A long-ago friend of mine was well-known for her fabulous desserts. Notably, she had the best fudge recipe ever. Seriously. She was kind enough to share it with me years ago, and I’ve been using this recipe ever since. You know those fudge booths at the fair where they charge one million dollars for a half pound? Hubby insists on breaking our bank every time he has the opportunity, then proceeds to say, “yours is better.” My kids concur.
Another friend, after listening me wax poetic about my wonderful fudge recipe, scoffed, saying this was no different than the recipe on the back of the marshmallow fluff jar. (Hi Chris!) Oh, but it is, I told him. Try it. He did, and for the past half-dozen or so years, he whips up a batch of this fudge recipe, and considers it the kickoff of holiday season.
This recipe makes about five pounds of fudge, so you’ll have plenty to share and still have some left for yourself.
Andrea’s Fudge Recipe
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips (these are fair trade)
- 1 cup butter
- 4½ cups cane sugar (I prefer organic)
- 2 cups homemade marshmallow fluff (or 1- 7 oz. jar marshmallow creme)
- 1 -12 oz. can evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons vanilla
- 1-2 cups chopped nuts (optional)
Put chocolate chips, butter, and marshmallow cream in a large bowl. Set aside. In large (7-8 quart) stock pot, bring milk and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Continue stirring frequently for exactly eight minutes. Pour hot mixture over ingredients in bowl. Stir until well mixed, then beat with an electric mixer until fudge begins to hold its shape. Beat in vanilla. Stir in nuts if you like them. Pour fudge into a buttered 13″ x 9″ pan and refrigerate until solid.
Notes from me:
- I use a 13″ x 9″ plus an 8″ x 8″ pan – using only the one makes a really deep fudge; too deep for me.
- After I grease the pans, I place a piece of waxed paper in the pans so that the edges extend out of the pan on two sides. When the fudge is ready to cut, use the wax paper to help lift the slab out of the pan and flip it onto a cutting board for easy cutting.
Enjoy!
I’m going to try this Saturday. Looks tasty!
Thanks for this! I made fudge for Thanksgiving and it didn’t turn out well. I needed a new recipe and there it was in my inbox.
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I’m not usually a fudge eater, but I must admit, this sounds too good to pass on!
My FIL makes a very similar recipe, except he makes his in the microwave!
Oh, I love fudge. I might have to give this one a try!
I’m checking back in to report. I made this fudge last week and it was sooo popular I’m making it again today. To quote my hubby, “I don’t usually like fudge, but this is really good.”
We already tried mixing in mini marshmallows and walnuts for rocky road and I did cranberries and almonds in another. Today I’m planning on dividing the batter into three and doing another rocky road, a chile-ancho batch and then giving my kids free reign on deciding on the other.
Love that it converted your hubby! And the chile-ancho version? You might have to share the details with ME. Thanks for reporting back.
How did you do the chili fudge? I would love to try that.
I’ve made fudge with marshmallow cream and agree it’s absolutely the best. Hmmm… haven’t made any yet this Christmas, though…
Yummy! I’m bookmarking your recipe for later use 🙂
Like I need another excuse to make fudge! YUMMY!
Yay! I knew today was a good day!
Yay! I knew today was a good day!
I can vouch for this recipe. My kids (and me too) LOVE it. It’s chocolatey, creamy, and oh-so-addicting. Thanks for sharing!
Completely agree. Your fudge recipe rocks!
My kids love fudge! Thanks for providing the recipe. Goin to try this!
My FIL has a similar recipe, which he makes in the microwave. Fudge is fun but I can only ever really eat a tiny piece of it!
I Had Never Made Fudge. Always Thought It Would Be Too Hard. Tried This Today, It Was Easy To Do And Tasted Great! Thank You!
I make a similar recipe, but use 1 cup whole milk, 4 cup chocolate chips, and 2 sticks of butter. The rest of the ingredients and proportions are the same, but only boil 3 minutes. I am eager to try the homemade marshmallow fluff.
I’m not real sure what I did wrong. I followed the directions to a ‘t’ but my fudge didn’t set up completely. It’s a bit too soft (almost like refrigerated frosting). When it finally started to boil it grew quick and almost boiled out of the pan. So I turned down the heat a little so it didn’t get out of control. I’m guessing that’s where I messed up. I did boil for the full 8minutes. Anyone else have that problem?
I haven’t. That 8 minutes of boiling is usually sufficient, but boiling it a bit longer should result in a firmer fudge. Did it not come together in the mixing stage? Sometimes it takes awhile!
When it says “heavy stock pot”, take it seriously! My pot was too small, and now we have every window and door open to clear the smoke. My cell phone screen cleaned up well, but the ceramic cooktop will take some elbow grease. The good news is, the fudge is the best, smoothest ever! I will make again, but I will follow the directions!
Oh no! After all that, I’m glad you like it! (I just edited the instructions to make them even clearer.)
How much did this recipe make? I need to make a bunch for teachers at my daughters daycare.
Thanks
The original name of the recipe is “Five Pounds of Fudge.” I don’t think it makes 5 pounds, but it makes a fair amount. I get a 11″ x 17″ pan plus an 8″ x 8″.
I just bought all of the ingredients and can’t wait to make this fudge. I do have one question – when stirring the milk and sugar for 8 mins, is the heat still on medium-high?
Thanks so much!
I like to use peanut butter it is so creamy, also try white chocolate. I’ve done a lot of fudge it’s a big hit in family
Is that 4 cups of sugar or 4 1/2 or 4- 1/2 cups which would really be 2 cups…it’s just a little confusing for me right there
Thanks
4 and 1/2 cups
4.5
Help! I made this fudge and while the flavor was so good there was a gritty texture that ended up making the fudge crunchy!
It sounds almost like something crystallized. Was there a lot of crunchy? Or just a bit? Possibly the sugar at the edge of the pan that got hot (and not stirred) crystallized?
There was crunch throughout the fudge, and you could hear the crunch as you chewed
Is the cup of butter, melted?
Nope. The hot ingredients will melt it!
Got a question. My mom has always made fudge and she tells me you can only make it on a beautiful sunny day or it will not firm up like it needs to. Does the same go for this fudge?
Hunh. I’ve never heard this one. I’ve never paid much attention, but I made this for years in northern California in December, when beautiful sunny days are sporadic.
Do you have to store in the refrigerator?
I do.
How long does mixing with electric mixer usually take?
It can take 15 minutes or so, but it depends on your household temp.
OMG THIS IS THE BEST FUDGE EVER!!! MAKE IT NOW! DO NOT HESITATE!!! NOW!!!
LOL. Right?? I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Whoa! I just made this and I have one word “Heavenly” At first I thought you were nuts using a mixer but I can see why now. Thank you for sharing! I will be definitely be doing more for gifts.
I’m making this tomorrow but I’m using granulated Dominos sugar it says natural on it but it’s not the brownish cane sugar. Will it still work correctly?
Absolutely. My personal preference is to use cane sugar. Sugar that’s not identified as cane sugar is most likely made from sugar beets that are likely genetically modified. But any granulated sugar will work.
OMGOODNESS!!! This is wonderful!! I made it today..sleeting and snowing outside and it was great. It reminds me of the fudge I made as a kid. We had to beat it by hand until the candy lost its gloss. This is sooooo much easier. It did take about 15+min with a mixer. Next time I’m using my kitchen aid. Thanks!
Oh my god! Absolutely the BEST fudge I have ever made. Can’t stop eating it. lol thank you!