This homemade fudge recipe tastes exactly like the real, actual, classic See’s fudge recipe! This recipe came from one of my very best friends, Heidi (actually it is her Mom’s recipe – thanks Sue)! She got this from a See’s employee years ago, and it tastes just like the delicious chocolate mixture that comes from the famous candy shop. To make sure, I made a batch, then went to See’s so I could do a side-by-side comparison. Guess what? Everyone who did a taste comparison (a blind comparison I might add) with me agreed that THIS recipe tasted better! This easy fudge recipe makes beautiful gifts for Christmas or birthdays and is a fun treat to make with your kids.
Ingredients in this Fudge Recipe
This chocolate fudge recipe is the easiest, most foolproof recipe ever. It comes out smooth every time, never grainy. I have tried other recipes that take much longer to prepare and trust me, it is so unnecessary! You really don’t need more than 15 minutes for perfect fudge! Here’s what you need:
Milk chocolate – I use two 8 ounce Hershey bars broken into pieces.Semi-sweet chocolate chips – 24 ounces (or two bags). I use the Guittard brand but any of your favorites will work.Butter – meltedMarshmallow fluff – one jar (or about 7 ounces)Sugar – yes 4 ½ cups is a lot. But life is all about having little treats, am I right?Evaporated milk – NOT sweetened condensed milkNuts- completely optional. Chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or pistachios all work great with this recipe.
Tips For Making This Fudge Recipe
Follow the recipe – This might seem like a no-brainer, but with fudge, you want to be pretty exact. Substitutions do not fare well with this recipe. We have had readers that have swapped ingredients out or left them out, and they have been disappointed with the results.Stir and scrape the sides when mixing – You want to get all that chocolate melted and smooth. Be sure to use a heavy rubber scraper spatula to help you accomplish this. Make sure to scrape way down to the bottom of the bowl to incorporate it all. Make sure your fudge is completely smooth before pouring it in. You also want to stir until the sheen is gone. It will become thick and harder to stir, which is a good thing!Use parchment paper – For easy removal of the fudge from the pan, butter the baking dish, lay the parchment paper in, and then butter the parchment paper. Avoid using aluminum foil. It rips easily and can stick to the fudge.Keep it cool – For this fudge recipe, you will want to keep it in the refrigerator so it keeps its form. Keeping it at room temperature will make the fudge too soft and the texture won’t be right.Pour it in quickly, then leave it alone – Pour the hot fudge into your prepared pan. Quickly smooth it into an even layer while it’s still hot. It will begin to set fast in the square baking dish and it won’t look as smooth if you keep running your spatula over it. Also, try not to bump your pan after it gets set. It will cause ripples in the fudge (I learned this the hard way). Try to quickly set it somewhere it won’t get bumped or moved until it has cooled enough to put it in the fridge.Be patient – Wait until the fudge sets before cutting. You will get nice, perfect squares if you wait until it has completely cooled through.Slice before serving – Again, be patient. For fresh, creamy fudge, cut it just before you serve it. Fudge tends to dry out over time. Cut it into 1-inch squares just before you eat it. If you must cut it earlier, be sure to keep the cut pieces in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
If the Fudge Doesn’t Set
The reason I love this recipe is because it isn’t as temperamental as other fudge recipes. The reason it doesn’t get grainy is because you don’t cook the chocolate on the stove and that keeps it from getting too hot. Pouring the hot liquid over the chocolate is JUST enough to melt it and get it to the temperature you want without overheating. That being said, sometimes the hot liquid you pour over it doesn’t get hot enough, causing the fudge to not set properly. You want to make sure you get a nice rolling boil when you heat the sugar and evaporated milk. Make sure you are heating this in a LARGE enough pot because it will bubble up and expand. You WANT this to expand to be a rolling boil so it gets hot enough to pour over your chocolate, otherwise it won’t get up to the right temperature and it won’t set right. Just watch it closely and stir constantly so it doesn’t burn. Another factor that can cause your fudge to not set is humidity. If it is a very humid day when you make your fudge, it may have difficulty setting.
Frequently Asked Questions About this Fudge Recipe
Let’s be honest, fudge can be intimidating! Before you get started, here are some questions we are frequently asked that may help ease some of your concerns. You can do it! Read More: 25+ Christmas Dessert Ideas
More Must Try Fudge Recipes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl: This Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge swirl is quite possibly heaven on earth. Think Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in fudge form.Mint Chocolate Fudge: A delicious, minty spin on our classic fudge recipe!Marshmallow Rocky Road Fudge: Walnuts and marshmallows are added to this fudge for those who love a little crunch!Hot Fudge Sauce: Perfect for ice cream sundaes or to spoon over your favorite desserts.German Chocolate Fudge: You are going to love this rich, smooth German chocolate fudge topped with a chewy coconut topping!Peanut Butter Fudge Puddles: Peanut Butter Fudge Puddles are a chewy peanut butter cookie cup with a chocolatey fudge filling.Caribbean Coconut Fudge Bars: These Caribbean Coconut Fudge Bars can’t be beat! A soft oatmeal cookie crust with chocolate fudge and gooey coconut topping- an instant favorite!
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