This simple yet delicious Chocolate Fudge requires only a few ingredients and minimal effort. To make it, all you need is some chocolate chips, condensed milk, butter, and a pinch of salt.
Simply melt the chocolate and butter together, stir in the condensed milk and salt, and let it cool and set. The result? A rich and creamy fudge that melts in your mouth with every delectable bite. Trust me, once you try this easy chocolate fudge recipe, you’ll be hooked!
Understand Your Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients directly affects the outcome of your fudge. High-quality chocolate chips and pure vanilla extract make a significant difference in flavor. When it comes to sweetened condensed milk, brand quality can impact the texture and sweetness of your fudge. Experiment with different brands to find your preference.
Consistent Low Heat: Melting chocolate with sweetened condensed milk requires patience and a gentle touch. Use low heat to avoid scorching the chocolate, which can create a grainy texture in your fudge. A consistent low heat allows the chocolate to melt evenly, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
Stirring Technique: The key to smooth fudge is constant, gentle stirring. This technique prevents the chocolate from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning. Once the chocolate begins to melt, stir in the vanilla extract to incorporate it thoroughly into the mixture.
Prep Your Pan: Lining your pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper is not just for easy removal, but it also helps in achieving clean cuts. Make sure the lining extends over the edges of the pan to lift the fudge out easily once it’s set.
Cutting Perfect Pieces: For evenly sized pieces of fudge, allow the fudge to set completely before cutting. Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts to ensure smooth edges. If the fudge is too hard to cut, dipping the knife in hot water can make the process easier.
Ingredients Needed for This Recipe
3 cups chocolate chips either semi-sweet or milk chocolate (18.6 ounces) see note 1
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (see note 2)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions for Making This Chocolate Fudge
Cover the baking dish with either aluminum foil or two overlapping pieces of parchment paper arranged in the shape of an X.
Combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan.
Put the pan on the stovetop over medium low heat. Continuously stir the chocolate until it begins to melt. Incorporate the vanilla extract while continuing to stir.
Keep stirring until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture has a smooth consistency and begins to shine.
Put the mixture into the pan that has been prepared. It will have a thick consistency – if it is difficult to pour due to its thickness, don’t worry, you are still doing it correctly. After pouring all of it into the pan, you can shake the pan gently from side to side to help it settle. Alternatively, you can use a rubber spatula to spread it evenly.
Let the fudge fully harden by leaving it on the kitchen counter, which will typically take approximately four hours.
Take out the fudge from the pan and remove the aluminum foil. Trim off the curved edges of the pan. Divide the fudge in half both horizontally and vertically, creating four equally sized squares. Further divide each small square into nine equal pieces by cutting it into three equal parts vertically and horizontally. As a result, you will have 36 equal pieces of fudge.
You can either enjoy immediately or keep it in a sealed container for a maximum of two weeks. (Refer to the post for freezing instructions.)