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.

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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? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

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? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

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 makes high quality 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).

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.

Is evaporated milk the same as condensed milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

How do you make homemade fudge firmer? ›

​Harden the fudge:​ Place your container or tins in the fridge for 2 hours, which is the time it takes for the fudge to set. Once it's hardened, cut the fudge into 12 pieces or remove it from the muffin tins. Store in the fridge or the freezer (if you don't devour it right away).

Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›

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.

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

Fudge usually behaves this way when it's not cooked to a high enough temperature (due to oversight or a faulty candy thermometer).

What to do with failed fudge? ›

OPTION 1) Depending on how runny it is, you can either use it as a frosting for cakes, or a sauce for ice-cream. OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed.

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.

Should fudge be refrigerated to set? ›

Fudge is best stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks wrapped up in its original wax paper. NEVER REFRIGERATE your fudge as this will draw out the moisture and leave you with dry, crumbly fudge.

What consistency should fudge be before it sets? ›

You know it's ready when a small amount of the mixture dropped into a glass of cold water sets into a soft ball that you can lift out with a teaspoon and pinch between your fingers. Turn off the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes or until the mix starts to thicken a little.

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 gives fudge its firm texture? ›

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.

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!

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