No Fail Chocolate Fudge Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

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This very easy to make and delicious No Fail Chocolate Fudge recipe is originally from the Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk Company. The recipe seems to have appeared in the 1950s. This recipe has become very popular and famous with many generations of families! You and your family will love this very rich and delicious No Fail Chocolate Fudge. Sometimes the easiest recipes are the best recipes, and this it one!

Photo from the My Very Best Baking web site.

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No Fail Chocolate Fudge Recipe:

Prep Time

15 mins

Course:Dessert

Cuisine:American

Keyword:No Fail Chocolate Fudge Recipe

Servings: 48 pieces

Author: What's Cooking America

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2cups granulatedsugar
  • 2/3cup (5 fluid ounces)Carnation Evaporated Milk
  • 2tablespoonsbutteror margarine
  • 1/4teaspoonsalt
  • 2cups miniaturemarshmallows
  • 1 1/2cups (9 ounce) semisweetchocolatemorsels (chips)
  • 1/2cuppecansor walnuts, chopped (optional)
  • 1teaspoonpure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with either aluminum foil or waxed paper.

  2. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt. Over medium heat, bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Let boil, stirring constantly, for approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

  3. Stir in marshmallows, chocolate morsels, nuts, and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for approximately 1 minutes or until marshmallows are completely melted.

  4. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared baking pan. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm. When firm, lift from pan and remove foil. Using a sharp knife, cut the fudge into squares.

Troubleshooting Soft Fudge:

Scrape the fudge back into a saucepan and add 1 1/2 cups of water. Place it over low heat and stir until the fudge has dissolved and is blended with the water.
Increase the heat to medium and bring it to a boil for an additional 4 to 5 minutes (or until temperature reaches 244 degrees F with a candy thermometer) , washing down the sides of the pan frequently with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals. Remove the fudge from the heat and taste carefully. You might need to add more vanilla flavoring, as the old flavor will now be diluted. Stir the fudge until it loses some of its gloss and thicken noticeably before you pour it into the pan.

Storage – How To Store Fudge:

No Fail Chocolate Fudge Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2)Room Temperature:Fudge stored at room temperature in an air-tight container will last 7 to 14 days. Fudge should be stored in an air-tight container (tin or plastic), each layer separated by a sheet of waxed paper. Fudge stored in an air-tight container at room temperature will “ripen” over the first 24 hours.

Refrigerator:Fudge stored in the refrigerator can last 2 to 3 weeks when kept in an air-tight container.

Freezer:Frozen fudgewill keep for months if wrapped in waxed paper, then again in aluminum foil, and stored in an air-tight container. Wrap each individual slice or the entire box with plastic or aluminum foil and seal thoroughly. Properly wrapped it should keep for several months. Leave fudge in its wrapping for at least two hours upon removal from the freezer to permit it to return to room temperature.


Fudge Variations Ideas:

Milk Chocolate Fudge
Substitute 1 3/4 cups (11.5-ounce package) Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semisweet Chocolate Morsels.

Butterscotch Fudge
Substitute 1 2/3 cups (11-ounce package) Butterscotch Flavored Morsels for Semisweet Chocolate Morsels.

Peanut-Chocolate Fudge
Substitute 1 2/3 cups (11-ounce package) Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semisweet Chocolate Morsels and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts for pecans or walnuts.

Related Recipes

Categories:

Chocolate and Bark Candies Chocolate Recipes Fudge Recipes

Comments and Reviews

22 Responses to “No Fail Chocolate Fudge Recipe”

  1. Deng Santos

    Me and Adi Yapyuco at DDB totally love fudge.

    Reply

    • Kathy craft

      Pizza cutter works great for cutting the fudge.I just made this recipe and its the bomb.Thanks my husband never liked fudge,he said it’s always to rich.this he loves.

      Reply

      • Sharon Urschel

        I tried your tip on using the pizza cutter to cut the fudge. It works out so well, pieces were more uniform size and it is so much easier than using a knife. Thanks for the great tip 🙂

        Reply

  2. Debbie

    I’ve been looking for my ex MIL fudge recipe for years. This is very much like it, but I am disappointed that it didn’t set enough. I have to use a spoon as it won’t cut into squares.

    Reply

  3. Kelly

    Do I have to use marshmallows

    Reply

  4. Christine

    After Messing up 3 other batches from 3 different recipes THIS ONE WORKED!!!!! Omg thank you sooo much! My holiday hits are now complete!!
    I actually used 1 marshmallow creme jar instead of mini marshmallows (as requested). Omg all I can say is Delish! They are lighter than expected to be?? I don’t care i have fudge!!!! 👏🏼

    Reply

  5. Tina Bonnewell

    Please do share Thx TLB

    Reply

    • Carolyn Cook

      How big a jar of the marshmallow crème did you use?

      Reply

    • John Pruitt

      There are usually only two sizes available in the supermarket. Virtually all recipes call for the smaller size. It’s what I use and it is terrific!

      Reply

  6. JuliaAnn Bruenderman

    As anyone used white chips?

    Reply

  7. Laura S.

    I have used a variety of chips and it works with all of them.

    Reply

  8. Carly

    Do you need to prepare the evaporated milk, or just use the flakes?

    Reply

    • Whats Cooking America

      This recipe calls for canned evaporated milk.

      Reply

  9. Jennifer

    My fudge isn’t getting hard. It’s like goopy? Help!

    Reply

    • Whats Cooking America

      It sounds like your fudge was not heated long enough. Here’s a suggestion to try and salvage your batch: If your fudge will not set after heating and stirring, and it does not have a grainy texture, you have cooled your fudge properly, but you did not heat it to high enough a temperature during the cooking stage. To reset soft fudge, return it to the pot and add in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of water per batch of fudge.

      Reply

      • Tamara uriarte

        And reheat for 4 minutes again? Mine failed as well

        Reply

        • Whats Cooking America

          Troubleshooting soft fudge: Scrape the fudge back into a saucepan and add 1 1/2 cups of water. Place it over low heat and stir until the fudge has dissolved and is blended with the water.
          Increase the heat to medium and bring it to a boil for an additional 4 to 5 minutes (or until temperature reaches 244 degrees F with a candy thermometer) , washing down the sides of the pan frequently with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals. Remove the fudge from the heat and taste carefully. You might need to add more vanilla flavoring, as the old flavor will now be diluted. Stir the fudge until it loses some of its gloss and thicken noticeably before you pour it into the pan.

          Reply

  10. Pamela Thurston

    Is there an easy fudge not made with marsh mallows or fluff?

    Reply

  11. Heather

    Something went wrong, huge fail! I followed the recipe to a T, and as soon as the marshmallows and chips were melted the fudge turn very dry and crumbly. I still put it in the Pan and have it in the fridge but I do not think it is going to turn out. Could the weather be a factor, huge cold front moving in tonight?

    Reply

  12. Liz

    This was really easy to make. My 4 and 2 year olds helped and it came out really delish! Will make this again and try adding different things to it next time. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  13. Deborah

    This is the best fudge ,and turns out perfect every time…

    Reply

  14. EW

    Altitude cooking requires a temp rather than time due to differences in boiling point–what temperature do you recommend?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

No Fail Chocolate Fudge Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good 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

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.

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

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

Cooking. Cooking is necessary to dissolve sugar crystals and to evaporate part of the water in the cream. The length of this step has a direct impact on the firmness of the fudge. As water gradually evaporates, sugar is concentrated and the temperature of the mixture rises above 100°C (212°F).

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

How do you keep fudge creamy? ›

So, the key to smooth yet firm fudge, pralines, and fondant is to first bring the mixture to a high enough concentration and then let it cool off somewhat before starting to stir. And once you do start to stir, stir fanatically and without stopping for the finest, creamiest texture.

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.

What makes fudge softer? ›

Undercooked. This fudge was cooked until the temperature reached only108 °C (226 °F). At this temperature, the sugar is not concentrated enough... there is too much leftover water in the syrup and the resulting fudge is soft.

What causes fudge not to harden? ›

However, homemade fudge doesn't always set up into a semi-firm, melt-in-your-mouth confection. If your fudge doesn't firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn't reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.

What happens if you over stir fudge? ›

Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to a boil, do not stir it. If you do, the sugar can crystallize, giving your fudge a gritty texture. As you beat the fudge, pay attention to color and texture. Once the fudge loses its sheen and thickens, put down your spoon.

Can you mess up fudge? ›

Grainy Fudge

The sugars probably crystallized, a common mistake when making candy like fudge or caramel. If the melting sugar splashes onto the sides of the pan, it turns back into crystals and causes the fudge to seize up. To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon.

Can you redo fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 4) If you think the reason it didn't set was because you didn't heat it to the right temperature, you could try putting it back into the pan and re-cooking.

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!

When should I stop beating fudge? ›

One of the most difficult steps in making fudge is knowing when to stop beating. Once the candy becomes thick and almost holds its shape when dropped from the spoon, it's time to quickly stir in the nuts and push the mixture into the prepared pan (Step 8).

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

What keeps fudge from getting hard? ›

If you let your fudge get too hot, the sugars will start to concentrate and the fudge will be crumbly, dull, and hard. To fix it, put it back into the saucepan and add about 3–4 US tbsp (44–59 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the mixture as you heat it until the sugar in the fudge is melted.

Why won t my fudge go hard? ›

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.

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