Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (2024)

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Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (1) Rebekah 0 Comments

Easy no-fail chocolate fudge recipe with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and evaporated milk! It really does only take a few minutes to make the best, smooth, creamy fudge!

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Easy 5 minute fudge recipe is called this because you boil the candy ingredients for 5 minutes! This foolproof fudge recipe is the one my mom learned in Home economics class about 60 years ago! Of course, she would always add nuts. I don’t because of certain nut-free dessert eaters in my house.

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Easy 5 minute fudge recipe is definitely a fudge for beginners to make. There is no messing around with soft ball, hard ball candy stages. This chocolate fudge recipe does not require a candy thermometer! Just set the timer when you begin boiling the sugar, evaporated milk, butter, salt and marshmallows.

Boiling the marshmallows is imperative!

Yes, you boil the marshmallows in this recipe, don’t just stir them in at the end. This is what will create the true fudge consistency!!! The candy mixture will turn a magnificent brown color and you may get scared that you’re burning your fudge. But, don’t worry, this is normal and part of what makes this easy fudge recipe taste like authentic complicated chocolate fudge!

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Using marshmallows and chocolate chips will always ensure a perfect fudge texture! By adding the chocolate chips after removing the candy mixture from the heat, you will prevent the chocolate from seperating and turning waxy!

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Trust me on this recipe! It really is the best easy fudge recipe out there! I have tried many different fudge recipes. Most of them turn out sometimes and flop sometimes. This easy fudge recipe is a no-fail, simple, tested and tried favorite!

Chocolate fudge with marshmallows makes one of the best Christmas gifts ever! Be prepared by making at least a double batch! Although, it’s best to make 2 seperate batches, just to make it easier to handle if you want double the fudge.

Marshmallows in Fudge!?!

When you add marshmallows to your fudge, you are guaranteeing a smooth and creamy fudge! Why? Because the egg whites and gelatin in marshmallows coat the sugar crystals as they form! Just another cool scientific cooking fact.

Why You Will LOVE Easy 5-Minute Fudge Recipe!

  • Easy no-fail recipe!
  • Fudge tastes like traditional old fashioned fudge.
  • Don’t need a candy thermometer!
  • Great for Christmas or other gifts!
  • Favorite treat of all ages!
  • Do not need a chemistry degree to make!
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History of Fudge

The history of Fudge making is another one of those murky food histories. There is no for-sure record of how fudge came to be. One theory is that fudge is a product of a mistake. In the 1800s, a candy maker from Baltimore messed up a batch of French caramels. One of the first written records of fudge was from 1892. A letter was written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, when she was a student at Vassar College. In her letter she described how a cousin of a classmate made and sold fudge for $0.40/lb. Fudge shops started to show up around America from the late 1800s and are still going strong today!

Make some Chocolate Fudge for National Fudge Day on June 16!!

Variations

  • You can add your favorite chopped nuts.
  • You could use white chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips.
  • Can add toffee bits right before pouring.
  • Can put coconut down in the pan before pouring the fudge in.
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Ingredients for Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe

  • Evaporated milk, very important that you don’t use condensed. The can will say evaporated!
  • Butter, I use salted butter for the best flavor.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Salt
  • Marshmallows, large or small, these are boiled in the candy mixture. The mini marshmallows do melt quicker but either size is fine. And no, marshmallow creme or fluff will not work in this fudge recipe!
  • Vanilla extract
  • Chocolate chips, I use semi-sweet for the best chocolate fudge taste! Make sure that your chocolate chips have only these ingredients: Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin,natural Flavour.I actually use No Name semi sweet chocolate chips and they work fine. No need to be buying some expensive name that contains the exact same ingredients as the store brand. I really did compare ingredients in the no name and other expensive brands and they are NO DIFFERENT!! For real! There are imitation chocolate chips (healthy version) but they will have all kinds of different ingredients than the “real mccoy”.

How to Make Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe

1.Line a 9″x13″ pan with parchment paper and measure all ingredients out before starting.

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2. In a medium large, heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the evaporated milk, butter, sugar, salt, and marshmallows on high. Stir constantly until boiling.

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3. Turn down to medium heat and boil for 5 minutes.

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4. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously until the fudge is no longer shiny.

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5. Pour into the prepared pan and cool thoroughly.

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6. Once the fudge is completely cooled and firm. Take it out of the pan and cut into 60-80 small squares.

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For recommended Items to help you make this recipe, see my Amazon Shop.

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Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (17)
Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (18)

Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe

Easy 5 minute fudge recipe is called this because you boil the candy ingredients for 5 minutes! There is no messing around with soft ball, hard ball candy stages. This chocolate fudge recipe does not require a candy thermometer! Just set the timer when you begin boiling the sugar, evaporated milk, butter, salt and marshmallows.

Author:RebekahCooking Method:Stove-topCuisine:AmericanCourses:Dessert, SnackRecipe Keys:HomemadeSweets

Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (21)

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Prep Time10 minCook Time10 minRest Time1 hourTotal Time1 hr 20 minsDifficulty:BeginnerServings:60Calories:92Best Season:Winter

Ingredients

Instructions

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How to Make Easy 5 Minute Fudge

  1. Line a 9"x13" pan with parchment paper and measure all ingredients out before starting.

    Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (22)
  2. In a medium large, heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the evaporated milk, butter, sugar, salt, and marshmallows on high. Stir constantly until boiling.

    Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (23)
  3. Turn down to medium heat and boil for 5 minutes.

    Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (24)
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously until the fudge is no longer shiny.

    Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (25)
  5. Pour into the prepared pan and cool thoroughly.

    Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (26)
  6. Once the fudge is completely cooled and firm. Take it out of the pan and cut into 60-80 small squares.

    Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (27)

Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (28)

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 square

Servings 60

Amount Per Serving
Calories 92kcal
Calories from Fat 25kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2.8g5%
Sodium 41mg2%
Potassium 15mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 16g6%
Dietary Fiber 0.6g3%
Sugars 14.69g
Protein 0.8g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

  • Be sure to use a larger pan than you think you might need.
  • Use a heavy bottomed pan to avoid scorching your fudge.
  • For the easiest cutting, lift the parchment paper out of the pan with the fudge.
  • Completely cool before cutting the fudge. You can put it in the refrigerator to chill faster.
  • Try not to stir once the sugar mixture is boiling.
  • Be very sure to use evaporated milk, not condensed milk!
Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe - Tested, Tried and Tasty Food (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

Why won't my 2 ingredient fudge set? ›

Why won't my 2-ingredient fudge set? If your fudge isn't setting, it might be due to underheating the mixture or not chilling it long enough.

Why didn't my fudge get hard? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft.

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

In both cases, sugar and cream must be brought to a boil by gently stirring, then—and this is very important—refrain from stirring again throughout the rest of the cooking process.

What not to do when making fudge? ›

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Candy Shop-Worthy Fudge and Caramels
  1. Using the Wrong Pan. All candy and confections start by melting sugar. ...
  2. Stirring the Sugar. ...
  3. Not Using a Candy Thermometer. ...
  4. Leaving Out the Parchment Paper Lining. ...
  5. Skipping the Cooking Spray. ...
  6. Scraping the Pot. ...
  7. Using a Cold Knife to Slice.
Dec 16, 2015

How to fix failed fudge? ›

Fixing Fudge
  1. Scrape the fudge back into a large saucepan and add 1 1/2 cups of water.
  2. Stir the fudge over low heat until it dissolves. ...
  3. Increase the heat to medium and bring it to a boil, washing down the sides of the pan frequently with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming.
Jan 5, 2020

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

Can I reboil fudge that didn'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.

Why is my fudge not setting condensed milk? ›

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. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

Why is my sugar not melting in my fudge? ›

It might be that you haven't dissolved all the sugar before boiling the fudge mixture. It could be that there just wasn't enough fluid or fat to enable the sugar to dissolve or it might even be that the fudge wasn't beaten long enough or hard enough.

What makes fudge firmer? ›

Too cooked

This fudge was cooked to a temperature of 118 °C (244 °F). At this temperature, the sugar is too concentrated and there is not enough water left to form syrup around sugar crystals. The result is hard and brittle fudge.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

Can I freeze fudge to make it set? ›

Do not freeze the fudge to set it. Best way is to just be patient for a couple hours and set it in the fridge. If your fudge hasn't set, then you've gone wrong somewhere else. Make sure to use the parchment paper to line your pan otherwise it might be quite tricky to remove the fudge.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

Can you mess up fudge? ›

If your fudge is tough, hard, or grainy, then you may have made one of several mistakes: You may have overcooked it, beaten it too long, or neglected to cool it to the proper temperature.

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