3 Ingredient Fudge • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

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It is so easy to make homemade fudge with this 3 Ingredient Fudge recipe! Serve it at a party or pack it in a festive tin as a simple gift!

It costs about $6.56 to make this fudge recipe that makes 24 pieces. That’s only $0.27 per serving!

While looking at fudge recipes, be sure to check out my Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge, my Easy Almond Fudge, and my Butter Pecan Fudge.

3 Ingredient Fudge • Food Folks and Fun (1)

Table of Contents

Quick and Easy Fudge Recipe with Condensed Milk

If you have seven minutes, then you can quickly whip up a batch of this fudge to give as a last-minute gift, to add to your holiday trays, or to get your chocolate fix to help you survive the holiday rush!

What’s even better than the tiny amount of time this recipe takes to prep is that it only takes three ingredients to make it! And you most likely already have the ingredients on hand!

This recipe is made with chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. That is it!

The ingredients come together to make a rich and creamy fudge that is full of chocolate flavor.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Fudge ingredients

Per Serving Cost: $0.27

Recipe Cost: $6.56

  • 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips – $3.48
  • (2) 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk – $2.46
  • 2 teaspoonsvanilla extract$0.62

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

3 Ingredient Fudge • Food Folks and Fun (2)

Easy Fudge Recipe variations

  • Peanut Butter Fudge – Use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet and add ½ cup of peanut butter. You do not need to add the vanilla extract.
  • Mint Fudge – Use mint chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet, or add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract in place of the vanilla.
  • Marshmallow Swirl – After pouring the chocolate into the pan, place 4 spoonfuls of marshmallow crème onto the top of the fudge (about ½ cup total). Use a knife to swirl the marshmallow cream into the fudge mixture.
  • Nuts – After the chocolate has melted, stir in ½ – ¾ cup of your favorite chopped nuts, along with the vanilla extract.
  • Oreo Fudge – Break 10-12 Oreos into chunks and mix the pieces into the chocolate mixture.

How to make Fudge with Sweetened Condensed Milk

  1. First, line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. Next, melt the chocolate chip and sweetened condensed milk in a bowl.
  3. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan.
  5. Next, place the baking dish in the fridge for at least three hours to allow time for the fudge to become firm.
  6. Finally, cut the fudge into slices before serving.

3 Ingredient Fudge • Food Folks and Fun (3)

How to store Sweetened Condensed Milk Fudge

SERVE: Slice the fudge into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature for very soft consistency.

STORE: Store the 3 Ingredient Fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

FREEZE: Wrap the fudge in wax paper and then with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will keep in the freezer for about 2 months when frozen this way.

Tools needed for this Easy Fudge Recipe

  • 8×8-inch baking dish
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Rubber Scraper
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3 Ingredient Fudge FAQs

What does vanilla extract do for fudge?

Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the chocolate. So while it is not a necessary ingredient or can be left out, it is not one I recommend skipping, as it adds to the overall flavor of the fudge.

Why is my fudge not hardening?

Typically this happens when the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk do not cook long enough in the microwave. If those two ingredients are not entirely melted, the fudge will not set up correctly while chilling in the fridge.

What can I use if I don’t have vanilla?

You can substitute maple syrup or almond extract in a pinch. Just note that it will slightly alter the taste of the fudge if you use a substitution. Especially if you use almond extract, as it has a more robust flavor than vanilla.

Can I make 3-ingredient fudge on the stove?

This easy fudge can be made using a double boiler. Add an inch or two of water to a pan. Place your double boiler or a heat-safe bowl on top of the pan, ensuring that the water does not touch the bowl. Bring the water to a boil, then turn to low heat to maintain a simmer. Add the chocolate and sweetened condensed milk to the bowl and frequently stir until melted.

What if the top of my fudge is lumpy?

If the top of your fudge is lumpy, you can place your microwave-safe baking dish into the microwave for 30 seconds to reheat the chocolate. Then, remove it from the microwave and work quickly to smooth the surface using a beveled spatula.

Can I use low-fat sweetened condensed milk?

Yes, low-fat or fat-free sweetened condensed milk works fine in this recipe.

Can I use regular milk?

No, this recipe will not work with regular milk. Sweetened condensed milk adds both flavor and texture to the recipe.

How long does fudge take to set?

The time it takes for fudge to set can vary depending on the specific recipe, ingredients used, and environmental factors like temperature and humidity. However, on average, fudge usually takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to set at room temperature.
To determine if your fudge is properly set, you can gently touch the surface with a clean finger. If it has cooled and set, it should feel firm to the touch and not leave any residue on your finger. Keep in mind that fudge can continue to firm up even after it’s been removed from the pan and cut into pieces.
If you’re in a rush, you can place the fudge in the refrigerator to speed up the setting process, but be cautious not to leave it in there for too long, as it can become overly firm or even develop a sugary “bloom” on the surface due to temperature fluctuations.

3 Ingredient Fudge • Food Folks and Fun (5)

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3 Ingredient Fudge • Food Folks and Fun (6)

3.60 from 140 votes

Easy Sweetened Condensed Milk Fudge

Author Jillian – a Food Folks and Fun original!

Recipe Cost $ $6.56

Serving Cost $ $0.27

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 hours hours 7 minutes minutes

24 people

It is so easy to make homemade fudge with this3 Ingredient Fudgerecipe! Serve it at a party or pack it in a festive tin as a simple gift!

Equipment

  • 8×8-inch baking dish

  • measuring cups and spoons

  • Microwave safe-bowl

  • mixing spoon

Ingredients

Instructions

LINE BAKING DISH:

  • Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with a square piece of parchment paper that goes up the sides.

MELT CHOCOLATE:

  • Put the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a medium-sized bowl.

  • Microwave for one minute and then stir well. If the chocolate chips are not yet melted, microwave an additional 30 seconds.

  • Stir in the vanilla extract, then immediately pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

CHILL:

  • Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, until the fudge is fully set and firm.

SLICE AND STORE:

  • Slice the fudge into squares and store it in an airtight container.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 103IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 2mg

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Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe
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Jillian

I’m Jillian, the creator behind Food Folks and Fun. I have over 30 years of experience cooking for others. There’s nothing I love more than cooking for my family. Food is love, and cooking isn’t just putting a meal on a plate: It’s putting a little part of myself into that meal.

3 Ingredient Fudge • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

FAQs

Why won't my 3 ingredient condensed milk fudge set? ›

This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool. Heat in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring well between each to ensure everything is melting evenly.

What can you make with fudge that didn't set? ›

Options for what you can do with your unset fudge:

OPTION 1) Depending on how runny it is, you can either use it as a frosting for cakes, or a sauce for ice-cream. OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed.

How to make a fudge set? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

What happens if I use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk in fudge? ›

Don't Substitute One for the Other

Thus, using condensed milk in a recipe that requires evaporated milk will yield an overly sweet dish.

Why did my homemade fudge not harden? ›

Why has my Fudge not set? The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft.

How do you make fudge creamy and not grainy? ›

A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals. Stirring would help sucrose molecules "find" one another and start forming crystals.

Do you stir fudge when it's boiling? ›

Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

Why shouldn't you stir fudge after it reaches the correct temperature? ›

After cooking, the mixture must cool before being stirred in order to make it crystallize. This cooling period is essential: this is what determines the size of sugar crystals which, remember, should be as tiny as possible. Ideally, the syrup should cool to a temperature of around 43 to 50 °C (110 to 122 °F).

How to make fudge thicker? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

Why does fudge not need to be refrigerated? ›

Fudge is best stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks wrapped up in its original wax paper. NEVER REFRIGERATE your fudge as this will draw out the moisture and leave you with dry, crumbly fudge.

Can you reboil fudge that hasn't set? ›

How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

What is the ball method fudge? ›

According to most recipes, the ingredients of fudge are cooked to what is termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

Why won't my condensed milk fudge set? ›

The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.

Is evaporated milk the same as condensed milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

How do you fix condensed milk fudge that is too soft? ›

To fix soft fudge or hard fudge, simply follow these easy steps: Scrape the fudge back into a large saucepan and add 1 1/2 cups of water. Stir the fudge over low heat until it dissolves. Carefully taste the mixture, as the water probably diluted the flavor.

How do you thicken condensed milk fudge? ›

Beat the mixture until it just loses it's shine and becomes very thick (this should take about 5-10 minutes). The longer you beat once it starts to thicken then the more crumbly the final fudge will be. If you like it smooth - beat it only until comes away from the sides of the pan and sticks well to the spoon.

Why is my homemade condensed milk not thickening? ›

If you find that your condensed milk hasn't thickened, that means that the pan was removed from the heat too early. This can be corrected by returning your mixture to a pan and carefully continuing the heating process.

What makes condensed milk set? ›

au's Digital Food Director, Amira Georgy, said: “It's made of full-cream cow's milk that has been heated to remove some of the water content and, as the name suggests, sugar is added to the reduced milk in order to prolong its shelf life and to give it a thicker consistency.”

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