Smooth, creamy, velvety and so, so good. My Favorite Homemade Fudge is my go-to fudge recipe. It turns out perfectly every single time I make it.
♡THE BEST OF 12 DAYS OF SUGAR – DAY 12♡
MY FAVORITE HOMEMADE FUDGE
It’s the last day of 12 Days of Sugar. It’s been fun to spotlight some of my favorites over the years. For Day 12 we’re talking fudge. It’s the best fudge ever. I shared this recipe back in 2015 and it is still my favorite fudge ever and has been ever since my aunt shared the recipe with me probably 20 years ago. It’s smooth, creamy and absolutely perfect. Feel free to add nuts or chopped candy bars.
(Original post . . .)
On the 7th Day of Sugar my true love gave to me Homemade Fudge . . . which is a really good thing because I happen to love fudge (are you
surprised?) Buuuut I’m kind of a fudge snob. I like my fudge to be creamy and on the softer side, not all dry and crumbly like some fudge I’ve had before.
I most definitely love it without nuts. . .nuts do not belong in fudge! I will occasionally pour half the fudge in the pan and then on one end sprinkle some chopped Butterfinger or Reese’s peanut butter cups, then spread the remaining fudge over the top. Sooo good!. But most of the time, I just like plain old fudge. . . smooth, creamy, velvety fudge.
This has been my go-to recipe for years. I got it years ago from my Aunt who got it from her friend. It turns out perfect every, single time. It’s silky, smooth, creamy and just melts in your mouth.
I happen to know a few people who don’t rank fudge at the top of their favorite’s list which I just don’t get. But hey, that’s ok, I’ll cut them some slack.
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My Favorite Homemade Fudge
- Total Time: 52 minute
Ingredients
- 18 oz chocolate chips (half milk & half semi-sweet)
- 8 oz of miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup butter
- pinch of salt
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 4 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- Lightly butter a 9×13 glass dish. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer (or large mixing bowl) combine chocolate chips, marshmallows, butter and pinch of salt. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine evaporated milk and sugar. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to medium high and continue stirring until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Boil for about 10 to 12 minutes. At this point, I start checking for the softball stage (I always check mine in the cold water test). I like it to be at a firm softball stage.
- Remove from heat and pour over chocolate chip mixture in mixing bowl. Add vanilla and beat on high speed until mixture is well combined.
- Pour into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Put in a cool place until it’s set up. I usually let mine set up overnight and then keep it stored in my cold storage room.
Notes
- It’s hard to give an exact time it takes to achieve the softball stage. Because depending on the heaviness of the pan you’re using and your stove, it will vary. I typically cook it for about 12 minutes.
- Make sure you use good quality chocolate chips, like Ghiradelli, Guittard or Nestles. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, just “guestimate” based on the size packages of chocolate chips and marshmallows. If you like nuts in your fudge, then go ahead and add some to the bowl with the chocolate chips.
- I like to test mine using the cold water test. I just plop a little bit of the hot sugar mixture into a cup of ice water and let it set for a few seconds, then check it with my fingers by rolling it into a ball. I take it off the stove when it reaches a firm softball.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-12 minutes
- Category: Candy
Originally posted December 7, 2015
Jodi, that fudge is amazing looking. It really does look creamy and moist. I also don’t like it when fudge is too hard and it falls apart when you cut it. I am wondering if you could use all semi-sweet chocolate instead of half milk chocolate. Have you ever made it that way or do you really recommend half and half. I would love to try this for the holidays and it makes a nice, big pan.
Teresa, yes you could use all semi-sweet. My aunt makes it with all semi-sweet and it’s delicious! Just make sure you use good quality chocolate chips, it really makes a difference. Let me know how it turns out for you. Happy Holidays!
I love this recipe. I’m going to cut a caramel fudge that I made yesterday. This being my third attempt. I used a piping bag and pipped the caramel into the top of the fudge and kinda swirled it with a tooth pick. Looks good. Now hoping the fudge is the same as when I made it a week ago. That was the second time as the first didn’t work at the 8-11 minutes. To reach the firm softball stage takes up to 30 minutes, if not more. That’s up to 240 degrees but I cooked mine about 236. My question being, how would I convert this to say a peanut butter fudge. Would I have to kinds swirl that in too? I wouldn’t want to alter the consistency of the fudge in anyway. I love the creaminess it has versus so many other fudge I have had.
I do apologize about my typo. I found it after I submitted. I guess my first proofread wasn’t good enough. 🙂
If you want this to be a chocolate peanut butter fudge, then you could just substitute half of the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips, but if you want it to be straight peanut butter fudge, I have a recipe for that on my site. It’s so simple to make and is amazing! Here is the link: https://www.5boysbaker.com/peanut-butter-fudge-12-days-of-sugar-day-2/
I just made this. I was so nervous but I think it turned out. So excited to eat it all.
Yay! I hope it turned out. Watch out, because it’s amazing!
When should the vanilla be added?
Hi Ali, the vanilla is added in after it boils, just like it says in step 3 of the instructions. Hope you love this.
I must be blind. I have the same question about the vanilla. I’ve read step 3 several times and can’t find where it says to add vanilla.
Hey Jen, you’re not blind. I forgot to list where you add the vanilla. Thanks for catching that and it’s fixed now. Happy holidays!