Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe

Easy no-fail chocolate fudge recipe with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and evaporated milk! It really does only take a few minutes to make the best, smooth, creamy fudge!
easy 5 minute fudge recipe on a white plate.pinitView Gallery6 photos

Easy 5 minute fudge recipe is called this because you boil the candy ingredients for 5 minutes! This foolproof fudge recipe is the one my mom learned in Home economics class about 60 years ago! Of course, she would always add nuts. I don’t because of certain nut-free dessert eaters in my house.

easy 5 minute fudge recipe on a white plate.

Easy 5 minute fudge recipe is definitely a fudge for beginners to make. There is no messing around with soft ball, hard ball candy stages. This chocolate fudge recipe does not require a candy thermometer! Just set the timer when you begin boiling the sugar, evaporated milk, butter, salt and marshmallows.

Boiling the marshmallows is imperative!

Yes, you boil the marshmallows in this recipe, don’t just stir them in at the end. This is what will create the true fudge consistency!!! The candy mixture will turn a magnificent brown color and you may get scared that you’re burning your fudge. But, don’t worry, this is normal and part of what makes this easy fudge recipe taste like authentic complicated chocolate fudge!

Chocolate chips added to boiled sugar and marshmallows.
Notice the color of the candy mixture!!

Using marshmallows and chocolate chips will always ensure a perfect fudge texture! By adding the chocolate chips after removing the candy mixture from the heat, you will prevent the chocolate from seperating and turning waxy!

easy 5 minute fudge recipe on a white plate.

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Trust me on this recipe! It really is the best easy fudge recipe out there! I have tried many different fudge recipes. Most of them turn out sometimes and flop sometimes. This easy fudge recipe is a no-fail, simple, tested and tried favorite!

Chocolate fudge with marshmallows makes one of the best Christmas gifts ever! Be prepared by making at least a double batch! Although, it’s best to make 2 seperate batches, just to make it easier to handle if you want double the fudge.

Marshmallows in Fudge!?!

When you add marshmallows to your fudge, you are guaranteeing a smooth and creamy fudge! Why? Because the egg whites and gelatin in marshmallows coat the sugar crystals as they form! Just another cool scientific cooking fact.

Why You Will LOVE Easy 5-Minute Fudge Recipe!

  • Easy no-fail recipe!
  • Fudge tastes like traditional old fashioned fudge.
  • Don’t need a candy thermometer!
  • Great for Christmas or other gifts!
  • Favorite treat of all ages!
  • Do not need a chemistry degree to make!

5 minute fudge on cutting board.

History of Fudge

The history of Fudge making is another one of those murky food histories. There is no for-sure record of how fudge came to be. One theory is that fudge is a product of a mistake. In the 1800s, a candy maker from Baltimore messed up a batch of French caramels. One of the first written records of fudge was from 1892. A letter was written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, when she was a student at Vassar College. In her letter she described how a cousin of a classmate made and sold fudge for $0.40/lb. Fudge shops started to show up around America from the late 1800s and are still going strong today!

Make some Chocolate Fudge for National Fudge Day on June 16!!

Variations

  • You can add your favorite chopped nuts.
  • You could use white chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips.
  • Can add toffee bits right before pouring.
  • Can put coconut down in the pan before pouring the fudge in.

Ingredients for 5 minute fudge recipe.

Ingredients for Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe

  • Evaporated milk, very important that you don’t use condensed. The can will say evaporated!
  • Butter, I use salted butter for the best flavor.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Salt
  • Marshmallows, large or small, these are boiled in the candy mixture. The mini marshmallows do melt quicker but either size is fine. And no, marshmallow creme or fluff will not work in this fudge recipe!
  • Vanilla extract
  • Chocolate chips, I use semi-sweet for the best chocolate fudge taste! Make sure that your chocolate chips have only these ingredients: Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin,natural Flavour. I actually use No Name semi sweet chocolate chips and they work fine. No need to be buying some expensive name that contains the exact same ingredients as the store brand. I really did compare ingredients in the no name and other expensive brands and they are NO DIFFERENT!! For real! There are imitation chocolate chips (healthy version) but they will have all kinds of different ingredients than the “real mccoy”.

How to Make Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe

1.Line a 9″x13″ pan with parchment paper and measure all ingredients out before starting.

Ingredients for 5 minute fudge recipe.

2. In a medium large, heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the evaporated milk, butter, sugar, salt, and marshmallows on high. Stir constantly until boiling.

Candy mixture melting for chocolate fudge.

3. Turn down to medium heat and boil for 5 minutes.

Candy part of the 5 minute fudge recipe being boiled.

4. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously until the fudge is no longer shiny.

Mixing the chocolate chips and the vanilla into the chocolate fudge.

5. Pour into the prepared pan and cool thoroughly.

Finished chocolate fudge in a dish with parchment paper.

6. Once the fudge is completely cooled and firm. Take it out of the pan and cut into 60-80 small squares.

5 minute fudge on cutting board.

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Other Sweet Treats to Try

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Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe

Easy 5 minute fudge recipe is called this because you boil the candy ingredients for 5 minutes! There is no messing around with soft ball, hard ball candy stages. This chocolate fudge recipe does not require a candy thermometer! Just set the timer when you begin boiling the sugar, evaporated milk, butter, salt and marshmallows.

Prep Time10 minsCook Time10 minsRest Time1 hrTotal Time1 hr 20 minsDifficulty:BeginnerServings:60Calories:92Best Season:Winter

Ingredients

Instructions

Video
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How to Make Easy 5 Minute Fudge

  1. Line a 9"x13" pan with parchment paper and measure all ingredients out before starting.

    Ingredients for 5 minute fudge recipe.
  2. In a medium large, heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the evaporated milk, butter, sugar, salt, and marshmallows on high. Stir constantly until boiling.

    Candy mixture melting for chocolate fudge.
  3. Turn down to medium heat and boil for 5 minutes.

    Candy part of the 5 minute fudge recipe being boiled.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously until the fudge is no longer shiny.

    Mixing the chocolate chips and the vanilla into the chocolate fudge.
  5. Pour into the prepared pan and cool thoroughly.

    Finished chocolate fudge in a dish with parchment paper.
  6. Once the fudge is completely cooled and firm. Take it out of the pan and cut into 60-80 small squares.

    5 minute fudge on cutting board.
Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 square

Servings 60


Amount Per Serving
Calories 92kcal
Calories from Fat 25kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2.8g5%
Sodium 41mg2%
Potassium 15mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 16g6%
Dietary Fiber 0.6g3%
Sugars 14.69g
Protein 0.8g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

  • Be sure to use a larger pan than you think you might need.
  • Use a heavy bottomed pan to avoid scorching your fudge.
  • For the easiest cutting, lift the parchment paper out of the pan with the fudge.
  • Completely cool before cutting the fudge. You can put it in the refrigerator to chill faster.
  • Try not to stir once the sugar mixture is boiling.
  • Be very sure to use evaporated milk, not condensed milk!

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
Do I need a candy thermometer to make Easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe?

You do not need a candy thermometer to make this easy chocolate fudge. I have never used a thermometer and this recipe always turns out😊

Can I grease the pan instead of line it with parchment paper for this fudge recipe?

You can grease the pan instead of using parchment paper but the fudge will not cut as nicely and may seem a little greasy.

Can Easy 5 Minute Fudge be frozen?

Yes, you can keep this fudge up to 4 months in the freezer. Store in a sealed container with waxed paper or parchment paper between the layers.

What is the best way to store easy Chocolate Fudge?

You can store fudge on the counter in a sealed container for up to a week. To store longer, freeze it to keep the fresh taste.

How long should you let fudge set up before cutting?

Let the fudge sit for about 2-3 hours before cutting it. If you want to cut it sooner, then you could cool it in the refrigerator.

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Rebekah Callahan

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