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!
Gregory Gordon Sr
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.
Valentina
I'd like to try this recipe but I'm scared of the amount of sugar. 7 cups?? Can I use less? Thanks
Krissy
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.
Anonymous
Hey what should I change in this to make a vanilla version?
Krissy
I have a wonderful vanilla fudge recipe, but it's not a quick microwave version like this one. https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/vanilla-fudge/
Bruce Hilton
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
Sylvia Brooks
Would like this to go to my Pinterest Recipes, is that possible?
Krissy
You bet! You should be able to pin any of the photos. I like to use the Pinterest chrome extension for easy pinning.
Sam
Hi I dont have cocoa powder is there anything I can substitute it with?
Krissy
I've only ever made this with cocoa powder
Deanna
32 oz equals 4 standard measuring cups. How so you get to 7 or8 cups. Is that after sifting?
Krissy
Yeah... powdered sugar isn't a straight oz to cup measurement.
Ronel
Can I leave out the cocoa powder
Krissy
It won't be chocolate fudge if you do.
Alesha angelo
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!!!!
Kathy Anderson
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
Krissy
Yeah, a few drops of peppermint goes a long way. Next time!
Donna
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?
Krissy
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!
P. Simmons
Do you use 2 teaspoons of vanilla or 2 tablespoons for this recipe?
Krissy
Tablespoons, but I really like vanilla. You don't have to use that much if you don't want.
Cindy S.
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.
Cathy
Made a half batch last night it came out perfect!
Thank you Krissy!
Dottie Craiglow
I've probably made this 50 times with many variations ...pecans, chunks of peanut butter fudge, mint flavored M&Ms (with mint instead vanilla flavoring,crushed cookies, mini marshmallows ... the list goes on and on. My favorite go-to recipe for "goodies" in a hurry!
Hannah
I made this recipe a few weeks ago and it turned out perfectly. Then I decided to try to make it vegan and that also worked out perfectly. I'm not vegan but I am dairy free because of dairy issues, that's why I decided to try it vegan. I still used all of the instructions and measurements though. It was wonderful both times.
Rita
Hey Krissy,
I made your fudge today and it turned out perfectly!!! I’m making more tomorrow to pass out to neighbors, friends and family in hopes of redeeming myself for burning my kitchen to the ground while making Pop-tarts!! I just know that as soon as your amazing fudge passes their lips that this black cloud of ridicule that has followed me for years will dissipate and people will once again allow me to assist in their kitchens on holidays and special events. Who am I kidding...no one’s going to believe I made this!
Oh yah, we live in Colorado, 7200’ elevation, so for those who were wondering if that would have an effect, no, not on your recipe, I followed it to the letter.
Thank you Krissy, you’ve made my holiday season bright!! Rita
Krissy
Great comment!!! Thank you so much! Happy holidays!
Debbie
I am wanting to add peanut butter but don't know how much to add. Can you help?
Krissy
Hi Debbie, I've never added peanut butter, but I would recommend reducing the butter and maybe replacing with peanut butter? I've only ever made this fudge and peanut butter fudge, not together (but they would be awesome swirled!) https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/easy-peanut-butter-fudge/
Sheila
I made this fudge last night. Best fudge ever! It was easy and so quick. I probably should have sifted the powdered sugar because it was lumpy. I immediately used my mixer and then poured it into my prepared pan. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Jennifer houchens
I just made this & it turned out AMAZING!!! I'm so happy.. I'd love to figure out how to use peanut butter instead of cocoa to make peanut butter fudge
Krissy
Hi Jennifer, Try this recipe for peanut butter fudge: https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/easy-peanut-butter-fudge/ You'll love it!
Tanya
This recipe is amazing !!! It came out perfect. No clumps or lumps.. started to set immediately. Love it! It will become a staple at my house for sure. I also tried almonds..not crazy about walnuts lol..but still amazing nonetheless.
Gins
Hi!
Can i use evaporated milk and dutch cocoa powder?
Thanks!
Krissy
Dutch cocoa powder - YES. Evaporated milk - I'm not entirely sure. I've never tried it. If you give it a go, will you let me know if it works?
Hank
Wow. This should be bookmarked. Thanks for your sharing this recipe. I will try this out soon.
Alexandra
Even though I'm on a diet; I'm partial to a piece of chocolate cake. It looks so yummy. I think it's worth trying.