Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (2024)

JUMP TO RECIPE

This tried and true, old fashioned chocolate fudge recipe will never let you down. Never Fail Fudge turns out perfectly rich, smooth and creamy each and every time you make it. Made with chocolate chips, marshmallow fluff and heavy cream, it is never grainy, and always delicious.

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Isn’t it crazy to think that the holidays are just right around the corner? Once that happens, you will see all sorts of recipes for fudge. But I am here today to save you from all of those other unnecessary fudge recipes. I have you covered with this old fashioned Never Fail Fudge Recipe – and it’s the last you’ll ever need.

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Sure – it sounds like I am boasting, and maybe I am a little bit. But it really is that good. And those people tell you that you can only eat fudge at Christmastime, you don’t need that negativity in your life anyway.

This easy fudge recipe here turns out perfect every. single. time. I can attest to that because I have made it a lot. It truly is the best fudge recipe. I promise.

I received free sugar from Imperial Sugar in exchange for writing this post. All opinions are my own.

SOME OF THE ITEMS BELOW CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS; I AM A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES. I AM ALSO AN AFFILIATE FOR OTHER BRANDS. HOWEVER, I ONLY PROMOTE THINGS THAT I LOVE AND THINK YOU WILL LOVE, TOO.FOR MY ENTIRE DISCLOSURE POLICY PLEASECLICK HERE.

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This post is my final chocolate recipe share this week for our group #Choctoberfest . It’s been a delicious week FULL of chocolate recipes and I decided to save this luscious fudge for last.

WHAT IS CHOCTOBERFEST?

#Choctoberfest is an annual recipe-sharing event. As I mentioned, I’m joining other food bloggers from around the world to create delicious chocolate recipes. This year, over 70 bloggers are joining together for a week full of chocolate cakes, pies, cookies, puddings, tarts, candies, and more. You can follow along by searching for the hashtag #Choctoberfest on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

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For this fudge recipe, I used Imperial Sugar. They are always a generous sponsor of this event. Look at the fun measuring cups and baking mat they sent, in addition to a good supply of sugar.

What is Fudge Made Of?

Homemade fudge is a chocolate candy that has been made for over a century. Back in 1880, it became a popular homemade candy due to the fact that you could make homemade fudge with no special tools, and the basic recipe used butter, sugar and milk. All things that were on hand and economical. too.

Over the years, ingredients have changed, some use marshmallow fluff like I do, some use sweetened condensed milk. My chocolate fudge recipe uses heavy cream. Some recipes call for cocoa powder, where this recipe uses chocolate chips.

Using the chocolate chips gives you the ability to make your fudge recipe semi-sweet, as I do, or milk chocolate over even dark chocolate. You could even toss in part peanut butter chips to give it a whole new flavor level.

Ingredients in Never Fail Fudge:

  • sugar
  • cream, milk
  • butter
  • marshmallow cream
  • chocolate chips
  • nuts if desired

In a saucepan over medium heat cook sugar, butter and cream until it reaches medium soft ball stage – 236 degrees F. Be patient. It takes about 30 minutes. Watch closely and stir frequently. Don’t be surprised when it bubbles up. It’s fun! Kind of like a science experiment!

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In the past, I have always used an old candy thermometer. They are so NOT user friendly. This year, life got easier when I used my Thermapen Mk4 . I had no idea that a thermometer like this, that I typically use for meat, would work so well with candy. It’s amazing because it reads almost instantly.

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There was no trying to rig the little clip on the side of the pan, make sure it wasn’t touching the bottom but was in the candy far enough to read…blah blah blah. Every once in awhile I stuck it into the candy mixture to test the temperature. When it read 236 degrees, I removed it from the heat.

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Have your marshmallow cream and your semi-sweet chocolate chips ready to go in.

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Stir the chips and marshmallow cream into the warm mixture.

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From here you will pour it into a 9×13 pan, lined with buttered parchment paper.

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Spread it evenly in the pan. Chill until set.

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Pull up on the ends of the parchment paper and transfer the fudge to a cutting board to cut into squares. I got about 63 pieces of fudge, but I didn’t cut them super small. You could cut them quite small and it would go a long long way.

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This fudge can be made ahead and frozen. It also travels really well. I box it up and place sheets of waxed paper in between the layers.

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^LOVE IT? PIN IT!^

Like I said before, fudge isn’t just for Christmas. I decided to show you just how easy it is to make it for all sorts of holidays.

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Halloween Fudge!

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Christmas Fudge!

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(my personal favorite) Valentine’s Day Fudge!

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Changing up the sprinkles for holidays makes that all pretty easy. Plus, it gives you an excuse to eat fudge year round! 😉

Speaking of fudge, I have several other fudge recipes right here. Nothing like this. but that gives you all sorts of options, right?

An Affair from the Heart Fudge Recipes:

  • Eggnog Fudge
  • Grinch Fudge (white chocolate fudge)
  • Mint Fudge
  • Snickers Candy Bar Fudge
  • Caramel, Toffee, Pecan Fudge
  • York Peppermint Patty Fudge

See All of My Candy Recipes

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (18)

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (19)

Once you make this perfect fudge recipe, you’ll quit looking at all of the others! What do you say we get to the recipe for Grandma’s Never Fail Fudge? Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (20)

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (21)

4.42 from 123 votes

Print Recipe

Never Fail Fudge

This tried and true, old fashioned recipe for Never Fail Fudge won't ever let you down. It turns out perfectly rich and creamy each and every time you make it.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Additional Time2 hours hrs

Total Time2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Course: Candy

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best, chocolate chips, chocolate fudge, creamy fudge, easy to. make fudge, Fudge, fudge candy, fudge with marshmallow fluff, fudge without condensed milk, Grandma's fudge, homemade, How do I make fudge? old fashioned, how to make the best fudge, never fail, not grainy, old fashioned fudge, perfect fudge, recipe, traditional fudge

Servings: 9 x13 pan

Calories: 83kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 1 7 ounce container marshmallow fluff
  • 1 12 ounce package semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup nuts optional

Instructions

  • Line a 9x13 baking dish with buttered parchment paper. Set aside.

  • In a good sized sauce pan, heat butter, sugar, milk and cream. Stir frequently and watch closely. When temperature reaches 236 degrees F (medium soft ball stage) remove it from the heat.

  • Stir in marshmallow fluff and chocolate chips until smooth.

  • Spread into prepared pan.

  • Chill for a couple of hours in the fridge, until set.

  • Remove by lifting the edges of the parchment. Remove paper and cut into squares. Store in a cool place. Can be frozen in an airtight container.

Notes

Freezes and ships well.

Nutrition

Serving: 2pieces | Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 19mg | Sugar: 11g

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (22)

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to great 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.

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.

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Use Evaporated Milk- Make sure to use evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk. If you accidentally use sweetened condensed milk your fudge will be incredibly over the top sweet.

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

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

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

Should you stir fudge while it's boiling? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.

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.

How do you keep fudge creamy? ›

So, the key to smooth yet firm fudge, pralines, and fondant is to first bring the mixture to a high enough concentration and then let it cool off somewhat before starting to stir. And once you do start to stir, stir fanatically and without stopping for the finest, creamiest texture.

What is the best pan to make fudge in? ›

Secondly, the pot's material should allow for good heat distribution hence your top choice should be copper cookware or a pot with a copper core. Copper's exceptional heat conductivity offers unparalleled temperature control, an asset when working with finicky ingredients like sugar.

Can I use half-and-half instead of evaporated milk in fudge? ›

Half-and-half has less protein and more fat than evaporated milk, but you can substitute the same amount of half-and-half for evaporated milk in a recipe. You won't get the same note of caramelized flavor that you would from evaporated milk, but the creamy consistency makes this an excellent substitute.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

Evaporated milk has added sugar and carbohydrates which are very high, making sweetened condensed milk not healthy for nutritional intake for babies and children, Ali explained.

How do you firm up homemade fudge? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

How do you make homemade fudge firmer? ›

​Harden the fudge:​ Place your container or tins in the fridge for 2 hours, which is the time it takes for the fudge to set. Once it's hardened, cut the fudge into 12 pieces or remove it from the muffin tins. Store in the fridge or the freezer (if you don't devour it right away).

Why did my fudge turn out like caramel? ›

Fudge can turn into caramel due to overcooking or undercooking, incorrect temperatures, or wrong ingredients.

What gives fudge the creamy texture and dull appearance? ›

The addition of egg whites and gelatin will coat the sugar crystals and keep them small. This results in creamy fudge. Shhh! It's a Fudgy Secret!

Should you stir fudge constantly? ›

It is important to stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture starts to thicken and its surface starts to look dull or matte. Now is the time to stop beating and pour the fudge into a mould. Another tip: Do not scrape the sides of the pan or the spoon used for stirring.

How do you keep fudge smooth? ›

So, the key to smooth yet firm fudge, pralines, and fondant is to first bring the mixture to a high enough concentration and then let it cool off somewhat before starting to stir. And once you do start to stir, stir fanatically and without stopping for the finest, creamiest texture.

Why is my fudge not creamy? ›

If the sugar crystals are not properly dissolved before cooling, they can create a gritty texture. To avoid this, ensure that you stir the fudge mixture consistently and remove any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan using a wet pastry brush.

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