5 Minute 5 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge is a creamy chocolate fudge recipe generously filled with pecans.
This Chocolate Pecan 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.
Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe
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.
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!
Chocolate Fudge
While I’m not really a fan of microwave cooking in general, nothing beats being able to melt baking ingredients to the perfect consistency in just moments.
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 chocolate 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.
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.
Easy Fudge Recipe
This 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. 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!
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!
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.
I’ve also recently been enjoying No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Bites and this Homemade Almond Joy recipe.
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!
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!
Kitchen Tip: I use this bowl, this spatula, and this pan to make this recipe.
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.
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
{originally published 10/15/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/29/20}
5 Minute 5 Ingredient Chocolate Pecan Fudge is a creamy chocolate fudge recipe generously filled with pecans. This Chocolate Pecan 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.
Fudge Recipe
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. 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.
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!
Chocolate Fudge
While I’m not really a fan of microwave cooking in general, nothing beats being able to melt baking ingredients to the perfect consistency in just moments.
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 chocolate 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.
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.
Whatever you do, do not try to melt the chocolate directly on the stovetop without using a double boiling method. Chocolate is likely to burn when put on direct heat.
Easy Fudge Recipe
This 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. 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!
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!
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.
I’ve also recently been enjoying No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Bites and this Homemade Almond Joy recipe.
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!
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!
Kitchen Tip: I use this bowl, this spatula, and this pan to make this recipe.
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.
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
{originally published 10/15/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/29/20}
Jil says
Salted or unsalted butter? I am thinking salted so it is not too sweet.
Mary Younkin says
I use salted butter in all of my recipes, Jil.
Allie says
Hi. The fudge is been in fridge for hours and seems too soft. What did I do wrong?
Mary Younkin says
Without being in your kitchen with you, it’s hard to guess. Did you substitute any of the ingredients, Allie?
Lois Sparks says
Can this fudge be mail or does it need to be refrigerated. I am used to making fudge with marshmallows and evaporated milk but I just don’t have the time to do it. this years
Thanks
Mary Younkin says
This fudge will handle being mailed just fine, as long as it’s a cold climate. I wouldn’t recommend shipping to a warmer area, Lois.
Anne says
Can I use milk chocolate chips or will it affect the consistency of the fudge?
Mary Younkin says
It should work just fine, Anne,
Patricia says
I made these yesterday and they were soft as if I were eating a regular chocolate bar. The only thing that I did different was I used a cup of semi sweet chips and a cup of milk chocolate chips. The white caramel fudge came out perfect but dont know what happen with this one. I also made the vanilla white fudge and it was perfect. Where could I’ve went wrong?
Sharon D Roy says
Can you use the same process and ingredients with peanut butter chips
Mary Younkin says
I have no idea how that might work, Sharon. However, I have a super easy peanut butter fudge recipe that is popular as well: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/easy-chocolate-peanut-butter-fudge-recipe/
Pat says
I made these yesterday and they were soft as if I were eating a regular chocolate bar. The only thing that I did different was I used a cup of semi sweet chips and a cup of milk chocolate chips. The white caramel fudge came out perfect but dont know what happen with this one. I also made the vanilla white fudge and it was perfect. Where could I’ve went wrong?
Mary Younkin says
Without being in your kitchen with you, I can’t really say, Pat. My guess is that some of the measurements might have been off. I haven’t made this myself with milk chocolate, but I have been told that it works. That would be my only guess for a different result.
Michele Christine says
So far so good
Taste great
In the fridgerator now
Can not wait to try….
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad that you like it, Michele.
Lisa says
This was an easy and quick recipe to make. I used milk chocolate chips that’s all I had on hand and instead of the pecans I chopped up maraschino cherries and a little cherry juice to this to make you cordial cherry chocolate fudge. It’s so yummy. I’ve always liked cordial cherry anything so this is so close to that taste. It’s my families favorite fudge for Christmas. Loved the easiness of this quick fudge. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you love it, Lisa!
dianne schroeder valeriedziewior says
I love this recipe
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the fudge, Dianne!
Joe Rankin says
Just finished preparing the fudge. Not all the butter melted after 90 seconds. Stuck back in microwave for another 15 seconds. Stirred and stirred but I don’t think the butter mixed with the other ingredients well. When I poured it into the pan, there was melted butter lying on top..
Mary Younkin says
That’s odd, Joe. Hopefully it set well for you. I’m not sure what happened there. Did you substitute any ingredients? or perhaps use margarine?
Phyllis says
love good food..
Mary Younkin says
me too, Phyllis!
Eva Lindsay says
love it.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad that you liked the fudge, Eva!
Pat says
You said to use a loaf pan. Like meatloaf pan? That sounds like the candy will be awfully thick. Can I use an 8 by 8 glass dish?
Mary Younkin says
It’s a fairly small recipe, Pat. I typically double it for a larger pan. You can absolutely make it in an 8-inch pan though. It will simply be thinner fudge.
Annie says
What I do not like is that I have to go through too much rhetoric to get to recipe. By the time I got to recipe I no longer wanted to make it.
Mary Younkin says
Hi Annie, The recipe and the full ingredient list is always provided at the bottom of the page, as is standard with every free recipe website these days. Just scroll down to the bottom of the post, if that’s all you need. And if you aren’t interested in scrolling through the post, feel free to make use of the handy “jump to recipe” button at the top of the post. In the past, when I’ve tried providing the recipe at the top of the page, the number of people asking questions about the recipe multiplied exponentially, as most never scrolled down to see where things had already been answered. I do my best to provide as much information as possible to avoid the multitude of questions that tend to be inevitable for many recipes, this also helps tell Google and other search engines that all relevant information has been provided – sometimes even more than some people might need/want.
Janet Welch Beasley says
Good recipes!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad that you like them, Janet.
caren says
delicious. and so easy to make
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Caren!