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If you’re looking for a super quick and simple chocolate fudge recipe, look no further! My Five Minute Microwave Fudge is one of my most popular recipes during the holidays because it tastes SO GOOD and literally anyone can make it – it’s that easy!
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 recipe, which also gets made every year during the holidays.
This has always been one of my favorite fudge recipes, but my brown butter pecan fudge and peanut butter fudge (also made in the microwave oven) are always a hit too!
And don’t take my word for it… just read the hundreds of comments from readers who also love this easy microwave fudge recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple ingredients: All you need is powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, butter, milk, walnuts, and vanilla extract. You don’t even need to mess around with melted chocolate chips! These pantry staples come together in perfect harmony to create a velvety, indulgent treat.
- Easy to make: The magic happens in a large microwave-safe bowl, eliminating the need for complex tools like candy thermometers or a double boiler traditionally used when making homemade fudge.
- Holiday treat: If you were looking for an easy fudge recipe that you can include in your Christmas cookie tins, this is the best fudge that will satisfy any sweet tooth!
How to Make Microwave Fudge
Step 1: Whisk together the cocoa powder and confectioners sugar in a large microwave safe bowl. Try to eliminate any lumps. You can always sift the sugar and cocoa powder to eliminate any lumps, if you want.
Step 2: Add the butter and milk but do not stir the mixture.
Step 3: Microwave it on high for a few minutes until the butter has fully melted. You will then need to quickly stir the fudge until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Stir in the walnuts and vanilla extract.
Step 5: The warm fudge is then poured onto an aluminum foil lined baking sheet or square pan.
Step 6: Once the pan of creamy fudge sets, you can transfer it to a cutting board to cut it into individual pieces.
Recipe Tips
- Sifting the confectioners’ sugar and the cocoa powder is an optional step. It’s not necessary, but should be done if your sugar has lumps.
- You only need to microwave it long enough to melt the butter. To be on the safe side, you can always microwave in 30-second intervals to ensure the mixture is heated gently.
FAQs
Nope! I prefer nuts because of the flavor and the crunch, but you can leave them out of the recipe.
Certainly! Cut the fudge into bite-sized pieces, store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers, and enjoy for days.
Absolutely! Add peppermint extract for a minty twist. Feel free to mix in crushed Oreo cookies, coconut flakes, mini marshmallows, candy canes, peanut butter chips, etc. for variety.
Yes, regular whole milk is my preference, but evaporated milk or lowfat milk also work great.
The microwave fudge comes together in minutes. All you need is about 10-minutes, start to finish, not counting the time it takes to set.
Certainly! Adjust the quantities accordingly and use a larger microwave-safe bowl for doubling the recipe. Pour the fudge onto a baking sheet or use two 10-inch pans.
No, this microwave fudge recipe eliminates the need for a candy thermometer. The microwave does all the work for you.
Yes, you can freeze leftover fudge in a freezer bag. I happily enjoy a bite here and there when it’s still frozen, or you can thaw before enjoying.
Christmas Candy Recipes
If you love making treats during the holidays, you’ll also love these favorite dessert recipes!
- Vanilla Fudge
- Peanut Brittle
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Eggnog Fudge
- Peppermint Bark
- Copycat See’s Bordeaux
- Salted Vanilla Bean Caramels
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 ounces powdered sugar note: 32-oz is about 8 cups measured
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup milk whole milk recommended
- 1 1/2 cups raw walnuts
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet or casserole dish with foil.
- In a large bowl, combine 32 ounces powdered sugar and 1 cup unsweetened 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 1/2 cup 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. If unsure, you can always microwave in short intervals to avoid over cooking the mixture.
- Immediately remove mixture from microwave and stir well until thoroughly 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 the 1 1/2 cups raw walnuts and 2 tablespoons vanilla extract.
- Immediately pour the warm fudge into prepared dish and spread to desired thickness. If using a baking sheet, you can form the fudge so that it only takes up a portion of the surface. It will only spread as far as you want, so make it as thick as you'd like the individual pieces to be. Alternatively, if you use a 10×10-inch pan, it will cover the entire surface.
- Allow the fudge to fully set at room temperature. Our house is always freezing, so it doesn'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 the fudge to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares.
- Store in airtight container or plastic storage bag. Use parchment paper to separate layers, if needed.
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.
- Sifting the sugar and cocoa powder is additional and optional step, 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!
THE BEST AND EASIEST FUDGE I HAVE EVER MADE! MADE IT LAST YEAR AT HOLIDAY TIME…WILL DO I AGAIN THIS YEAR! GREG, IN CHICAGO.
I’d like to try this recipe but I’m scared of the amount of sugar. 7 cups?? Can I use less? Thanks
I know, it’s an insane amount of sugar, but because the cocoa powder is so bitter, this amount is needed to offset the taste. It will be very sweet though.
Hey what should I change in this to make a vanilla version?
I have a wonderful vanilla fudge recipe, but it’s not a quick microwave version like this one. https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/vanilla-fudge/
YES!! I have tried so many ‘easy’ recipes for Fudge and I have always managed to, at best, make Spoon Fudge! I halved the recipe just to minimize the anticipated loss…what a great way to make really good, rich, melt in your mouth Fudge. Many thanks for your help. I can see many more new recipes in the future!
~B. Hilton
Would like this to go to my Pinterest Recipes, is that possible?
You bet! You should be able to pin any of the photos. I like to use the Pinterest chrome extension for easy pinning.
Hi I dont have cocoa powder is there anything I can substitute it with?
I’ve only ever made this with cocoa powder
32 oz equals 4 standard measuring cups. How so you get to 7 or8 cups. Is that after sifting?
Yeah… powdered sugar isn’t a straight oz to cup measurement.
Can I leave out the cocoa powder
It won’t be chocolate fudge if you do.
Oh my goooooooosh YES!!!
I have tried for SO LONG to find a fudge recipe that works for me And every single attempt o have made at fudge has failed miserably, BUT THIS ONE WORKS!!!!! thank you soo much I can now enjoy fudge anytime I want!!!!
Y husband wanted peppermint fudge so o tried splitting the vanilla extract with peppermint extract, even, half and half
Well, way too much peppermint! I’ll do better next time
Yeah, a few drops of peppermint goes a long way. Next time!
Ok, it’s the 7th of September and 86° outside! Can this fydge be affected by humidity like other fudge or can it be made in Summer weather?
Sorry for the late reply! This fudge is very frosting-like, so with warmer temperatures it may seem softer than what you might get in December when I normally make it, but it will still taste amazing!
Do you use 2 teaspoons of vanilla or 2 tablespoons for this recipe?
Tablespoons, but I really like vanilla. You don’t have to use that much if you don’t want.
Super easy ! Made it exactly as wriiten but substituted with pet milk and pecans. pretty good! set up fast,
next time I will add a ounce or two of bakkers unsweet choclate for more richness perhaps only 7 cups of powder sugar since I can taste it in there..I used hersey coco powder just not rich enough for me but overall love the simplicity of making this.
Made a half batch last night it came out perfect!
Thank you Krissy!