Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe (2024)

This Easy Chocolate Fudge recipe is decadent and creamy – a holiday favorite! A festive addition to cookie trays, dessert boards or gifting to friends, this easy fudge recipe always a winner! A can of your favorite frosting, rich chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and festive sprinkles make this fudge the easiest dessert you’ll make all season.

Dreaming of fudge? Make sure to try these favorites: Maple Nut Fudge, Peppermint Fudge and this decadent Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Fudge!

Easy Fudge Recipe

What is it about Christmas or winter in general that just makes me want to make fudge? It’s one of those holiday staples that helps break up the endless trays of cookies and cakes. This recipe is so foolproof you could even task the kids to do it! A can of your favorite frosting, rich chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and festive sprinkles make this fudge the easiest dessert you’ll make all season.

Years ago I pitched an idea for a fudge cook book to an editor and while it never saw the light of day, I sure had a lot of fun developing recipes for the book. One of the surprise favorites of all the recipes I worked on was this easy frosting fudge. It’s similar to the sweetened condensed fudge we all know and love but creates a creamier, less dense fudge consistency that’s so, so good.

The limitations to this fudge exist only within the limits of your own creativity. Different flavors of frosting and chips will create a unique creation every time. Throw in different nuts, candies or top with holiday specific sprinkles for a new spin on this easy fudge recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Why do I love this easy frosting fudge recipe?

• It’s right in the name! It’s easy. Two basic ingredients: frosting and chocolate chips. Three if you want to add nuts. Four if you want to add sprinkles. Five if you really want to make the flavor shine with a touch of vanilla extract.
• No candy thermometer. No having to watch the stove or use a candy boiler. Just microwave, stir and chill.
• It’s a great gift. Candy, cookies, and the like always make great last minute gifts for teachers, neighbors, or anyone you want to share a little kindness with. The holidays are busy and this is a quick and easy way to make a big batch of treats to share without taking up too much of your day.

What You’ll Need

Just a handful of ingredients and you’ve got mouth watering, chocolate fudge! As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need…

Main Ingredients

• chocolate chips – I used milk chocolate chips but semi-sweet work just as well. You could try a blend of dark and milk if you want a little variation.
• frosting – About one can will make the fudge oh so smooth. You can also use vanilla frosting like I did or opt for chocolate frosting for this recipe for an extra rich chocolate flavor.

Optional Ingredients

• chopped pecans or walnuts – If you or someone you’re sharing this fudge with doesn’t like or is allergic to nuts you can omit these. Or if it’s just a taste preference, only add them to half the batch if others in your party would prefer some crunch in their candy. Almonds and pistachios are other great options!
• sprinkles – You can put your own spin on these. Go classic red and green, blue and white, snowflakes, whatever strikes your fancy. Totally optional.
• vanilla extract – While this fudge is delicious on it’s own, I think all fudge recipes need a little vanilla extract. Gives this easy fudge a homemade taste! Optional.

How To Make This Chocolate Fudge Recipe

1. Line your favorite square baking dish (8 or 9 inch preferred) with foil or parchment paper and set aside.
2. Melt the chocolate chips and frosting together in a microwave safe bowl.
3. Microwave in 30 second intervals, making sure to stir in between each round, until all the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
4. Add the chopped pecans (or other nuts) and vanilla extract if using and stir to combine.
5. Transfer the fudge to the baking dish and use an offset spatula to smooth the top.
6. Sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles (if using) and press into the fudge lightly.
7. Chill for an hour or until set. Cut, serve, and enjoy!

Storage Information

This fudge stays fresh for up to 3 weeks wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in your refrigerator.

You can freeze this recipe as well. Once set, wrap the fudge in parchment paper, then foil and transfer to a freezer safe ziploc bag (or store in any airtight freezer safe container) and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving. I don’t recommend refreezing once thawed so you may also want to store it as smaller serving sizes.

What Is The Best Way To Cut Fudge For Serving?

I find the best way to get (at least semi) even squares is to remove the fudge from the pan and use a sharp knife to cut it into 4 squares. Cut those squares into smaller squares and so forth until you have the bite sized pieces you want. It’s all about the precise cuts to keep it clean and pretty! Cleaning your knife between cuts also helps.

Are There Variations To This Recipe?

Always. The great thing about this easy fudge recipe is that you can adapt it however you like! Add dried cranberries, caramel, use chocolate frosting for a double chocolate taste. Add pistachios for extra crunch. Need to make it vegan? Use vegan chocolate chips and swap the frosting for sweetened condensed coconut milk. Use different colored sprinkles to match any holiday or party throughout the year!

Trish’s Tips and Tricks

• Some recipes swap the frosting for sweetened condensed milk which will give you a denser fudge.
• Don’t over heat the chocolate chips or they will burn. Stirring between each bout of microwaving will help to see how much longer you need to keep melting the chocolate into the frosting so you don’t over do it.
• If you prefer a slightly less sweet version, use semi sweet chocolate chips.
• For extra flavor you could add in a drop or two of peppermint, orange, or almond extract.

More Fantastic Fudge Recipes

1. Hot Cocoa Fudge
2. Maple Nut Fudge
3. Rocky Road Fudge
4. Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Fudge
5. White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge

How To Make Easy Chocolate Fudge