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This See’s Fudge Recipe is the easiest, most foolproof fudge recipe ever! It never gets grainy and comes out rich and creamy every time.
Featured with this recipe
This homemade fudge recipe tastes exactly like the real, actual, classic See’s fudge recipe! It tastes just like the delicious old fashioned fudge that comes from the famous candy shop. To make sure, I made a batch, then went to See’s so I could do a side-by-side flavor comparison. Guess what? Everyone who did a taste comparison (a blind comparison I might add) with me agreed that THIS recipe tasted better! This easy fudge recipe makes beautiful gifts for Christmas or birthdays and is a fun treat to make with your kids.
Ingredients in this Fudge Recipe
This easy chocolate fudge recipe is the most foolproof recipe ever. It comes out smooth every time, never grainy. I have tried other recipes that take much longer to prepare and trust me, it is so unnecessary! You really don’t need more than 15 minutes for perfect fudge! Here’s what you need:
- Milk chocolate – I use two 8-ounce Hershey bars broken into pieces.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – 24 ounces (or two bags). I use the Guittard brand but any of your favorites will work.
- Butter – melted
- Marshmallow fluff – one jar (or about 7 ounces)
- Sugar – Yes, 4 ½ cups is a lot. But life is all about having little treats, am I right?
- Evaporated milk – NOT sweetened condensed milk
- Nuts- completely optional. Chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or pistachios all work great with this recipe.
Tips For Making This Fudge Recipe
- Follow the recipe – This might seem like a no-brainer, but with fudge, you want to be pretty exact. Substitutions do not fare well with this recipe. We have had readers that have swapped ingredients out or left them out, and they have been disappointed with the results.
- Stir and scrape the sides when mixing – You want to get all that chocolate melted and smooth. Be sure to use a heavy rubber scraper spatula to help you accomplish this. Make sure to scrape way down to the bottom of the bowl to incorporate it all. Make sure your fudge is completely smooth before pouring it in. You also want to stir until the sheen is gone. It will become thick and harder to stir, which is a good thing!
- Use parchment paper – For easy removal of the fudge from the pan, butter the baking dish, lay the parchment paper in, and then butter the parchment paper. Avoid using aluminum foil. It rips easily and can stick to the fudge.
- Keep it cool – For this fudge recipe, you will want to keep it in the refrigerator so it keeps its form. Keeping it at room temperature will make the fudge too soft and the texture won’t be right.
- Pour it in quickly, then leave it alone – Pour the hot fudge mixture into your prepared pan. Quickly smooth it into an even layer while it’s still hot. It will begin to set fast in the square baking dish and it won’t look as smooth if you keep running your spatula over it. Also, try not to bump your pan after it gets set. It will cause ripples in the fudge (I learned this the hard way). Try to quickly set it somewhere it won’t get bumped or moved until it has cooled enough to put it in the fridge.
- Be patient – Wait until the fudge sets before cutting. You will get nice, perfect squares if you wait until it has completely cooled through.
- Slice before serving – Again, be patient. For fresh, creamy fudge, cut it just before you serve it. Fudge tends to dry out over time. Cut it into 1-inch squares just before you eat it. If you must cut it earlier, be sure to keep the cut pieces in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
If the Fudge Doesn’t Set
The reason I love this recipe is that it isn’t as temperamental as other fudge recipes. The reason it doesn’t get grainy is because you don’t cook the chocolate on the stove and that keeps it from getting too hot. Pouring the hot liquid over the chocolate is JUST enough to melt it and get it to the temperature you want without overheating.
That being said, sometimes the hot liquid you pour over it doesn’t get hot enough, causing the fudge to not set properly. You want to make sure you get a nice rolling boil when you heat the sugar and evaporated milk. Make sure you are heating this in a LARGE enough pot because it will bubble up and expand. You WANT this to expand to be a rolling boil so it gets hot enough to pour over your chocolate, otherwise, it won’t get up to the right temperature and it won’t set right. Just watch it closely and stir constantly so it doesn’t burn.
Another factor that can cause your fudge to not set up is humidity. If it is a very humid day when you make your fudge, it may have difficulty setting.
5-Star Reviews
Here are just a few of the 5-star reviews we’ve received over the many years this popular recipe has been on our website:
“I love this recipe! This was my first attempt at making fudge and I was so happy with it. Many thanks for sharing your recipe so my family and I can enjoy this super yummy, smooth fudge. I’m certain I will be sharing it for years to come.”
-Brooke
This is the best fudge recipe I have ever made. The only thing I did different is add 1 Tbsp of vanilla bean paste. Delicious, smooth, and not grainy at all!! Very easy to make.
– Elizabeth
“By far, the most delicious fudge our family has ever tasted!! It is so smooth, so rich. Used 60% dark chocolate this time, gave it a deep, chocolatey flavor. Will never try another recipe!!!
– Julie
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s be honest, fudge can be intimidating! Before you get started, here are some questions we are frequently asked that may help ease some of your concerns. You can do it!
In a word, no. We have had readers try it and they say it doesn’t turn out right. We haven’t tried it before, but I can tell you it won’t be the same. Some say that they have melted marshmallows down or used a recipe to actually make marshmallow fluff, but again, we haven’t tried this so we can’t tell you for sure that it will work. We like to keep things simple and always stick to this original fudge recipe.
No, you don’t. If you follow the directions, a candy thermometer isn’t necessary. Please use a timer!
We don’t recommend using less sugar or using sugar substitutes for this recipe. In fact, we don’t recommend substituting any of the ingredients for anything low-sugar or low-fat. It just won’t set up the way it is supposed to.
Yes! This fudge recipe freezes great! Just cut it into squares and wrap it in freezer paper and put it in a freezer container to freeze. Once frozen, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe Ziplock bag. When ready to eat, just thaw in the fridge until soft. I like to thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Read More: 25+ Christmas Dessert Ideas
More Must-Try Fudge Recipes
Fudge is always a decedent treat that is a special dessert eaten every once in awhile. With these homemade fudge recipes, you can’t go wrong with making these year-round.
How to Make See’s Fudge
See’s Fudge Copycat Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces milk chocolate (I use two 8 ounce Hershey bars broken into pieces)
- 24 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips I use the Guittard brand
- ½ cup butter
- 1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow creme
- 4 ¼ cups sugar
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Butter a 9×13-inch glass baking dish. Set aside. Combine milk chocolate, chocolate chips, butter, and marshmallow in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine sugar and evaporated milk. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Stir constantly at a rolling boil for 4 minutes with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Pour the evaporated milk mixture over the chocolate mixture in several intervals, stirring constantly to keep the fudge from clumping.
- Continue stirring until well blended and smooth.
- Pour into prepared baking dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate for several hours or overnight, until hardened. Keep refrigerated until you serve.
Thank you for posting this recipe!! I made this fudge last night and it is OUTSTANDING!!! Easiest recipe to follow and the fudge is so creamy! Thank you!!!
So happy you liked it!!! 😀
Boy ! Reading all those comments on the do’s and don’ts of making super easy fudge, kind of took the “super easy-fun” out of it. People certainly get persnickety about their candy and how they make it, and that their way is the ONLY way. To tell the truth, there are a million “proper and correct” ways to make this very delicious fudge, because there a million of us out here in this beautiful , wonderful culinary world, who LOVE baking and cooking for family, friends, and loved one, and each one of use have developed our own little way of making it “perfect”, …..ah, at least to ourselves, it’s perfect. Let’s not be critical of others. Let’s all be humble, and most of all kind, and wish each other good luck with their next batch of delicious fudge !
Cheers to all !!!
I love this Julie! Thank you!
I have not found the Hershey’s bars in 8oz only 7oz. I made this just using the 2 bars and my fudge was way too soft. How many squares of another Hershey bar would make 1oz? It has a great taste but I think because I was missing the 2 oz of chocolate is why it was to soft.
If you are adding another 7 oz. bar, I would add maybe 6 squares total. You can certainly add more squares if you think it will harden it up more. If you want it so be a little harder you can add more chocolate chips (if might be cheaper than chocolate bars), or you can reduce the evaporated milk by a little bit. Hope this helps!
Could you use ‘milk chocolate’ instead of semi sweet?
Yes, you can. It will change the taste a little, but the consistency will be the same. Thanks for asking!
Has anyone tried to do a DARK chocolate one??? I’m addicted to dark more than milk.
You can definitely use dark chocolate instead of milk to make it a darker fudge. We haven’t tried it yet but I am sure it will be fine! Let us know how it turns out!
Curious to know if you can use dark chocolate instead of the milk chocolate for the candy part?
You are probably safe doing dark chocolate candy bars as well as dark chocolate chips.. if you want it really dark! We haven’t tried it but I think you will be ok. Give it a try and let us know!
The fudge looks good,must it!
Just wanted to let you know that, YES you can use a 10 oz bag of mini marshmallows in this recipe. I have the exact same recipe & have been making my fudge for over 40 years now & have never once had it fail. All my friends and family prefer it this way. Hope this helps someone who can’t get the marshmallow whip you mentioned in their area.
Thank you so much, Patty! I’ve never tried the mini marshmallows in this recipe. I’ll try it and mention it in the recipe as a substitution option.
So, this fudge tastes exactly like the fudge my Meme and I used to make together when I was little. I’ve been trying to make it myself for years and I couldn’t replicate is and she’s too sick to help me…thank you for posting this. It brought back a lot of good childhood memories for me.
🙂 So glad that you liked it and that it brought back old memories. This comment warmed my heart 🙂
I love this recipe and will certainly try it over the one I have used for years and years because occasionally it comes out grainy no matter what you do. I make batches and batches every year for Christmas gifts. I was surprised there was no vanilla in the ingredient list. Gotta try it your way, thank you for sharing this !
Good luck! Be sure to come back and let us know how you like it! If you want to add a little vanilla, you certainly can 🙂
This is my grandmother’s and mother’said recipe. I myself have used this recipe for over 30 years. Is it see’s, highly doubt it but it is an awesome recipe. The only difference iso our recipe was originally titled Million Dollar Fudge.
Please send me a copy of your fudge recipe that has no fluf in it ty
If I wanted to do just peanut butter candy how much peanut butter would I use? Thanks
I’m not sure what you mean– you mean you want it to be all PB fudge and no chocolate?
I have used this recipe since I was a kid!! I found it in a Betty Crocker cookbook that my aunt gave me in the late 50’s. I have found over the years that it is best using Hershey’s chocolate, Nestle’s chocolate chips, and Kraft marshmallow fluff. I also add walnuts!!
Many, many years ago Mamie Eisenhower published her fudge recipe and I’ve made it….very similar…only it uses 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, 12 oz of German chocolate, 1 pint of marshmellow crème, 1 – 2 cups of nuts, and can of condensed milk is added to one stick of butter and 6 cups of sugar and is boiled for 6 minutes. Don’t think Sees varied the recipe much at all. I’ll keeping making Mamie’s; it tastes wonderful.
Renee, It calls for, Condensed milk, not evaporated? Just want to make sure. Thanks
I been making this for 45 years but last two years it doesn’t get hard and I put it in fridge.I used cookie sheets lined with foil .sprayed with pam
I would like to know if their is something else besides all that sugar maybe real chocolate chips and only 2 cups of sugar
First of all I would like to say thank you for the recipe . I make chocolate fudge , peanut butter, maple walnut fudge and enjoy making it each year . This recipe sounds a lot easier than the one I usually go by . But ladies if you can’t say any thing nice I wouldn’t say any thing . I hope this recipe works for everyone . I personal think the mini marshmallows would work to .
Thank you so much for your kind comment and words! 😀
I agree with Brenda. It sounds great and have ingredients to make as soon as I can. But rude comments are not for here. If you don’t want to be nice, then please don’t post. And as far as not sharing a recipe that you rave about, it’s all kinda rude, don’t you think? Thank You for your recipe and for the other ones as well. ; )
Thank you so much, Sharon 🙂 We definitely want this to be a positive place for people to visit and try yummy new recipes!
Do you or anyone have a receipe for fudge made with Splenda? I’m diabetic and would love to find a receipe with Splenda , I tried making fudge with the cocoa , the Splenda literally melted away.
🙁
We don’t but maybe one of our followers might?
I have a simple recipe I promise works
1 12 oz pkg. Semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cube real butter
Melt milk and butter together
Stir in chocolate chips
Refrigerate
It’s actually very creamy and good. U can c add nuts if u want no need for sugar.. No ..it’s not sees But it’s good
Thanks for the recipe Nola!
How much butter is a cube?
It is 1/2 cup or 4 ounces. Thanks for asking!
How much is a “cube” of butter? Does that mean one stick? Thanks 🙂
You are right, 1 cube = 1 stick
I would love a fudge recipe with less sugar in it as I am a diabetic.
Any recipes would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance 🙂
I despise marshmallow anything, so would never use this recipe. I have, however, been making a fudge for the last forty years that truly is smooth, not grainy–though I do add nuts to some batches–and it really takes only about ten minutes to make, and another 45 minutes to refrigerate, and it’s ready. Am I going to share the recipe? No, because it was my son’s favorite and he was killed 8 1/2 years ago, and I won’t sully his memory that way. But there are most certainly even better fudge recipes than this “sees” stuff, and far, far easier to make. That is the point I’m making.
I am sorry you lost your son Joyce. But I wouldn’t think publishing your fudge recipe would sully your son’s name. Why not name it after him? ie like “Bill’s favorite fudge” or something like that? That would then honor him to anyone who used the recipe.
I would like a copy of your fudge recipe will you send me a copy
I don’t think you would taste the marshmallow. After all, marshmallow is corn syrup, sugar, and gelatin. It’s the texture that makes them marshmallows. There would be no hint of marshmallow texture in fudge. I agree that sharing your recipe wouldn’t be sullying your don’s name- but honoring a cherished memory.