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5 Minute Chocolate Fudge is a creamy chocolate fudge recipe generously filled with pecans.
This fudge recipe comes together in just a few minutes and it is perfect for gifting, snacking, and serving for any occasion. Made with or without nuts, this fudge is a favorite sweet treat year-round.
Chocolate Fudge
To make this Chocolate Pecan Fudge, you simply combine everything in a glass bowl, heat for a couple of minutes, pour onto a tray, and refrigerate until firm. I like to sprinkle a few spoonfuls of extra chopped nuts on top of the fudge before refrigerating, too.
Once the fudge is set you can slice the fudge into whatever shapes and sizes you like. 1-inch squares are my preferred way to cut this fudge but bigger squares, triangles, and rectangles would also be good!
I like how the small squares of fudge make it easier to share with family and friends or pack into a box with parchment paper for a gift.
This chocolate fudge is rich enough that a little goes a long way so even just a batch of it is enough to satisfy all of our sweet tooths.
How to Make 5 Minute Fudge
Traditional old-fashioned fudge is a time-intensive and finicky candy to make. Old-fashioned fudge requires a candy thermometer and a considerable amount of time spent stirring the hot mixture over the stovetop.
Delicious for sure but, in my opinion, rarely worth all the time, effort, and special equipment.
Microwave Fudge
This method of making fudge may not be traditional but it produces a homemade chocolate fudge that’s just as delicious as the old-fashioned kind. Nothing beats being able to melt baking ingredients to the perfect consistency in just moments.
All it takes is a microwave (or stovetop) and a few ingredients, plus a little hands-off time waiting for the fudge to set. Since you don’t even need the stove for this recipe, it’s also a great one to make with kids!
Kids will love creating their very own chocolate fudge. For little ones it’s almost magical to see the melty chocolate mixture turn into cuttable fudge after just a little time in the fridge.
Now that I’ve been making fudge this way, I’m thrilled to be making countless varieties of fudge in just minutes. There are so many EASY FUDGE RECIPES here, be sure to check them all out!
Yes, you can make this fudge on the stove. Keep the heat low and use a double boiler method. The microwave melting method makes this recipe ultra-quick and easy. However, if you don’t happen to be a fan of the microwave (or don’t have one), you can easily melt the chocolate, milk, and butter in a double boiler on the stovetop. It will just take a few minutes longer.
Yes, you can freeze fudge. Wrap it tightly in parchment (cut or uncut) and then slide it into a zip-close freezer bag. Press the air out of the bag and freeze flat.
Yes, nuts can be added to almost any fudge recipe. No other adjustments will need to be made.
No, you can not make this without regular sweetened condensed milk. Nothing else will work. The sweetened condensed milk contains sugar which is vital to the taste, texture, and consistency of this recipe.
Chocolate Fudge Recipes
Chocolate fudge with pecans is delicious just as is but you can also use the basic recipe as a guide to making chocolate fudge with different mix-ins.
Starting with the basic combination of chocolate, butter, and sweetened condensed milk gives you a canvas for making just about any kind of chocolate fudge you can imagine.
This recipe would be delicious with almonds or walnuts instead of (or in addition to) pecans. Dried fruits, pretzels, peppermint candies, marshmallows, peanut butter chips . . . the list of good ideas goes on and on. This peanut butter fudge we filled with Oreos is still something my kids ask to make. Get creative!
You could also skip the nuts and mix-ins all together to create a simple but still completely heavenly basic chocolate fudge. Sometimes the simplest desserts are the ones we love best!
Alternatively, you can really mix it up with white chocolate and caramel, like the heavenly fudge pictured above.
I’ve also recently been enjoying No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Bites and this Homemade Almond Joy recipe.
Nothing beats having candy recipes at your fingertips that only require a handful of ingredients and a few minutes time. Butterscotch Fudge and Caramel Peanut Butter Pretzel Fudge are both on my list to try this year.
Creamy chocolate fudge filled with peanuts and marshmallows makes a chewy, crunchy, salty, sweet Rocky Road Fudge that all ages will enjoy.
If you’ve avoided making your own fudge because you assumed you’d need tons of time and a professional candy thermometer to get it right, these are the recipes for you! The taste and texture are everything we love about old-fashioned fudge except you only need 5 minutes instead of several hours!
Kitchen Tip: I use this bowl, this spatula, and this pan to make this recipe.
Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe
- Combine the chocolate, the milk, and the butter in a medium-size glass bowl and heat in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir to combine and heat another 15 seconds if needed.
- Add the extract and stir until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of pecans.
- Scoop into a parchment-lined loaf pan. Spread with a spatula to approximately 1-inch thickness.
- Top with remaining chopped pecans. Chill until ready to serve.
- Slice into 1-inch squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
PLEASE NOTE: This recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk, not heavy cream, not half and half, nothing else will work. Trust me on this.
The sweetened condensed milk contains sugar which is vital to the taste, texture, and consistency of this recipe.
Even if you’ve had success subbing with something else in other recipes, I promise that you NEED to use sweetened condensed milk for this fudge recipe!
Homemade Candy
If you’re looking for more great fudge recipes, you’ll want to check out our other top fudge recipes, too.
This White Chocolate Caramel Fudge has been one of the most popular fudge recipes on the site since I first shared it. That doesn’t surprise me. Rich creamy white chocolate and buttery caramel make this fudge recipe unbeatable.
Chocolate and peanut butter lovers must give this Buckeye Fudge a try, too. Inspired by the popular candy, it’s a thick nutty peanut butter fudge topped with delicious dark chocolate that tastes just like a Buckeye.
The Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge has been an enormous hit with every single person who has made it. Peanut butter and powdered sugar together make the fudge smooth, sweet and almost laughably easy to make. The kids can even make it on their own!
Dark Chocolate Coconut Fudge is filled with sweet, chewy bits of coconut and then topped with a generous sprinkling of coconut. Creamy dark chocolate peppermint fudge is topped with crushed candy canes for a wonderful Christmas treat.
5-Minute Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans plus about 2 tablespoons for topping
Instructions
- Combine the chocolate, the milk, and the butter in a medium size glass bowl and heat in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir to combine and heat another 15 seconds if needed.
- Add the extract and stir until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of pecans. Scoop into a parchment lined loaf pan. Spread with a spatula to approximately 1-inch thickness. Top with remaining chopped pecans. Chill until ready to serve. Slice into 1-inch squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 10/15/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/4/22}
The best to die for. its the best fudge ever. I pass it along in the Villa where i leave and every body smile.
I’m so happy that you like it, Claude!
Tried this recipe exactly as stated three separate times. I did not sub anything out. I triple checked measurements. The butter would not mix into it. No amount of stirring would get the last 2 tablespoons of butter. I cooled it down and put it in the fridge hoping for the best but they turned out incredibly greasy. I thought maybe I had misread a direction somewhere and sent to my sister. She had the same issue. I unfortunately will not be making this again but. I’m glad it worked out for some people.
Hey Sara, were you using the microwave as outlined in the recipe? Or were you using the stovetop? If the stovetop, were you using a double boiler? What you’re describing sound like the result of too high heat, too fast when making fudge. However, that’s never happened for me when using the microwave method. Usually, when that happens, it could be corrected by allowing the mixture to cool to room temp and then stirring again until smooth and glossy.
I’ve just made this fudge and was skeptical to say the least, but everything worked as described and after about 1 hour in the fridge, I tasted it and it was really VERY good! Crazy.
I’m so glad you like it!
Update: I did a taste test with Bucky’s fudge, which I thought was best and actually preferred your recipe over Bucky’s! Who knew? 🤭
I’m so glad you love it!
My fudge recipe of 30 years is called Foolproof Fudge, and comes out perfect every time. It calls for a can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 and Half bags chocolate chips or your choice of flavors, dash salt, half to 1cup nuts, I use pecans and 1 and half teaspoons vanilla extract. Got it from Eagle Brand condensed milk. I always double it because I share with family. You should try it sometime.
I’ll put it on my list to try. Thanks!