Five Minute Microwave Fudge is a quick, sinfully delicious, easy homemade fudge recipe. It is sure to become a holiday favorite as well as a quick fix if you have a sweet tooth!
Why this recipe works:
I've been making this holiday treat for Christmas every year. The recipe has been viewed over 1 million times! It's about as sweet as Granny's Monkey Bread, which also gets made every year during the holidays.
This recipe is exactly how my grandma used to make it when I was a kid.
Unlike many traditional fudge recipes that are cooked on a stove with a candy thermometer, this fudge is made using only the microwave and the recipe really couldn't be easier.
This recipe truly only takes minutes to make!
How to make it:
- First step is to whisk together the cocoa powder and confectioners sugar (photo 1) in a large microwave safe bowl. Try to eliminate any lumps.
- Next you'll add the butter and milk but you will not stir it (photo 2). You will then microwave it on high for a few minutes until the butter has fully melted (photo 3). You will then need to quickly stir it until well combined.
- At this point the walnuts and vanilla extract can be stirred in (photo 4).
- The warm fudge is then poured onto a foil lined baking sheet (photo 5). Once it sets, you can transfer it to a cutting board to cut into individual pieces (photo 6).
Recipe Tips:
- All microwaves perform differently so be sure check on the mixture and stop cooking as soon as all the butter has melted.
- For all fudge recipes that call for confectioners' sugar, sifting your sugars will help you avoid lumps. This step is additional but recommended if either your sugar or cocoa powder has lumps.
- Whole milk is recommended, although lowfat or nonfat will work. Evaporated milk in a can will also work.
Related recipes:
If you love homemade fudge as much as I do, you'll want to make these favorite recipes!
- Vanilla Fudge
- Snickers Peanut Butter Fudge
- Eggnog Fudge
- Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
- Easy Brown Butter Pecan Fudge
Recipe video below!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave me a comment below to let me know what you think!
Five Minute Microwave Fudge
CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
- 32 ounce bag powdered sugar (about 8 cups, unsifted)
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (unsifted)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cut into ½ inch cubes)
- ½ cup milk (whole milk recommended)
- 1 ½ cups raw walnuts
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet or casserole dish with foil.
- In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar and cocoa powder and stir until they seem reasonably well mixed. If the mixture seems like there are small clumps, you may sift it after its been measured.
- Pour milk over sugar mixture but do no mix. Place cubes of butter on top. Microwave on high power 3-4 minutes until the butter has almost completely melted.
- Immediately remove mixture from microwave and stir well until very well combined. You need to work fast because you want to spread the mixture while its still hot, but you want it to be fully mixed.
- Once chocolate mixture is thoroughly mixed, stir in walnuts and vanilla.
- Immediately pour warm fudge into prepared dish and spread to desired thickness. I only used about 60% of the surface of my baking sheet and made a 10x10 inch square with my fudge. It will only spread as far as you want, so make it as thick as you'd like the individual pieces to be.
- Allow to fully set at room temperature. Our house is always freezing, so it didn't take much time. If you live in a warm house, it may take several hours or even a bit of refrigeration.
- Lift foil out of dish and transfer fudge to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut squares.
- Store in airtight container.
Notes
Recipe Tips:
- All microwaves perform differently so be sure check on the mixture and stop cooking as soon as all the butter has melted.
- For all fudge recipes that call for confectioners' sugar, sifting your sugars will help you avoid lumps. This step is additional but recommended if either your sugar or cocoa powder has lumps.
- Whole milk is recommended, although lowfat or nonfat will work. Evaporated milk in a can will also work.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
I originally posted this fudge recipe in November 2014 and have since updated it to include better photos, recipe tips, and helpful information. Don't worry - I didn't change the recipe!
Randi
Can you substitute the milk with other liquids? If I use dark rum, would these be rum truffles?
Krissy
I actually think that could work! If you try it, please let me know!
James
My first time making fudge and it turned out perfect, just like the recipe. Thanks for such a simple and wonderful recipe.
Marylee
Since I prefer dark chocolate I added 2 extra teaspoons of cocoa. It cut down a bit on the sweetness but was still excellent!
Cindy
Hello,
In the video it looks like you pour sweetened condensed milk instead of whole milk into the bowl. Which one should be used? Thank you, Cindy
Krissy
It was definitely whole milk.
JOYDEE MCCORKLE
i JUST MUST TELL YOU THAT I MAKE THIS FUDGE RECIPE EVERY YEAR. I LOVE IT AND SO DOES MY FAMILY.
LAST YEAR I ENTERED IT IN A FUDGE CONTEST WITH 35 ENTRIES. ITHIS RECIPE TOOK FIRST PLACE AND I WON $100.00.
THANK YOU ! I WILL TRY AGAIN THIS YEAR..
Krissy
Love it!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Joann
Where’s is the recipe????????
Krissy
Scroll down to the bottom of any post and there's a recipe card with all the info. At the top of every post, there's also a "jump to recipe" button if you don't want to read the information in the post.
Cathy
Terrific and super easy. Thanks so much!
Claudette
I've made a million recipes and this one is flawless!
Lisa
My microwave just died - can I melt the butter on the stovetop then add it to the sugar/coco powder mixture?
Krissy
absolutely!
Mary
I just made your fudge recipe and it turned out great! I sprinkled walnuts and some red&green sugar sand on top and it is all ready for the holidays.
Thank you!