Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (2024)

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Looking for an easy fudge recipe that will impress your friends and family this Christmas? Look no further! This 3-ingredient recipe is simple to follow and produces a delicious, creamy fudge every time. Serve this fudge at your next holiday gathering and watch it disappear!

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (1)

Right now, my mind is on holiday entertaining. That means all sorts of savory appetizers, festive co*cktails, and decadent desserts are dancing in my head. Because the Christmas season can be a busy and stressful time, I’m all about recipes that impress but are simple and quick to make.

Well, lucky for you, this easy fudge recipe is just the ticket you need!

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

2 Ingredients

3 How to Make

4 Frequently Asked Questions

6 Easy Fudge Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I discovered this fudge recipe about two decades ago, and it’s become a family favorite ever since. There’s a chance you might know of it too since almost everyone seems to have someone in their life who makes this holiday treat. For me, that person is my mom’s friend Kathy.

After so many holiday parties, she taught me her recipe and I’ve been making it ever since!

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (2)

When it comes to whipping up these delicious fudge bites, there are several things I absolutely adore about this recipe:

  • Unlike a lot of fudge recipes, it’s almost impossible to mess up.
  • You only need three basic, easy-to-find ingredients.

It’s so creamy and delicious. Making and eating it should be a crime (but thankfully it’s not!).

Who knew a fudge recipe could be this good!?

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (3)

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this recipe.

  • Candy Melts: To make fudge, you’ll need two different kinds of candy melts. I used both white chocolate and milk chocolate. You will need 14 ounces of each.
  • Peanut Butter: I love to use peanut butter where I can! I used creamy peanut butter to make this Christmas fudge, but you can substitute any type of nut butter.
  • Sugar Cake Decorations: This is optional but adds a festive touch to the fudge. You can find these HERE or in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.

Depending on when you make this homemade fudge, you can decorate it with festive sprinkles, meringues, or other decorations. I decided to go with these beaded Christmas sugar bulbs! It really sets off the holiday vibe.

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (4)

How to Make

It’s super easy to make this dessert. It can even be a fun baking activity to do with kids!

  1. Add candy melts and creamy peanut butter to the top of a double boiler.
    • Tip: I don’t have a double boiler, so I just place a heatproof glass bowl in a saucepan that has a little water in it. Just make sure the bowl doesn’t come in contact with the water.)
  2. Heat and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
  3. Pour fudge into a pan lined with a sheet of parchment paper.
  4. Allow the fudge to set.
    • Tip: Do not refrigerate. It will become way too stiff and lose its smooth and creamy texture.
  5. Share with friends and family and enjoy! I told you it’s nearly impossible to mess this up.

And that’s it, my friends. I like to dress my fudge up with these sugar cake decorations. They make it look more festive, don’t you think? I found the light bulb candies here.

Note: I’ve provided the exact ingredients and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few questions I’ve been asked when I shared this easy fudge recipe.

Can I mix in other toppings when I make this fudge?

Yes, you can! Feel free to add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or other treats. Just make sure that there aren’t any large pieces that will prevent the fudge from setting properly.

Can I melt chocolate chips instead of candy melts?

Yes, but it won’t taste as good and the texture might be different. For the best results, I’d recommend using candy melts.

How long does easy fudge last?

Homemade fudge that is stored at room temperature can last up to four days, although it’s best to keep it in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying. You can also store fudge in the refrigerator for a maximum of two weeks.

Can I freeze easy fudge?

Yes, you can! To freeze easy fudge, wrap it up in a few layers of plastic wrap or place it into an air-tight container. Then pop it into the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, just thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

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That’s pretty much it! Once it’s completely set, cut the fudge into squares (or whatever shape you like. I sometimes cut them into holiday shapes like stars and Christmas trees).

If you want, you can transfer the fudge to a platter or plate with festive liners (just like I did for my Christmas party) and share it with your friends and family!

This easy fudge recipe is simple enough to make for impromptu gatherings, and it looks so festive with the sugar cake decorations.

I hope you enjoyed this easy Christmas fudge recipe! Be sure to let me know how it went in the comments section below! I’m always looking for new ideas to try out.

Happy Holidays!

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More Festive Treats You May Enjoy

  • No-Bake Bourbon Balls
  • Christmas Donuts
  • Frosted Almond Sugar Cookies
  • White Chocolate Puff Corn
  • Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies

I hope you’ll try this delicious and easy fudge recipe. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along onInstagramandTikTokfor daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration onFacebookandPinterest!

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Easy Fudge Recipe

This Easy Fudge Recipe, made with only three ingredients, is the creamiest fudge you will ever taste.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate, christmas, dessert, fudge, holiday

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 48 pieces

Calories: 114kcal

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces white chocolate candy melts
  • 14 ounces milk chocolate candy melts
  • 14 ounces creamy peanut butter
  • sugar cake decorations optional

Instructions

  • Add both candy melts and peanut butter to the top of a double boiler (or to a heatproof glass bowl resting in a saucepan with a couple inches of water in it).

  • Heat the mixture until melted and smooth.

  • Pour the fudge into an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with a sheet of parchment paper. Allow the fudge to set. Do not refrigerate.

  • Once completely set, cut the fudge into squares, and if desired, top with decorative sugar cake decorations. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.

Video

Notes

*I assume that when this recipe was developed, these three items came in 14-ounce packages. However, product sizes have changed over the years. Ultimately, you will need equal amounts of each ingredient. Adjust your pan size accordingly.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (9)
Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe (3 Ingredients) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›

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.

Why won't my 3 ingredient condensed milk fudge set? ›

This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool. Heat in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring well between each to ensure everything is melting evenly.

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.

How to make a fudge set? ›

If your fudge fails to harden in the fridge, it means that you probably didn't cook it to the right temperature. Fudge is a candy, and that means it is extremely picky about temperature - fudge must be cooked to precisely 237–239 degrees Fahrenheit so that sugar forms the desired consistency when cooled.

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

Why won't my 2 ingredient fudge set? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What happens if I use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk in fudge? ›

Don't Substitute One for the Other

Thus, using condensed milk in a recipe that requires evaporated milk will yield an overly sweet dish.

How do you make homemade fudge firmer? ›

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.

What keeps fudge from getting hard? ›

If there is too much evaporation, when the cooking time is too long, there will not be enough water left in the fudge and it will be too hard. Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft.

Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›

Don't stir!

Once the fudge reaches soft-ball stage on the candy thermometer, remove from the heat and let the temperature drop to 110°F. Keep that spoon or spatula out of the pot until this happens. If you stir too early in the process, you'll make the sugar crystals too big and end up with grainy fudge.

What to do with failed fudge? ›

My advice to you is to just pour it in a jar, call it something else delicious, and pretend you meant for it to be that way. The nice thing about my “failed” fudge is that it tastes absolutely delicious! A spoonful of the delectable treat will make you want for more.

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 is the key to making fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

How to fix fudge that did not set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

What is the ball method fudge? ›

According to most recipes, the ingredients of fudge are cooked to what is termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

Do you stir fudge when it's boiling? ›

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. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

What makes fudge moist? ›

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.

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!

Can you beat fudge in a stand mixer? ›

If you beat it by hand with a wooden spoon, crystallization can take between 5 to 15 minutes. The process is much faster with an electric mixer, just 2 to 3 minutes.

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