Easy Microwave Chocolate Fudge
Every family has that one recipe that shows up at every holiday. In my family, it was this microwave chocolate fudge. It got passed around on stained recipe cards and nobody ever measured the walnuts the same way twice.
Eventually I realized this “secret family fudge” was actually one of the easiest things on earth. No boiling. No candy thermometer. No standing over a pot and praying it sets. Just stir, microwave, chill, slice, done.
Fudge itself has a pretty fun history. It started showing up in American women’s colleges in the late 1800s and quickly became a favorite dorm room treat. If you love food history, you can read more about the history of fudge here.
This is the kind of recipe you keep in your back pocket for
- Last minute neighbor gifts
- Church or school bake sales
- Christmas candy trays
- Nights when you just need a square of something rich and chocolatey after the kids finally quiet down
Make it plain for the chocolate purists or load it up with chopped walnuts for a little crunch. Either way it tastes like you spent way more time and effort than you actually did.
Ingredients for Microwave Chocolate Fudge
For one 8″x 8″ pan of fudge
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 1 quarter cup butter
- 1 cup chopped walnuts, optional
- Extra butter or nonstick spray for greasing the pan
Instructions
1. Prepare the pan
- Grease an 8 by 8 inch glass baking dish with butter or nonstick spray
- Line with parchment if you want easy lifting later, then lightly grease the parchment too
For another take on greasing and lining pans for fudge, you can check out this guide on prepping your dish for microwave fudge.
2. Melt the chocolate
- Place the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and butter in a large microwave safe bowl
- Microwave on medium power for 3 to 5 minutes total
- Stop to stir once or twice during cooking so the chocolate melts evenly and does not scorch around the edges
- When the chocolate chips are mostly melted, take the bowl out and keep stirring until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy
3. Add the nuts
- If you like nuts in your fudge, stir in the chopped walnuts until they are evenly distributed
4. Pour and chill
- Scrape the fudge mixture into your prepared 8 by 8 dish
- Smooth the top with a spatula
- Refrigerate until firm. This usually takes about 2 hours, longer if your fridge is packed with leftovers
5. Slice and serve
- Once set, lift the fudge out by the parchment if you used it
- Cut into small squares. This is rich, so small is good here
How to double the recipe
Feeding a crowd or building Christmas treat plates
- Double all ingredients
- Grease a 9 by 13 inch pan
- Follow the same steps for melting and mixing
- Spread the fudge into the 9 by 13 pan and chill until firm
- Slice into small squares and try not to eat half the pan while you package it up
Kitchen Tips and Variations for Microwave Chocolate Fudge
Make it nut free
- Skip the walnuts if you have allergies in the house or just don’t like nuts in your fudge
Add a flavor twist
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract once the chocolate is melted
- Use 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract for a holiday version
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top before chilling for a Christmas candy tray
Use different chocolate
- Go darker by swapping some of the semisweet chips for dark chocolate chips
- Prefer a milk chocolate vibe. Use part milk chocolate chips, but keep at least half semisweet so the fudge still sets well.
Tidy little topping ideas
- Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top while it is still warm
- Add a light dusting of chopped nuts only on half the pan so people can pick their favorite side
How to store microwave chocolate fudge
Short version. Keep air away from it and it will treat you right.
- Store the fudge in an airtight container
- You can keep it at cool room temperature for about 1 to 2 weeks, or in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
- Layer the pieces with wax paper or parchment so they do not stick together
For a longer deep dive on fudge storage, this article on how long fudge lasts and how to store it is helpful.
Freezing microwave chocolate fudge
- Wrap the whole slab tightly in plastic wrap
- Add a layer of foil
- Place in an airtight container or freezer bag
- Freeze for up to 3 months
- Thaw in the refrigerator so the texture stays creamy
Serve it with
This fudge is perfect on a Christmas dessert tray with cookies and other candy. Pair it with things like
Easy Microwave Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup chopped walnuts optional
- Extra butter or nonstick spray for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Grease an 8×8 inch glass baking dish and line with parchment if desired
- In a large microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and butter
- Microwave on medium power for 3 to 5 minutes, stopping to stir once or twice, until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth
- Stir in chopped walnuts if using
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan
- Refrigerate until firm
- Cut into small squares and serve
Notes
