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
{originally published 10/15/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/4/22}
Moody Dianne says
Maybe I’m missing this, but it doesn’t say how much of each ingredients you use.
Della says
I made the peanut butter fudge and it turned out perfect I made the chocolate fudge and it never did set up real hard like the peanut butter did the only difference I did was instead of putting parchment paper in the bowl or the pan for the chocolate fudge I buttered the pan that should not of made a difference I mean it still taste good but it’s not firm any suggestions
Nancy says
The fudge did not set up. I followed the recipe exactly. Even stuck to the parchment paper.and I did use the sweetened condensed milk.
Melva Riley says
Mine did not set up either followed directions.
debbie says
it says 4 hours cook time
Mary says
That’s the chill time in the refrigerator.
Joyce Gabbert says
My fudge never turns out. I was hoping this recipe would. However, sadly it isn’t. It tastes great but didn’t get hard and even stuck to the parchment. I followed it step by step, what did I do wrong?
Mary says
The biggest issue I see is when people accidentally use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk. Other than that, with this few ingredients, there honestly isn’t any reason why the fudge won’t firm up in the refrigerator. Without being in your kitchen with you, it’s hard to guess. I’m sorry for your frustration though!
Pamala Hilton says
Could it be because margarine was used and not butter?
Mary Miller says
Yep, you solved my issue . . . I used evaporated milk :(.
Dianne says
Made this. It was easy and delicious. Easiest fudge I ever made. I’m going to try with milk chocolate.
Mary says
Do you have a recipe for white chocolate fudge
Ejsundance’s says
I changed the dark chocolate to whites chocolate and used pistachio nuts
Linda armstrong says
Was that tasty?
Carolyn says
Merry Christmas
Linda says
So easy love it
Linda Armstrong says
I wrote you on Facebook,, but I thought you would see this faster.
I looked at both the chocolate pecan fudge recipe and the white chocolate pecan recipe.
My mom got the semi-sweet chocolate recipe from Sears In the 70’s when microwaves first came out, Mom demonstrated microwave recipes, and this was one. I have made this over the years.
My question:
Why do the recipes call for differing amounts of chocolate morsels—-dark chocolate-2 cups and white chocolate-3 cups?
Is that a typo, or is that the correct amount?
I want to make these Friday morning for a church Christmas party at my pastor’s house.
Carol Ann says
Hi, this looks fabulous! Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
Thank you
Carol B.
Mary says
I use salted butter.
Kim says
can this only be stored in the frig? I wanted to mail out for Christmas gifts. Thanks
Amber says
Can i freeze this?
Tammy says
Do you use non stick spray? Foil? Parchment paper?
Bridget says
Hi, dark chocolate chips? Not semi sweet? Thanks.
Jenna says
I’ve made this recipe with dark, semi-sweet, milk , and white chocolate. It tastes wonderful with all of them.
Bobbie says
My kids like milk chocolate better. Will that work instead of dark chocolate?
Mary says
Milk chocolate will work fine. Enjoy!
Carolyn Jane Hackett says
Mine is soft after sitting in the fridge for 4 hours. How do I harden it?
Pamala Hilton says
Mine did also. Why?
Judy says
Mine too
Mary says
So on the cook time and total time shouldn’t it say minutes not hours?
Mary says
The total cook time reflects the amount of time needed to chill until firm in the refrigerator.
Carol ann Avey says
What do you need to do if the candy doesn’t get hard ?
Sandy says
Di you use semi chocolate chips
Jennifer says
Mine to
Dave Dupuy says
We tried this 5 minutes Recipe and it came out great.
Thanhs