Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (2024)

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Looking for an easy fudge recipe that will impress your friends and family this Christmas? Look no further! This 3-ingredient recipe is simple to follow and produces a delicious, creamy fudge every time. Serve this fudge at your next holiday gathering and watch it disappear!

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (1)

Right now, my mind is on holiday entertaining. That means all sorts of savory appetizers, festive co*cktails, and decadent desserts are dancing in my head. Because the Christmas season can be a busy and stressful time, I’m all about recipes that impress but are simple and quick to make.

Well, lucky for you, this easy fudge recipe is just the ticket you need!

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

2 Ingredients

3 How to Make

4 Frequently Asked Questions

6 Easy Fudge Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I discovered this fudge recipe about two decades ago, and it’s become a family favorite ever since. There’s a chance you might know of it too since almost everyone seems to have someone in their life who makes this holiday treat. For me, that person is my mom’s friend Kathy.

After so many holiday parties, she taught me her recipe and I’ve been making it ever since!

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (2)

When it comes to whipping up these delicious fudge bites, there are several things I absolutely adore about this recipe:

  • Unlike a lot of fudge recipes, it’s almost impossible to mess up.
  • You only need three basic, easy-to-find ingredients.

It’s so creamy and delicious. Making and eating it should be a crime (but thankfully it’s not!).

Who knew a fudge recipe could be this good!?

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (3)

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this recipe.

  • Candy Melts: To make fudge, you’ll need two different kinds of candy melts. I used both white chocolate and milk chocolate. You will need 14 ounces of each.
  • Peanut Butter: I love to use peanut butter where I can! I used creamy peanut butter to make this Christmas fudge, but you can substitute any type of nut butter.
  • Sugar Cake Decorations: This is optional but adds a festive touch to the fudge. You can find these HERE or in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.

Depending on when you make this homemade fudge, you can decorate it with festive sprinkles, meringues, or other decorations. I decided to go with these beaded Christmas sugar bulbs! It really sets off the holiday vibe.

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (4)

How to Make

It’s super easy to make this dessert. It can even be a fun baking activity to do with kids!

  1. Add candy melts and creamy peanut butter to the top of a double boiler.
    • Tip: I don’t have a double boiler, so I just place a heatproof glass bowl in a saucepan that has a little water in it. Just make sure the bowl doesn’t come in contact with the water.)
  2. Heat and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
  3. Pour fudge into a pan lined with a sheet of parchment paper.
  4. Allow the fudge to set.
    • Tip: Do not refrigerate. It will become way too stiff and lose its smooth and creamy texture.
  5. Share with friends and family and enjoy! I told you it’s nearly impossible to mess this up.

And that’s it, my friends. I like to dress my fudge up with these sugar cake decorations. They make it look more festive, don’t you think? I found the light bulb candies here.

Note: I’ve provided the exact ingredients and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few questions I’ve been asked when I shared this easy fudge recipe.

Can I mix in other toppings when I make this fudge?

Yes, you can! Feel free to add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or other treats. Just make sure that there aren’t any large pieces that will prevent the fudge from setting properly.

Can I melt chocolate chips instead of candy melts?

Yes, but it won’t taste as good and the texture might be different. For the best results, I’d recommend using candy melts.

How long does easy fudge last?

Homemade fudge that is stored at room temperature can last up to four days, although it’s best to keep it in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying. You can also store fudge in the refrigerator for a maximum of two weeks.

Can I freeze easy fudge?

Yes, you can! To freeze easy fudge, wrap it up in a few layers of plastic wrap or place it into an air-tight container. Then pop it into the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, just thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

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That’s pretty much it! Once it’s completely set, cut the fudge into squares (or whatever shape you like. I sometimes cut them into holiday shapes like stars and Christmas trees).

If you want, you can transfer the fudge to a platter or plate with festive liners (just like I did for my Christmas party) and share it with your friends and family!

This easy fudge recipe is simple enough to make for impromptu gatherings, and it looks so festive with the sugar cake decorations.

I hope you enjoyed this easy Christmas fudge recipe! Be sure to let me know how it went in the comments section below! I’m always looking for new ideas to try out.

Happy Holidays!

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More Festive Treats You May Enjoy

  • No-Bake Bourbon Balls
  • Christmas Donuts
  • Frosted Almond Sugar Cookies
  • White Chocolate Puff Corn
  • Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies

I hope you’ll try this delicious and easy fudge recipe. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along onInstagramandTikTokfor daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration onFacebookandPinterest!

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Easy Fudge Recipe

This Easy Fudge Recipe, made with only three ingredients, is the creamiest fudge you will ever taste.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate, christmas, dessert, fudge, holiday

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 48 pieces

Calories: 114kcal

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces white chocolate candy melts
  • 14 ounces milk chocolate candy melts
  • 14 ounces creamy peanut butter
  • sugar cake decorations optional

Instructions

  • Add both candy melts and peanut butter to the top of a double boiler (or to a heatproof glass bowl resting in a saucepan with a couple inches of water in it).

  • Heat the mixture until melted and smooth.

  • Pour the fudge into an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with a sheet of parchment paper. Allow the fudge to set. Do not refrigerate.

  • Once completely set, cut the fudge into squares, and if desired, top with decorative sugar cake decorations. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.

Video

Notes

*I assume that when this recipe was developed, these three items came in 14-ounce packages. However, product sizes have changed over the years. Ultimately, you will need equal amounts of each ingredient. Adjust your pan size accordingly.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (9)
Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (2024)

FAQs

Why won't my 3 ingredient condensed milk fudge set? ›

Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool.

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

How to Make Fudge. The trick to good homemade fudge is to cook the ingredients to the right temperature to form a sugar syrup, and cool the mixture properly so the texture of the fudge turns out smooth and firm, but soft enough to cut. Here's how to make fudge on your stovetop and in your microwave.

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.

What is the process of making fudge? ›

No matter the exact ingredients you use, the fudge-making process will be similar. First, you'll heat the ingredients to dissolve the sugar and create a hom*ogenous mixture. Next, you'll cook the mixture until it thickens. Finally, you'll remove the fudge from the heat, allow it to cool, and then mix thoroughly.

What happens if I use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk in fudge? ›

Don't Substitute One for the Other

Thus, using condensed milk in a recipe that requires evaporated milk will yield an overly sweet dish.

Can I fix fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

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

Can you mess up fudge? ›

Grainy Fudge

The sugars probably crystallized, a common mistake when making candy like fudge or caramel. If the melting sugar splashes onto the sides of the pan, it turns back into crystals and causes the fudge to seize up. To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon.

What makes fudge firmer? ›

Cooking is necessary to dissolve sugar crystals and to evaporate part of the water in the cream. The length of this step has a direct impact on the firmness of the fudge.

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

You should mix the cream, butter, and sugar when making your fudge, but put down the spoon once it has reached its boiling point. Stirring while your sugar mixture is boiling will only form sugar crystals and make your fudge crunchy rather than silky smooth.

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.

Why did my fudge turn out like taffy? ›

If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

What's the main ingredients in fudge? ›

This delicious fudge recipe is easy to make in the microwave with just 3 ingredients: chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter. Add nuts, mini marshmallows, or candy before chilling to make this treat even more decadent, or try peanut butter chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips to make peanut butter fudge.

What is traditional fudge made of? ›

At its simplest, fudge is a dense, soft candy, often made with sugar and dairy products like butter and milk. Nowadays, fudge is usually flavored with chocolate, but you can utilize pretty much any flavor, such as peanut butter, pumpkin, even birthday cake.

What is the ball method fudge? ›

According to most recipes, the ingredients of fudge are cooked to what is termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

How do you fix condensed milk fudge that didn't set? ›

To fix it, you can reheat the fudge mixture over low heat and continue cooking until it reaches the proper temperature. Be sure to use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. Alternatively, you can try to salvage chewy fudge by mixing it into ice cream or using it as a topping for desserts.

Why is my condensed milk fudge not setting? ›

It sounds like your fudge simply wasn't heated enough. Fudge is basically a superconcentrated syrup, and it sets when sugar dissolved in the water (from the butter and milk) comes out of solution as the mixture cools and forms crystals.

Why won t my condensed milk fudge set? ›

The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.

How do you fix condensed milk fudge that is too soft? ›

How to fix soft fudge - Quora. 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.

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