Easy Fudge Recipe without Condensed Milk (2024)

Kevin Is Cooking | Course | Desserts | Easy Fudge Recipe without Condensed Milk

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published Dec 03, 2021

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My easy fudge recipe without condensed milk is amazing! Deliciously creamy no cook no fail fudge, made with powdered sugar. Make it for Christmas- it only takes 15 minutes!

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OK, who doesn’t love chocolate desserts? I can’t resist them, especially during the holidays. My mom made this Christmas fudge every year and it’s a family favorite recipe. The consistency reminds me a lot of the popular See’s fudge. Beyond the creaminess, there are many other things to love about this dessert, though.

Why make this easy fudge recipe?

There are thousands of other fudge recipes out there, so why make this one? Well, because my recipe really is the easiest one that doesn’t use condensed milk. It’s also the creamiest, and best tasting chocolate fudge that I’ve eaten.

  • Rich and creamy

If you’ve eaten rich desserts before, just wait until you try this one. This chocolate fudge is sinfully decadent! Keep reading to learn what the secrets are to creating that super-rich chocolatey flavor and creamy consistency.

By the way, if you’re crazy for decadent desserts like I am, be sure to check out my recipes for chewy chocolate peanut butter cookies and chocolate creme brulee. All I have to say is, be sure to have a tall glass of milk on standby.

  • No condensed milk

I should note that this fudge recipe without condensed milk is NOT dairy free. There is butter involved, as well as chocolate, but you can easily substitute plant-based ingredients for the dairy products.

Plant based butter is a great option, and there are a few brands of dairy free chocolate available. If you want or need a completely dairy free vegan fudge, check out this recipe for mocha almond fudge. It’s gluten free too.

  • No cook, no fail fudge

Learning how to make fudge the traditional way takes a lot of practice. You have to cook the sugar and chocolate with precise measurements, and the timing is crucial.

Also, you need the sugar to crystallize just enough to make a creamy fudge, but overcooking sugar is easy to do, and it has tragic results.

I’m telling you, this is a no fail fudge, because there’s no cooking involved. It’s so quick, you can have a batch ready in 15 minutes; perfect for Christmas!

Ready to make fudge the easy way? Let’s do this!

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Ingredient notes and substitutions

  • Chocolate – There aren’t very many ingredients in this fudge recipe, so be sure to use the best quality chocolate you can afford. I use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you could also grate down a bar or block. If you prefer dark chocolate, go for it; any type or variety works fine.
  • Powdered sugar – This is also known as confectioner’s sugar. The non-granulated consistency of the sugar is one of the reasons why this is such a creamy chocolate fudge.
  • Eggs – This is where all of you seasoned Christmas fudge makers will start shaking your head in disbelief. EGGS in fudge? Say what?

    I can’t explain the science behind how or why using eggs instead of condensed milk works. All I can say is that making a fudge recipe without condensed milk and with eggs will get you plenty of attention… and requests for the recipe.

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  • Nuts – These are completely optional because sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. Walnuts, pecans, cashews, or any other nut of your choice works.

    Just be sure to chop the nuts into very small pieces so they don’t overpower the flavor of your chocolate fudge.

    You could even customize this easy fudge recipe with other add-ins like mini marshmallows, dried fruit, or candies like mini M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces. It’s Christmas fudge… go crazy and use whatever will strike Santa’s fancy.

Another flavorful Christmas fudge recipe

If you’re into experimenting with traditional flavors of fudge, be sure to check out my recipe for pumpkin rocky road microwave fudge. Instead of using traditional rocky road ingredients, I use holiday inspired ingredients like pumpkin, dried cranberries and nuts. It’s SO good, and it’s made in the microwave!

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Easy fudge recipe notes

  • Stir gently – Remember that the fudge has powdered sugar in it, so stir slowly to avoid a sweet sugar dust storm.
  • Chill for at least 3 hours – Yes, this easy fudge recipe without condensed milk does take a while to set up. If you’re the impatient type, you can pop it in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes to start setting it up, but don’t freeze it completely.
  • Keep it refrigerated – Keeping it chilled is key to its creaminess. It dries out quickly if it’s left out at room temperature.
  • It’s VERY rich! To give you an idea of how rich this chocolate dessert is, the pan size is 8 x 8 inches, and I cut the fudge into 64 squares. They’re tiny but sinfully delicious!
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Enjoy, and happy holidays!

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This post, originally published on Kevin is Cooking Feb. 17, 2013, was last updated with new content on Dec. 3, 2021.

Easy Fudge Recipe without Condensed Milk (9)

Easy Fudge Recipe without Condensed Milk

Make this easy fudge recipe without condensed milk for a creamy, rich chocolate dessert. Even better, it's no cook fudge, made in 15 mins!

Servings: 64 servings

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over medium-low or low heat.

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and eggs, mixing well but carefully, as it dusts up quite a bit!

  • Add the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla extract to the bowl with powdered sugar and eggs. Mix thoroughly to incorporate

  • Add the nuts if desired and mix to thoroughly incorporate.

  • With a spatula, pour chocolate fudge mixture into a well-greased 8×8" pan. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until firm. Slice into (64) bite sized pieces and serve. Refrigerate when it's not being served.

Notes

  1. The risk of getting salmonella from a raw egg is about 1 in 20,000. Pasteurized egg products are an excellent alternative to raw eggs. The eggs are pasteurized right in the shell using patented all-natural processes to kill the bacteria effectively so that salmonella is no longer an issue. So, pasteurized eggs are completely safe to use uncooked. There is a great way to do it yourself if you can’t find them at your market. Read about it here from my friend Liz, over at her blog, Sugar Geek Show.
  2. Nutrition shown is per piece of fudge without nuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Author: Kevin Is Cooking

Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!

Easy Fudge Recipe without Condensed Milk (10)

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

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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

Is fudge better with condensed milk or evaporated milk? ›

I suggest sticking with the regular version and skipping the fat-free kind. Make sure that you grab a can of sweetened condensed milk and NOT evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is thick and sweet and will give you the proper consistency for this fudge.

What is a substitute for whole milk in fudge? ›

Evaporated milk is used to richen the texture of the fudge. Using milk as a substitute is fine, the texture will just be a little less rich. Almond milk is a decent substitute too.

Is condensed milk just evaporated milk with sugar? ›

Condensed milk is evaporated milk that typically has sweetener added, so much so that the terms 'condensed milk' and 'sweetened condensed milk' are used interchangeably. Sugar is added before canning; condensed milk is very sweet and contains about 40 to 45 percent sugar.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

While you ultimately want crystals to form, it's important that they don't form too early. The key to successful, nongrainy fudge is in the cooling, not the cooking. The recipe calls for heating the ingredients to the soft-ball stage, or 234° F, then allowing it to cool undisturbed to approximately 110° F.

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.

What is traditional fudge made of? ›

At its simplest, fudge is a dense, soft candy, often made with sugar and dairy products like butter and milk. Nowadays, fudge is usually flavored with chocolate, but you can utilize pretty much any flavor, such as peanut butter, pumpkin, even birthday cake.

What is a substitute for evaporated milk in fudge? ›

Substitute Heavy Cream for Evaporated Milk

Or, If you have both cream and regular milk on hand, thin the cream to make your own half-and-half. Whisk together equal parts of cream and milk and use the same amount called for in your recipe.

What can I use if I don't have enough milk for a recipe? ›

Milk in most recipes hydrates the dry ingredients and adds flavor, and there are plenty of substitutes that can do just that without compromising the final result.
  1. Half and half. ...
  2. Heavy cream. ...
  3. Nondairy milks, like soy and almond. ...
  4. Sour cream. ...
  5. Yogurt. ...
  6. Evaporated milk. ...
  7. Canned coconut milk. ...
  8. Water.
Dec 3, 2021

Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of evaporated milk in fudge? ›

With its very similar consistency, 1 cup of heavy cream can replace 1 cup of evaporated milk in sweet and savory dishes. While the flavor will be blander than evaporated milk's unique caramelized tones, the texture will be noticeably richer.

What can be substitute for 1 cup of whole milk? ›

Dairy
FoodAmountSubstitute
Milk, whole1 cup1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1/2 cup water
Milk, whole1 cup1 cup nonfat milk, 2 1/2 tsp butter
Milk, whole1 cup1 cup skim milk, 1 tbsp melted butter
Milk, whole1 cup7/8 cup skim milk, 1/8 cup heavy cream
83 more rows

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

Should you stir fudge constantly? ›

Stir Constantly: Stir the fudge mixture continuously, especially during the melting process, to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. Use Sweetened Condensed Milk: Sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness and creaminess to fudge, creating a smooth texture.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

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.

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