This Easy Chocolate Fudge requires just 3 ingredients and is as popular now as it was when I first wrote the recipe about 20 years ago.
It hard to believe its 20 years since I wrote What's Cooking - Chocolate. Possible my favourite book to write (I wonder why) and test!! and I still often make recipes from it. The book was hugely sucessful and made the publishers a fortune, though sadly not me as I was on a fixed fee. Not that I've ever minded, I write recipes because I love to share them and nothing makes me happier than knowing people are making and enjoying my recipes. Even now I still get the occasion letter or email from people who have bought and love this book (second hand copies are still avialable on Amazon). I even had one reader write to me a year or so back, to tell me they had made every single recipe in the book. Quite something as it has 100 recipes in it. He must be my number one fan 🙂 But when another blogger tagged me on social media (Thank you Caroline at All That I'm Eating) to say she makes this recipe from the book frequently and her followers started asking for the recipe I realised that perhaps I should be sharing this and maybe one or two others on the blog.
Cheats Fudge
These days I think I would be more inclined to call this cheats fudge. It almost more a ganache and as such needs to be kept and served chilled. Imagine the fun I had shooting the photograph for the blog with temperatures in excess of 30℃ (86°F). I had to work very fast. Nonetheless it is sweet and delicious and even if not technically fudge, it is still rather good. The recipe is almost fool proof, with no sugar syrups and frantic beating of the mixture which is the norm when making fudge. Just take care not to let the mixture get too hot or it may start to split. Then again even if it does, it just affects the look of it, it still tastes fab.
Easy chocolate fudge variations
I've not made many changes to the recipe. I've lined the tin with parchment which saves the need to grease it and makes it easier to turn out and thats about it. Why tamper with something that works. The great thing is you can also vary the recipe easily. I add a little vanilla to my basic recipe but you could add some orange extract for chocolate orange fudge or use mint extract for a tasty mint variation. For a delicious chocolate peanut fudge, you can even substitute 50g (2oz)of the butter for crunchy peanut butter as I suggest in the book.
Other tips from the book: don't use milk chocolate even if you are not a fan of plain chocolate, You will find in this case it will just be too sickly. Keep for up to 1 month in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Easy Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
- 500 g plain chocolate
- 400 g can condensed milk
- 75 g butter cut into cubes
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Break the chocolate into pieces. Line a 20cm (8in) square cake tin with baking parchment.
- Place the condensed milk into a saucepan and add the butter and chocolate. Heat gently over a low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate and butter has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from the heat, beat in the vanilla extract if using, then beat for a few minutes until thickened.
- Pour into the prepared tin and level the top. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.
- Lift out the fudge and cut into squares to serve.
Tina says
Hi! I made easy chocolate fudge on 9th December, 2022. Will it still be ok to give as a Christmas present? It's stored in airtight plastic container in the fridge.@
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Fudge will keep for about 3 weeks. so it should just about be alright so long as the recipient enjoys it quickly!
Candace says
I am loving the look of this fudge. It looks so rich and decadent. Would make a lovely homemade gift at Christmas
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
Thank you Candace, yes it makes a great gift but do make sure to keep it in a cool place.
johanna @ green gourmet giraffe says
I love this sort of fudge - your photos are really beautiful and made me wish I could reach in and take a square. I have made quite a few variations but recently am taken with adding a bit of salt because it is toothachingly sweet.
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
ohh yes a little salt would be nice I do like a bit of salted chocolate.
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
I abosolutely love the ease of this recipe and I should try making it with my home made condensed milk 🙂
Jacqueline A Bellefontaine says
I've never tried making homemade condensed milk.
Natalie Dawn says
Is plain chocolate dark chocolate?
Looking forward to trying this recipe thanks x
Jacqueline A Bellefontaine says
Yes in the Uk we ten to call it plain chocolate but it is the same thing. I like this fudge made with chocolate of around 70% cocoa solids.
Choclette says
Hmmm, why don't I have a copy of your book? I have quite a big collection of books about chocolate including cookbooks. Anyway, I'm glad to have your chocolate fudge recipe. It looks fantastic and I can assure you, it wouldn't last a month in my fridge.
Thanks for joining in with the last ever #WeShouldCocoa
Jacqueline A Bellefontaine says
Ha I've no idea I've certainly seen some of my recipes from this book re used in other chocolate books too so you may still have one or two of my recipes in the chocolate books you do have..
All That I’m Eating says
So pleased you shared this recipe! I can point people in this direction when they ask me for the recipe in future. It always goes down so well.
Jacqueline A Bellefontaine says
You must be one of the 1st to have made one of my blog recipes before i even posted it. I'm so glad you like it. Thank you I'm so glad you gave me the idea to share it and thanks for sharing.
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
Wow this looks so beautifully dark and rich, yet so easy to make!
Priya Joshi says
Oh yes! I love this way of making fudge! I often make it for edible gifts and stockings at Christmas with Xmas spices!
Jacqueline A Bellefontaine says
Yes its good isnt it. I like the idea of Christmas spices a nice touch.
Corina Blum says
This looks delicious Jacqui! I do love how easy it sounds too. I know it's something that would make my kids and husband very happy if I made it!
David says
I look forward to trying this very soon! It looks, as you say very easy. - and, if it’s foolproof, I’m in!
Sorry about the heat - being a desert dweller, I understand! Love the songs you sang as the rain fell.
Jacqueline A Bellefontaine says
Thanks, David I'm sure you will like it. Best served straight from the fridge in this weather. Let me know what you think
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
I love recipes for fudge like this. They're simple but so delicious! I could do with a square (or two!) today!
Jacqueline A Bellefontaine says
I'm try very hard to resist the remainder in my fridge!