Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (2024)

JUMP TO RECIPE

This tried and true, old fashioned chocolate fudge recipe will never let you down. Never Fail Fudge turns out perfectly rich, smooth and creamy each and every time you make it. Made with chocolate chips, marshmallow fluff and heavy cream, it is never grainy, and always delicious.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (1)

Isn’t it crazy to think that the holidays are just right around the corner? Once that happens, you will see all sorts of recipes for fudge. But I am here today to save you from all of those other unnecessary fudge recipes. I have you covered with this old fashioned Never Fail Fudge Recipe – and it’s the last you’ll ever need.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (2)

Sure – it sounds like I am boasting, and maybe I am a little bit. But it really is that good. And those people tell you that you can only eat fudge at Christmastime, you don’t need that negativity in your life anyway.

This easy fudge recipe here turns out perfect every. single. time. I can attest to that because I have made it a lot. It truly is the best fudge recipe. I promise.

I received free sugar from Imperial Sugar in exchange for writing this post. All opinions are my own.

SOME OF THE ITEMS BELOW CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS; I AM A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES. I AM ALSO AN AFFILIATE FOR OTHER BRANDS. HOWEVER, I ONLY PROMOTE THINGS THAT I LOVE AND THINK YOU WILL LOVE, TOO.FOR MY ENTIRE DISCLOSURE POLICY PLEASECLICK HERE.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (3)

This post is my final chocolate recipe share this week for our group #Choctoberfest . It’s been a delicious week FULL of chocolate recipes and I decided to save this luscious fudge for last.

WHAT IS CHOCTOBERFEST?

#Choctoberfest is an annual recipe-sharing event. As I mentioned, I’m joining other food bloggers from around the world to create delicious chocolate recipes. This year, over 70 bloggers are joining together for a week full of chocolate cakes, pies, cookies, puddings, tarts, candies, and more. You can follow along by searching for the hashtag #Choctoberfest on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (4)

For this fudge recipe, I used Imperial Sugar. They are always a generous sponsor of this event. Look at the fun measuring cups and baking mat they sent, in addition to a good supply of sugar.

What is Fudge Made Of?

Homemade fudge is a chocolate candy that has been made for over a century. Back in 1880, it became a popular homemade candy due to the fact that you could make homemade fudge with no special tools, and the basic recipe used butter, sugar and milk. All things that were on hand and economical. too.

Over the years, ingredients have changed, some use marshmallow fluff like I do, some use sweetened condensed milk. My chocolate fudge recipe uses heavy cream. Some recipes call for cocoa powder, where this recipe uses chocolate chips.

Using the chocolate chips gives you the ability to make your fudge recipe semi-sweet, as I do, or milk chocolate over even dark chocolate. You could even toss in part peanut butter chips to give it a whole new flavor level.

Ingredients in Never Fail Fudge:

  • sugar
  • cream, milk
  • butter
  • marshmallow cream
  • chocolate chips
  • nuts if desired

In a saucepan over medium heat cook sugar, butter and cream until it reaches medium soft ball stage – 236 degrees F. Be patient. It takes about 30 minutes. Watch closely and stir frequently. Don’t be surprised when it bubbles up. It’s fun! Kind of like a science experiment!

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (5)

In the past, I have always used an old candy thermometer. They are so NOT user friendly. This year, life got easier when I used my Thermapen Mk4 . I had no idea that a thermometer like this, that I typically use for meat, would work so well with candy. It’s amazing because it reads almost instantly.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (6)

There was no trying to rig the little clip on the side of the pan, make sure it wasn’t touching the bottom but was in the candy far enough to read…blah blah blah. Every once in awhile I stuck it into the candy mixture to test the temperature. When it read 236 degrees, I removed it from the heat.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (7)

Have your marshmallow cream and your semi-sweet chocolate chips ready to go in.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (8)

Stir the chips and marshmallow cream into the warm mixture.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (9)

From here you will pour it into a 9×13 pan, lined with buttered parchment paper.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (10)

Spread it evenly in the pan. Chill until set.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (11)

Pull up on the ends of the parchment paper and transfer the fudge to a cutting board to cut into squares. I got about 63 pieces of fudge, but I didn’t cut them super small. You could cut them quite small and it would go a long long way.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (12)

This fudge can be made ahead and frozen. It also travels really well. I box it up and place sheets of waxed paper in between the layers.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (13)

^LOVE IT? PIN IT!^

Like I said before, fudge isn’t just for Christmas. I decided to show you just how easy it is to make it for all sorts of holidays.

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (14)

Halloween Fudge!

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (15)

Christmas Fudge!

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (16)

(my personal favorite) Valentine’s Day Fudge!

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (17)

Changing up the sprinkles for holidays makes that all pretty easy. Plus, it gives you an excuse to eat fudge year round! 😉

Speaking of fudge, I have several other fudge recipes right here. Nothing like this. but that gives you all sorts of options, right?

An Affair from the Heart Fudge Recipes:

  • Eggnog Fudge
  • Grinch Fudge (white chocolate fudge)
  • Mint Fudge
  • Snickers Candy Bar Fudge
  • Caramel, Toffee, Pecan Fudge
  • York Peppermint Patty Fudge

See All of My Candy Recipes

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (18)

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (19)

Once you make this perfect fudge recipe, you’ll quit looking at all of the others! What do you say we get to the recipe for Grandma’s Never Fail Fudge? Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (20)

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (21)

4.42 from 123 votes

Print Recipe

Never Fail Fudge

This tried and true, old fashioned recipe for Never Fail Fudge won't ever let you down. It turns out perfectly rich and creamy each and every time you make it.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Additional Time2 hours hrs

Total Time2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Course: Candy

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best, chocolate chips, chocolate fudge, creamy fudge, easy to. make fudge, Fudge, fudge candy, fudge with marshmallow fluff, fudge without condensed milk, Grandma's fudge, homemade, How do I make fudge? old fashioned, how to make the best fudge, never fail, not grainy, old fashioned fudge, perfect fudge, recipe, traditional fudge

Servings: 9 x13 pan

Calories: 83kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 1 7 ounce container marshmallow fluff
  • 1 12 ounce package semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup nuts optional

Instructions

  • Line a 9x13 baking dish with buttered parchment paper. Set aside.

  • In a good sized sauce pan, heat butter, sugar, milk and cream. Stir frequently and watch closely. When temperature reaches 236 degrees F (medium soft ball stage) remove it from the heat.

  • Stir in marshmallow fluff and chocolate chips until smooth.

  • Spread into prepared pan.

  • Chill for a couple of hours in the fridge, until set.

  • Remove by lifting the edges of the parchment. Remove paper and cut into squares. Store in a cool place. Can be frozen in an airtight container.

Notes

Freezes and ships well.

Nutrition

Serving: 2pieces | Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 19mg | Sugar: 11g

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (22)

Perfect Never Fail Fudge Recipe - An Old Fashioned Family Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Use Evaporated Milk- Make sure to use evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk. If you accidentally use sweetened condensed milk your fudge will be incredibly over the top sweet. Cut up the Butter– Before adding the butter in make sure to cut it into smaller pieces for faster melting.

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

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.

Should you stir fudge while it's 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.

How do you make fudge firmer? ›

Technically, “fudge” is simply cooked sugar. Cook your sugar a few degrees higher and your product will likely be a bit firmer.

What not to do when making fudge? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

If you continue stirring once the mixture is simmering, you are encouraging the development of sugar crystals. While crystallization is the goal if you're making hard candy, crunchy sugar bits can quickly ruin a fudge's silky smooth texture.

How do you make fudge not crumbly? ›

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.

How do you keep homemade fudge from being grainy? ›

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.

Why won't my condensed milk fudge set? ›

It sounds like your fudge simply wasn't heated enough. Fudge is basically a superconcentrated syrup, and it sets when sugar dissolved in the water (from the butter and milk) comes out of solution as the mixture cools and forms crystals.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

Evaporated milk has added sugar and carbohydrates which are very high, making sweetened condensed milk not healthy for nutritional intake for babies and children, Ali explained.

Why won t my condensed milk fudge set? ›

The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.

Can you reboil fudge that hasn't set? ›

Don't panic if your fudge is grainy, nothing is lost it just requires some more work. Pop the grainy fudge back into the pan along with some water and a little cream and melt the fudge back down to a liquid and re-boil it to temperature.

Why is fudge so hard to make? ›

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. A temperature of 112°C to 114°C (234°F to 237°F) must be maintained. This will ensure the fudge has the ideal concentration of water and sugar. Fudge is difficult to make.

Why did my fudge turn out like caramel? ›

Fudge can turn into caramel due to overcooking or undercooking, incorrect temperatures, or wrong ingredients.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

It's the size of sugar crystals that makes the knees of fudge lovers buckle…the smaller the crystals, the less they are perceived on the tongue and the more the fudge tastes smooth and creamy. Cooking, and beating after cooking, is the key to successful fudge.

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.

Can you overbeat fudge? ›

Beating the cooled batter is one of the crucial steps of fudge-making, but overbeating can turn fudge hard as a rock. Pay close attention to the change in appearance and only beat the fudge until it loses its glossy sheen.

What thickens fudge? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6316

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.