Author: This old-fashioned homemade fudge is the best easy chocolate fudge recipe you’ll ever find! Perfect for Christmas or just because, it’s made with dark chocolate and marshmallows for a smooth and creamy texture that the whole family will love!
Also known as fantasy fudge, this is a classic, intensely chocolate fudge that will satisfy even the biggest chocolate fan!
Every year since I was three years old, I’ve made this fudge recipe during the Christmas season, the one my grandfather taught me when I was little. He taught me the secret to perfect, creamy, smooth fudge.
Every year, I would stand over the boiling pot of ingredients and watch my grandfather patiently stir the sugar, butter, and milk to silky perfection, occasionally taking my turn.
I remember him holding the large pot so I could stir until my little arms got tired, then he would take over. Every year, we would take turns mixing in the chocolate and marshmallows, then scraping down the pan.
Every year until he passed away in 2015. And even though he’s not here anymore, the tradition lives on.
Now, I get to stand shoulder to shoulder with his namesake, my son, and continue this sweet (pun intended) tradition!
What a blessing! I hope you enjoy this homemade fudge recipe as much as we do!
This is one of the family recipes featured in my From Scratch Holiday Cookbook, if you’d like a copy in a physical cookbook!
Homemade Chocolate Fudge (Fantasy Fudge)
Packed with flavor and a silky smooth texture, this chocolate fudge is a classic candy recipe that can be made all year round, but is especially delicious during the holiday season!
You can also stir a square of this fudge into a mug of hot milk for a decadent hot chocolate!
Ingredients
Here is a quick look at the ingredients for this recipe. They are very simple, but they come together to make something truly magical! The full recipe with all the measurements is available at the end of the post.
- Sugar – White sugar is required for this recipe. Coconut sugar and other alternative sugars do not work well. If you want an amazing fudge that doesn’t use any processed sugar, check out this maple-sweetened chocolate fudge recipe instead!
- Butter – We use salted butter because that’s what we keep on hand, however, you can use unsalted instead without any issues!
- Milk – Any type of milk will work, but make sure it’s unsweetened and unflavored to avoid changing the flavor of the finished fudge.
- Chocolate Chips – We have used everything from semi-sweet to dark chocolate in this recipe and they have all been amazing! Use your favorite type of chocolate chips for the best experience. If you don’t have a preference, then dark chocolate chips are our recommendation.
- Marshmallows – While store-bought marshmallows will work just fine, making your own marshmallows from scratch is easy and makes this recipe even more special!
- Vanilla Extract – Use whatever vanilla extract you have on hand. If you want to make your own vanilla, the process is simple and deepens the flavor profile even more!
Tips for the Best Homemade Fudge
Over the years, I’ve found that a few things really do make the difference between a decent fudge and an amazing fudge recipe!
So, I thought I’d share them with you!
Tip One:
Use a large metal spoon and stir with the back of it. I know it sounds weird, I know it doesn’t make sense, but trust me. I’ve been trying to figure out a way around this tip for years!
My grandfather insisted it made the fudge insanely creamy, and he was right! Whenever I forego this tip, I regret it with the finished product.
Tip Two:
Homemade marshmallows make the fudge a little lighter and less dense, but you can also use store-bought marshmallows or even marshmallow cream in equal parts if you don’t want to make your own marshmallows.
I like making my own marshmallows for this because I can then use honey or maple syrup and reduce the processed sugar in the overall fudge recipe.
Tip Three:
Don’t waste the leftover fudge in your pan! After you pour the fudge into the buttered dish, there will always be some left over.
Scrap it all down and make hot chocolate with it instead! And if you need more chocolate fudge to make enough hot chocolate for the whole family, a one-inch square of fudge is the perfect amount for 8 ounces of hot milk!
Even More Holiday Dessert Recipes
Homemade Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
- 3 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup butter
- 2/3 cup milk
- 12 ounces dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup marshmallows (we use homemade)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract (we use homemade)
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 pan.
- In a large, heavy saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and milk. Heat on medium, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
- Bring mixture to boil, boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Use a large spoon and stir evenly, remembering to scrap the bottom as you stir.
- Removed from heat. Stir in chocolate chips until fully melted. The back of a large metal spoon works best, and makes the fudge extra creamy!
- Add marshmallows and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined and smooth.
- Pour fudge into greased pan and allow to cool before cutting into squares (about an hour).
Notes
Ingredients
Here is a quick look at the ingredients for this recipe. They are very simple, but they come together to make something truly magical!- Sugar – White sugar is required for this recipe. Coconut sugar and other alternative sugars do not work well. If you want an amazing fudge that doesn’t use any processed sugar, check out this maple-sweetened chocolate fudge recipe instead!
- Butter – We use salted butter because that’s what we keep on hand, however, you can use unsalted instead without any issues!
- Milk – Any type of milk will work, but make sure it’s unsweetened and unflavored to avoid changing the flavor of the finished fudge.
- Chocolate Chips – We have used everything from semi-sweet to dark chocolate in this recipe and they have all been amazing! Use your favorite type of chocolate chips for the best experience. If you don’t have a preference, then dark chocolate chips are our recommendation.
- Marshmallows – While store-bought marshmallows will work just fine, making your own marshmallows from scratch is easy and makes this recipe even more special!
- Vanilla Extract – Use whatever vanilla extract you have on hand. If you want to make your own vanilla, the process is simple and deepens the flavor profile even more!
Nutrition
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I love this recipe! Simple, and doesn’t require having evaporated milk or marshmallow cream on hand, which I don’t. I made it according to your recipe with no alterations. Perfect! I would suggest a good quality dark chocolate chips rather than store brand. I even took your tip about making a cup of hot chocolate from the scrapings left in the pot. Bonus!
Everyone wanted more ?
Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad y’all loved it Kathy!! Thanks for the awesome feedback!
Hi, we in Germany really don’t have a variety of choc. chips. If you are lucky you will find one kind. Can I substitute with reg. Chocolate and if so what kind do I need to use and is it the same amount?
Thanks
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia! You can use any sweetened or dark chocolate for this recipe. It doesn’t have to be chocolate chips specifically, those are just easy to find here. So, if you wanted to use a dark chocolate baking bar and chop it up roughly, so it will melt easily, then that will work just fine!
The amount of chocolate needed would be the same :)
I have an even better receipt. In a glass measure cup pour a 2 cup bag of Toll House choc chips. Then add 1 regular can ;Eagle Brand Sweetened Condence Milk. Put in microwave for 3 full min. stir half way thru. Pull out of microwave and add 1 tsp of vanilla and stir. Pour into an 8″ cake pan, round or square. And put in fridge to set. I often double this receipt. And Eagle Brand has come out with fat free. And no one can tell. It is creamy and really great flavor and it done in 3 minutes.