30 of Our Best Fudge Recipes (2024)

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Updated: May 09, 2024

Fudge comes in all shapes, colors and textures, but our 30 best fudge recipes have earned high marks (and rave reviews) for their best-in-class flavors. When the holidays roll around, be sure you're stocked with these festive favorites.

1/27

Three-Chocolate Fudge

Three kinds of chocolate are better than one in our book, especially when it comes to making buttery fudge. This easy-to-master recipe also employs chopped pecans for a nutty crunch, and marshmallows for the fluffiest texture.

2/27

Easy Microwave Mint Fudge

Everyone could use a shortcut around the holidays and, thanks to the microwave, this minty fudge practically makes itself. If you’re in make-ahead mode, wrap the fudge in waxed paper layers and freeze in an airtight container until you’re ready to gift it (or eat it yourself!).

3/27

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge

Once you get a hang of basic chocolate fudge, elevate your version with dark chocolate and raspberry liqueur. Some reviewers shared that Chambord or raspberry syrup produced equally tasty results.

4/27

Marshmallow Fudge

Get all the campfire-friendly flavors of s’mores in fudge form! To keep this already decadent dessert a bit lighter, opt for fat-free sweetened condensed milk and reduced-fat graham crackers.

5/27

Candy Bar Fudge

If Snickers made fudge for the holidays, we imagine it would look a lot like this loaded candy bar concoction. Studded with salty peanuts and sweet ribbons of caramel, it’s the ultimate indulgence. Need something to pair with the fudge? Try these Snickers-inspired cookies.

6/27

Cherry Swirl Fudge

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but not everyone loves the taste of peppermint. For the naysayers, swap the red and white candies for cherry. To make the pretty pattern, you’ll want to add a few red food coloring drops over the fudge, then use a knife tip to swirl through them.

7/27

Sugar-Free Chocolate Fudge

While fudge may be a classic holiday choice for a cookie exchange or dessert-centric Viennese hour, it goes without saying, it’s packed with sugar. This sugar-free version calls for a sugar substitute like Stevia, agave or coconut sugar for a less saccharine treat that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

8/27

Mint Oreo Fudge

Mix-ins like Oreos, mint extract and miniature marshmallows take a fudge recipe from ordinary to extraordinary. You can even toss in merry candy cane bits while at it. As for an easy trick to cutting fudge once firm, use unflavored, unwaxed dental string to slice and dice it into uniform cubes.

9/27

Ribbon Fantasy Fudge

Even though these adorable desserts resemble little cheesecakes, they’re actually peanut butter and chocolate fudge squares. Adding marshmallow creme gives this already dreamy fudge an irresistible, whipped-like consistency, so be sure to double or triple the recipe for a ravenous crowd.

10/27

Holiday White Chocolate Fudge

Rich, chocolaty fudge may get a lot of love during the Festivus season, but don’t discount its creamy, milky cousin, white chocolate. The key to this super smooth fudge is never to stop stirring when you’re in phase one (combining sugar, milk and butter) before taking it off the heat.

11/27

Mackinac Fudge

Michigan is famous for its Mackinac Island fudge, so if you want to re-create the old-fashioned gift shop fudge, let us make it easy on you with this cheat sheet. The decorative icing and sprinkles may be optional, but this recipe has the island’s fudgy formula down to a science.

12/27

Apricot-Nut White Fudge

Nuts and fruit are a classic Christmas combo for desserts like panettone and apricot-nut fudge. The tiny slices of orange fruit add a citrusy brightness to the snow-white squares, and the chopped walnuts sneak in some crunchiness. Because this fudge contains cream cheese, it should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator—not on the counter.

13/27

Kahlua Fudge

White Russians and toasted almond co*cktails are popular drinks around the holidays, and this Kahlua fudge remixes those flavors into a scrumptious dessert. The best part? You need just five ingredients and you probably have most of them in your pantry.

14/27

Cookies ‘n’ Cream Fudge

Cookies ‘n’ cream devotees are known to seek out this nostalgic duo in every possible form: in ice cream, brownies and, yes, fudge. This recipe has not one but two layers of Oreos with creamy white chocolate in between. Bonus: One panful yields enough squares for your whole crew.

15/27

Tiger Butter Fudge

Peanut butter makes everything better, including fudge. With white and milk chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, shortening and softened butter, you can enjoy the tiger-striped treat in under an hour. Hot tip: Clean toothpicks create the most precise swirls.

16/27

Chocolate Cherry Fudge

After years of testing recipes, we’re pretty sure we have a handle on the most popular fudge flavors, but chocolate and cherry will always rank high on the list. Chopped almonds also pair well with these flavors so be sure to include them if you have spare nuts on hand.

17/27

Curry-Kissed Coconut Fudge

Thai flavors like coconut and curry lend themselves nicely to this white chocolate fudge, a welcome departure from the piled-high platters of chocolate treats around the holidays. You could also sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the top before it sets for more visual appeal.

18/27

Butter Pecan Fudge

Nutty and crunchy, with bits of creamy caramel in every bite, it doesn’t get any better than butter pecan fudge. If you have any leftovers, you can easily freeze them, although, as one commenter puts it, everyone who eats this fudge says it can be habit-forming.

19/27

Nana’s Rocky Road Fudge

You don’t have to wait for the holidays to treat yourself (and the fam) to this outrageous fudge. The rocky road-style recipe is chock full of peanuts, marshmallows and semisweet chocolate chips for the most delicious fudge that tastes just like Nana’s.

20/27

Christmas Fudge

Many hosts have their version of Christmas fudge down pat, but if you’ve yet to find yours and need inspiration, allow us to help. The base of this rich fudge combines sugar, evaporated milk and butter in perfect proportions, but the rest of the recipe is customizable based on your preference for mix-ins.

21/27

Butterscotch Fudge

Butterscotch lovers: Meet the melt-in-your-mouth fudge version of your favorite candy. Walnuts and marshmallows elevate the recipe, but avoid using wet baking equipment to keep your chips from seizing—a term used when water comes in contact with butterscotch chips.

22/27

Bavarian Mint Fudge

The German state of Bavaria is known for its treasure-filled Christmas markets just as much as it is for its fudge. So, if you’re looking for a homemade gift that’s sure to please, this is it.

23/27

Coffee Shop Fudge

The secret-weapon ingredient in this coffee-flavored fudge is cinnamon, which isn’t overpowering at all, but rather, it imparts a subtle flavor to the dense, pecan-packed fudge. Want more of a coffee kick? Add espresso granules or coffee extract.

24/27

Tootsie Roll Fudge

Still have leftover Halloween candy? Use the Tootsie Rolls to create extra-chewy holiday fudge. Red and green M&M’s add a bit of festive flair, but you could also use Reese’s Pieces or your favorite candy topper.

25/27

Chocolate Pecan Fudge

It’s hard to resist a tin of chocolate pecan fudge any time of year, never mind the holidays. This microwaveable five-ingredient recipe is easy and foolproof: You can also use whatever nuts you have on hand.

26/27

Almond Cherry Fudge

When you need a quick dessert for a gathering or last-minute party this season, enlist this fast fudge helper. Dried cranberries can stand in for the candied cherries if need be.

27/27

Black Cherry Swirl Fudge

Get ready to watch these marbled squares disappear once you set them out for guests. The black cherry mix and white chocolate chips make this fudge tasty enough to rival any fudge shop across the country. Plus, we suspect the colors will win Santa’s approval.

Originally Published: January 12, 2021