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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 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. 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 walnuts and vanilla.
- 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!
Thank you for sharing this great fudge recipe. I just made it & it turned out to be Fabulous Fudge. I was skeptical…I am used to standing over the stove and babying it for 30 minutes or so…not anymore. I followed your recipe but, I only made a half batch…being the first time. I stirred in peanut butter instead of nuts…came out fudge-a-licious! I placed it in the fridge for an hour and that was it. Again, thank you for sharing. Krissy!
This recipe looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this great fudge recipe. I just made it & it turned out to be Fabulous Fudge. I was skeptical…I am used to standing over the stove and babying it for 30 minutes or so…not anymore. I followed your recipe but, I only made a half batch…being the first time. I stirred in peanut butter instead of nuts…came out fudge-a-licious! I placed it in the fridge for an hour and that was it. Again, thank you for sharing.
I made my first attempt ever making fudge with this recipe today and it turned out pretty good. I didn’t have a sifter, so I had to improvise with a spoon and mash out the lumps by hand the best I could. I also cut the recipe in half and it made a decent amount. Thank you.
I graduated from the Cordon Bleu and was curious to see how this recipe turned out. It turned out excellent I substituted five large marshmallows and a little less sugar and add a pinch of salt very surprised and impressed
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m glad it turned out for you. And is there really any better combo than marshmallows and chocolate with a touch of salt? I think not!
Wow! Easiest fudge recipe ever! I made half the amount and it was plenty. It will be my go-to chocolate fudge recipe from now on. Thank you!
I’ve never been able to make fudge, it always turns out like frosting! But with this recipe I did it! I actually made fudge that looks like fudge! And tastes like it too! Thanks for sharing your 5 minute Microwave Fudge recipe!
Congratulations!!! And thank you for the nice comment!
I doubled the recipe added Candied Red and Green Cherries some tiny marshmallows and used pistachios Since I was making them for Christmas gifts for family, They were such a hit with my husband I ended up making 2 batches 2 to give away and one for him. They recipe is fast Versatile and QUICK What more could you want at Christmas!!! I also made a plain batch sprinkled toasted pecans on top melted some Carmel which I layered on tod then drizzled some chocolate on top
Imade fudge long ago, but lost the recipe years ago. Talking with my friend and she was talking avout my fudge so i decided to trt this recipe. It was super easy, and i forgot to put the milk in before i cooked it. As you can imagine, i thought it was ryined, but realized what i had done so i poured it in and whalah!! It was resurrected! AND it tastes absokutely amazing! Thanjs for sharing!
I have made this recipe for years except I do it in a pan on top of the stove. I melt my butter first on a low temp, add the milk, then the dry ingredients and vanilla flavoring last.. I never let it boil, just heat on low and stir until it is smooth. I immediately then pour it out on a foil lined cookie sheet and let it cool. I cut it and put it into a container and in the fridge. Always comes out perfect. I am going to try your way in the microwave and see how mine comes out. It is the best fudge ever. Once people try this, they never want any other kind!