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}
Judy says
Why does mine come out soft and gooey it cuts in pieces but it’s soft and gooey
Donna says
Mine also turned out soft a gooey don’t know what happen
Jody Campbell says
I made the five minute fudge with dark Chocolate morsels and pecans.
It was very delicious.
Tracey says
Love how easy this fudge is..I used walnuts on mine..gonna add a sea salt to the top next time for the sweet salty taste
Jackie Swaney says
What is the difference between parchment paper and wax paper?
Do you refrigerate as soon as you make it r leave sitting on counter?
Mary says
For this recipe, you could probably use wax paper without any issues. However, parchment paper is oven safe and wax paper is not. So, they aren’t typically interchangeable. Parchment is much sturdier than wax paper too, so it’s my first choice for most purposes.
Judy Routh says
Can you make this with powder chocolate?
Mary says
This fudge will not work the same way with cocoa powder.
Jeanelle Jones says
Cooked mine on top of stove. It tasted wonderful , but did not get firm. How long should I have cooked it on top of stove😔??
Mary says
The cooking time shouldn’t affect whether or not it sets. Chilling in the fridge should have resulted in fudge firm enough to slice. Did you use sweetened condensed milk? The most common error is accidentally using evaporated milk.
Dr. Faye E. Bynum says
WOW! Thank you so very much! This fudge recipe was quick, fast and scrumptious. I am a Missionary Minister to the Confined Elderly and they love fudge. I am going to surprise them with this very easy and delicious. Thanks again and Have a Happy Valentine Day.
Mary says
I’m thrilled that you love the fudge recipe! Thanks for taking the time to tell me.
Linda Harvey says
Can you use milk chocolate chips?
Mary says
I think that will work fine, however, I haven’t tested it myself. If you do try it that way, let us know how it works!
Teesha says
I tried it with the milk chocolate chips & it came out perfect!!! It was a Wonderful taste & texture! Cut well into squares!!!
Mary Younkin says
So happy that you like the fudge, Teesha!
Virginia says
Hello. Love this fudge and the recipe is so easy but is it available in a metric version for us Canadians? I have tried using a conversion site to change the measurements to metric and it just doesnt turn out quite as it should. It doesn’t set quite as solid as it should, regardless of how long it is in the fridge. Thank you
Christine huff says
How long do you put in fridge for
Mary Younkin says
It needs a few hours in the fridge, Christine, long enough to set the fudge firm enough to slice it.
Jessica Thompson says
I made this for my hubby for Valentine’s day. This was my first attempt at making fudge, and I’m 56 years old lol. I must say, it was super tasty and easy and fast. It tended to stay a bit soft, but once it firmed up fair in the fridge, I separated the pieces a bit & it dried out some, firming it. Truly yummy and I’m proud of myself! Thanks for the recipe!
Mary says
I’m so happy you liked the fudge, Jessica!
Lisa says
The flavor was excellent! But it would not firm up no matter how long I left it in the fridge. I did everything 100% according to the recipe. Any ideas on how to firm it up?
Mary says
The most common error is to use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk. I have never had it stay soft after refrigeration when made with the above ingredients.
Caden says
This was a really good project. I would recommend this for anybody wanting to bake an easy treat with their family.
Mary says
I’m glad you enjoyed the fudge!
amama2all3 says
The flavor is fabulous. It does seem to be a softer set than some other recipes I have tried. However those were the long and strong stovetop recipes. I like this easy recipe and it’s flexibility.
Mary says
I’m so glad you like the fudge!
Any says
I think this needs a bit less of the sweetened condensed milk or a bit more chocolate chips. It’s a bit more like super thick frosting than fudge.
Arlene C says
I love how easy this fudge is to make. It tastes fantastic too.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the fudge, Arlene!
Cathie says
Hi
What is the weight of the choc chips? They are not readily available in the uk and I’d need to use a bar of chocolate chopped up.
Mary Younkin says
Hi Cathie! You’ll need about 12 ounces of chocolate. Happy baking!
joan says
Can you use white chocolate for this recipe?
Mary Younkin says
Hi Joan, if you prefer a white chocolate fudge, here’s a recipe specifically for that: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/vanilla-fudge-recipe/ Enjoy!
Stephanie Ragozzino says
I love this recipe i make it all the time
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the fudge, Stephanie!
Barbara Darval says
Haven’t made this yummy-sounding fudge yet because I was disappointed to see that it only makes a loaf pan amount of fudge. Really? A 5×9 pan? Or am I misunderstanding?
Mary Younkin says
It’s a small batch recipe, Barbara. A doubled recipe will fill an 8-9 inch square pan.
Sarah says
I haven’t made yet . I’m not a big fan of microwaves but will try.
No sugar?? I know we don’t like
People making changes but I’m
Going to add some mini
Marshmallows.
Mary Younkin says
There is plenty of sugar in the chocolate and condensed milk. No other sugar is required for this recipe.