30 of Our Best Fudge Recipes (2024)

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30 of Our Best Fudge Recipes (1)Kelli AcciardoUpdated: Mar. 19, 2024

    Fudge comes in all shapes, colors and textures, but our 30 best fudge recipes have earned high marks (and rave reviews) for their best-in-class flavors. When the holidays roll around, be sure you're stocked with these festive favorites.

    Three-Chocolate Fudge

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    Three kinds of chocolate are better than one in our book, especially when it comes to making buttery fudge. This easy-to-master recipe also employs chopped pecans for a nutty crunch, and marshmallows for the fluffiest texture.

    Easy Microwave Mint Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Everyone could use a shortcut around the holidays and, thanks to the microwave, this minty fudge practically makes itself. If you’re in make-ahead mode, wrap the fudge in waxed paper layers and freeze in an airtight container until you’re ready to gift it (or eat it yourself!).

    Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge

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    Once you get a hang of basic chocolate fudge, elevate your version with dark chocolate and raspberry liqueur. Some reviewers shared that Chambord or raspberry syrup produced equally tasty results.

    Marshmallow Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Get all the campfire-friendly flavors of s’mores in fudge form! To keep this already decadent dessert a bit lighter, opt for fat-free sweetened condensed milk and reduced-fat graham crackers.

    Candy Bar Fudge

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    If Snickers made fudge for the holidays, we imagine it would look a lot like this loaded candy bar concoction. Studded with salty peanuts and sweet ribbons of caramel, it’s the ultimate indulgence. Need something to pair with the fudge? Try these Snickers-inspired cookies.

    Cherry Swirl Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but not everyone loves the taste of peppermint. For the naysayers, swap the red and white candies for cherry. To make the pretty pattern, you’ll want to add a few red food coloring drops over the fudge, then use a knife tip to swirl through them.

    Sugar-Free Chocolate Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    While fudge may be a classic holiday choice for a cookie exchange or dessert-centric Viennese hour, it goes without saying, it’s packed with sugar. This sugar-free version calls for a sugar substitute like Stevia, agave or coconut sugar for a less saccharine treat that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

    Mint Oreo Fudge

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    Mix-ins like Oreos, mint extract and miniature marshmallows take a fudge recipe from ordinary to extraordinary. You can even toss in merry candy cane bits while at it. As for an easy trick to cutting fudge once firm, use unflavored, unwaxed dental string to slice and dice it into uniform cubes.

    Ribbon Fantasy Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Even though these adorable desserts resemble little cheesecakes, they’re actually peanut butter and chocolate fudge squares. Adding marshmallow creme gives this already dreamy fudge an irresistible, whipped-like consistency, so be sure to double or triple the recipe for a ravenous crowd.

    Holiday White Chocolate Fudge

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    Rich, chocolaty fudge may get a lot of love during the Festivus season, but don’t discount its creamy, milky cousin, white chocolate. The key to this super smooth fudge is never to stop stirring when you’re in phase one (combining sugar, milk and butter) before taking it off the heat.

    Mackinac Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Michigan is famous for its Mackinac Island fudge, so if you want to re-create the old-fashioned gift shop fudge, let us make it easy on you with this cheat sheet. The decorative icing and sprinkles may be optional, but this recipe has the island’s fudgy formula down to a science.

    Apricot-Nut White Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Nuts and fruit are a classic Christmas combo for desserts like panettone and apricot-nut fudge. The tiny slices of orange fruit add a citrusy brightness to the snow-white squares, and the chopped walnuts sneak in some crunchiness. Because this fudge contains cream cheese, it should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator—not on the counter.

    Kahlua Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    White Russians and toasted almond co*cktails are popular drinks around the holidays, and this Kahlua fudge remixes those flavors into a scrumptious dessert. The best part? You need just five ingredients and you probably have most of them in your pantry.

    Cookies ‘n’ Cream Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Cookies ‘n’ cream devotees are known to seek out this nostalgic duo in every possible form: in ice cream, brownies and, yes, fudge. This recipe has not one but two layers of Oreos with creamy white chocolate in between. Bonus: One panful yields enough squares for your whole crew.

    Tiger Butter Fudge

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    Peanut butter makes everything better, including fudge. With white and milk chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, shortening and softened butter, you can enjoy the tiger-striped treat in under an hour. Hot tip: Clean toothpicks create the most precise swirls.

    Chocolate Cherry Fudge

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    TMB studio

    After years of testing recipes, we’re pretty sure we have a handle on the most popular fudge flavors, but chocolate and cherry will always rank high on the list. Chopped almonds also pair well with these flavors so be sure to include them if you have spare nuts on hand.

    Curry-Kissed Coconut Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Thai flavors like coconut and curry lend themselves nicely to this white chocolate fudge, a welcome departure from the piled-high platters of chocolate treats around the holidays. You could also sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the top before it sets for more visual appeal.

    Butter Pecan Fudge

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    Nutty and crunchy, with bits of creamy caramel in every bite, it doesn’t get any better than butter pecan fudge. If you have any leftovers, you can easily freeze them, although, as one commenter puts it, everyone who eats this fudge says it can be habit-forming.

    Nana’s Rocky Road Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    You don’t have to wait for the holidays to treat yourself (and the fam) to this outrageous fudge. The rocky road-style recipe is chock full of peanuts, marshmallows and semisweet chocolate chips for the most delicious fudge that tastes just like Nana’s.

    Christmas Fudge

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    Many hosts have their version of Christmas fudge down pat, but if you’ve yet to find yours and need inspiration, allow us to help. The base of this rich fudge combines sugar, evaporated milk and butter in perfect proportions, but the rest of the recipe is customizable based on your preference for mix-ins.

    Butterscotch Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Butterscotch lovers: Meet the melt-in-your-mouth fudge version of your favorite candy. Walnuts and marshmallows elevate the recipe, but avoid using wet baking equipment to keep your chips from seizing—a term used when water comes in contact with butterscotch chips.

    Bavarian Mint Fudge

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    The German state of Bavaria is known for its treasure-filled Christmas markets just as much as it is for its fudge. So, if you’re looking for a homemade gift that’s sure to please, this is it.

    Coffee Shop Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    The secret-weapon ingredient in this coffee-flavored fudge is cinnamon, which isn’t overpowering at all, but rather, it imparts a subtle flavor to the dense, pecan-packed fudge. Want more of a coffee kick? Add espresso granules or coffee extract.

    Tootsie Roll Fudge

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    Still have leftover Halloween candy? Use the Tootsie Rolls to create extra-chewy holiday fudge. Red and green M&M’s add a bit of festive flair, but you could also use Reese’s Pieces or your favorite candy topper.

    Chocolate Pecan Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    It’s hard to resist a tin of chocolate pecan fudge any time of year, never mind the holidays. This microwaveable five-ingredient recipe is easy and foolproof: You can also use whatever nuts you have on hand.

    Almond Cherry Fudge

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    When you need a quick dessert for a gathering or last-minute party this season, enlist this fast fudge helper. Dried cranberries can stand in for the candied cherries if need be.

    Black Cherry Swirl Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    Get ready to watch these marbled squares disappear once you set them out for guests. The black cherry mix and white chocolate chips make this fudge tasty enough to rival any fudge shop across the country. Plus, we suspect the colors will win Santa’s approval.

    Mocha Nut Fudge

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    Taste of Home

    This old-fashioned fudge recipe tastes like it’s been passed down for generations. It comes together in 10 minutes before refrigerating for two hours or overnight. The disc shape also makes the pieces easy to stack in gift boxes or takeout containers tied with ribbon.

    Originally Published: January 12, 2021

    30 of Our Best Fudge Recipes (30)

    Kelli Acciardo

    Kelli Acciardo is a New York-based journalist and social media content creator, specializing in travel, beauty, fashion, food & wine, health & fitness, and lifestyle reporting.

    With over 15+ years experience in the media industry, she is a seasoned pro at crafting clicky engaging copy and her work has appeared in: Brides, Marie Claire, PureWow, InStyle, Martha Stewart, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, The Knot, Domino, Popsugar, Brit + Co, Bustle, Women's Health, and dozens more publications.

    30 of Our Best Fudge Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the world's best fudge? ›

    While fudge was not invented on Mackinac Island, it most certainly – and most deliciously – was perfected here.

    What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›

    Tips for Making Fudge
    • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
    • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
    • Beat Thoroughly.
    Mar 8, 2023

    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 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!

    What makes mackinac island fudge different? ›

    To obtain the world famous taste, the fudge is slowly cooked in traditional copper kettles over a gas flame. Once the desired temperature is reached, the mixture is poured onto marble slabs for a cooling period and then hand-paddled into loaves.

    What is the most popular flavors of fudge? ›

    After years of testing recipes, we're pretty sure we have a handle on the most popular fudge flavors, but chocolate and cherry will always rank high on the list.

    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

    Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›

    Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again.

    Why does homemade fudge get hard? ›

    Too cooked

    This fudge was cooked to a temperature of 118 °C (244 °F). At this temperature, the sugar is too concentrated and there is not enough water left to form syrup around sugar crystals. The result is hard and brittle fudge. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.)

    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 happens if you cook fudge too long? ›

    The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

    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 does my fudge crumble when I cut it? ›

    The ingredients for fudge are combined and cooked to 234 degrees, cooled to 110 degrees without stirring, then beaten until creamy. Candy that isn't cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard.

    Can you reboil fudge that hasn't set? ›

    How can you fix soft fudge? 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.

    What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

    The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

    Where is the fudge capital of the world? ›

    Whether you visit Mackinac Island on National Fudge Day in June or any other day – maybe during the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August – come find your favorite flavor and experience the fudge capital of the world!

    What is the most famous fudge on Mackinac Island? ›

    Original Murdick's Fudge

    The original on the Island since 1887, Murdick's has been serving fresh homemade fudge, peanut brittle, chocolate nut clusters and bark from the very best ingredients.

    What country is known for fudge? ›

    Chocolate Fudge: An American Invention

    Culinary legend has it that fudge was invented in America. On Valentine's Day, 1886, a confectioner and chocolate maker in Baltimore, Maryland "fudged" a batch of French caramels. The delicious result? The very first batch of "fudge" ever.

    Who made the first fudge? ›

    Fudge's story began in the United States around the 1880s. The first documented instance of fudge being made was at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York when a student named Emelyn Battersby Hartridge heard of a fudge recipe and made 30 pounds of it for a senior auction.

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