepared pan and let cool for at least 4 hours
- Lift the block of fudge out of the pan and cut into squares to serve
PRO Tip:
The accuracy of your kitchen thermometers is never more crucial than when making candy. The delicate balance of heat and sugar demands precise cooking and a candy thermometer to monitor it. In caramel for example, cook it too little and you have a syrup, too long and you get hard candy. Knowing the temperature you need to get the exact texture you are looking for, is the key to success.
Recommended Tools (affiliate links; no extra cost to you):
- 8-inch square baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Candy thermometer or instant read thermometer
- Medium saucepan
- Offset spatula
- Long, sharp knife
Gluten-Free Tips:
One ingredient that may have some cross contamination is the chocolate. Guittard brand is gluten-free.
You will get the best results by using a digital kitchen scale and weighing your ingredients, especially when you are baking.
All recommended ingredients are gluten-free as of the writing of this article. Always check to be sure the products haven’t changed and are still safe to consume.
The World's Easiest Fudge (Gluten-Free)
This is the World's Easiest Fudge - no fuss, no muss, and ready in a jiffy! Rich, creamy, and perfect for gifts for family and friends, this is a recipe you should keep on hand to satisfy your chocolate cravings.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (150ml) evaporated milk
- 3 cups (600g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 oz (1-1/2 sticks; 170g) salted butter, cubed
- 8 oz (227g) semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 4 oz (113g) unsweetened chocolate, chopped (or more semisweet chips)
- 1 (7 oz; 199g) jar Marshmallow Crème/Fluff
- 1 cup (113g) chopped nuts, optional
Instructions
- Thoroughly butter an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan. Line it with parchment paper cut to 8-inches wide by about 14-inches long (20x36cm). You want the parchment to hang over two of the edges to create a sling, which helps you lift the candy out of the pan later. Butter the parchment to guarantee easy release.
- In a large (about 4-quart; 3.78 L) saucepan with tall straight sides, stir together the evaporated milk, sugar, and vanilla until the sugar is completely moistened with no lumps remaining and the milk is fully incorporated. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan being sure it is not touching the bottom of the pan.
- Add the butter and bring to a boil over medium-high heat stirring often so the mixture doesn't scorch on the bottom of the pan. Once the candy is at a full boil, you can reduce the heat to medium, just be sure to keep the candy at a full boil. Continue stirring frequently until the mixture reaches 234°F (112°C) the soft-ball stage on a candy thermometer. NOTE: Making candy requires a reliable thermometer for accuracy. The temperature will rise quickly at the beginning and then will slow down but continue rising steadily. Keep a close eye on it!
- Once the candy reaches 234°F (112°C), remove the pan from the heat and remove the thermometer. Add the chocolate and marshmallow. Let it sit for a minute to start melting the chocolate, then briskly stir until the chocolate and marshmallow are fully melted and the mixture is smooth with no streaks. Stir in the nuts if using.
- Pour the candy into your prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula, pushing the mixture into the corners. Set aside to cool at room temperature for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, run a knife along the two edges that are not covered with the parchment. Then use the parchment sling to lift the solid fudge from the pan and set it on a cutting board. Use a very sharp long knife to cut into cubes and serve. Store in an airtight container or wrap in individual pieces for gifts.
Recipe found at www.theheritagecook.com
Notes
One ingredient that may have some cross contamination is the chocolate. Guittard in one brand that is gluten-free.
You will get the best results by using a digital kitchen scale and weighing your ingredients, especially when you are baking or making candy.
All recommended ingredients are gluten-free as of the writing of this article. Always check to be sure the products haven’t changed and are still safe to consume.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
64Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 43Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 0g
The nutritional information for recipes on this site is calculated by online tools and is merely an estimate. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
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Ansh !
My oven isn’t fixed yet. It’s my daughter’s birthday. So this will be cooking. She loves fudge.
Jane Bonacci
So sorry about your oven, but this is a great option. Hope your daughter has a wonderful celebration! <3
Katrina
I’m like you, I love and dream about fudge. The refined sugar free kind does not compare. I won’t/can’t make it as my husband doesn’t like fudge. Rude. But then I’d eat too much. The boys aren’t even crazy for it. Sigh. Now I want fudge.
Jane Bonacci
The Nerve! ha ha ha – sorry about the cravings now, sure wish we lived closer because I would totally share with you! <3