This Dark Chocolate Fudge Recipe is one of our absolute favorite holiday treats! We make it every single year to serve at parties and give as gifts, and our friends and family always ask for the recipe. It’s unbelievably easy, comes together on the stovetop in just a few minutes, and sets into the most perfect, melt-in-your-mouth squares. Whether you’re filling a cookie box, bringing a dessert to share, or stocking your freezer for the season, this fudge is always so good!
Why You’ll Love This Dark Chocolate Fudge Recipe
One bite of this homemade dark chocolate fudge, and you’ll never go back to store-bought options again! The blend of semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolate creates a delicious, balanced flavor, while the sweetened condensed milk keeps it silky and smooth. Here’s why we love it:
- Simple and Easy – You only need 6 ingredients! Just melt the chocolate and butter, and add the remaining ingredients. You only need 5-10 minutes for prep, and the fridge does the rest.
- Decadent without Being Overpowering – The blend of chocolate creates an indulgent, chocolatey flavor, and the vanilla adds extra depth for a dessert that’s sweet, smooth, and never too intense.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – This fudge keeps super well in the fridge. So, we like to prep a big batch ahead of time and just pull it out when hosting.
- Perfect for Gifting – LOVE this as an easy holiday gift idea! Slice the fudge into neat squares, wrap it in a tin or treat box, and you’ve got the easiest homemade gift everyone loves.
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Ingredients
If you’ve never made homemade fudge, you might be surprised by how simple the ingredients are! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chocolate – Use a combination of semi-sweet chocolate and bittersweet chocolate for the base. Chocolate bark, chocolate chips, or even chopped chocolate bars will work!
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – This binds the fudge, adds sweetness, and creates a creamy mouthfeel.
- Butter – Real butter is crucial for the best fudge! Use unsalted, if possible.
- Salt – This enhances the rest of the ingredients.
- Vanilla – Adds delicious vanilla flavor and depth.
How to Make This Easy Dark Chocolate Fudge Recipe
This recipe requires at least a few hours to set. So, make sure to plan ahead, but the actual prep time is super quick! You’ll need an 8×8 square baking dish and a medium saucepan. Here’s how to make the best Dark Chocolate Fudge:
- Combine the ingredients – Melt both kinds of chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the remaining ingredients – Turn off the heat, and whisk in the salt and vanilla extract.
- Chill – Pour the chocolate mixture into a lined baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Then, cover the top, and chill in the fridge.
- Serve – Slice the fudge into squares, and enjoy!
Tips
- Use high-quality chocolate. It truly makes such a big difference! Because there are so few ingredients, it’s super important to use high-quality chocolate. It melts into a smoother consistency and gives the fudge a bolder flavor.
- Chop the chocolate finely. Smaller pieces melt faster and more evenly, preventing scorching or graininess.
- Keep the heat low. Melt everything over medium-low heat to avoid burning the chocolate or causing it to seize.
- Stir constantly. This helps the mixture heat evenly and stay silky-smooth.
- Make a parchment paper sling. We let our parchment paper hang over both sides of the pan. Then, all we have to do is lift them up to remove the fudge.
- Warm the knife before cutting. Run a knife under hot water and wipe it dry after each slice for clean cuts every time.
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Variations
There are so many fun ways to take this dark chocolate fudge up a notch! Here are some easy ideas:
- Nuts – Fold in 3/4 to 1 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for a nutty flavor and extra crunch.
- Salt – Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the fudge before transferring it to the fridge for a sweet and salty taste. This is always one of our favorite hacks to elevate a holiday dessert!
- Peppermint – Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract, and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
- Mocha – Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder to the melted chocolate mixture for a stronger chocolate taste and subtle coffee flavor.
- Peanut Butter Swirl – Pour the fudge into the prepared pan, dollop up to ¼ cup of peanut butter on top, and use a sharp knife to swirl it around the pan.
- Toasted Coconut – Fold 1/2 cup of toasted shredded coconut, or sprinkle it on top for extra texture.
- Cherry – Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped dried cherries for a fruity twist.
- Festive – Add holiday sprinkles to the top of the fudge before letting it set.
- Chocolate Topping – Drizzle melted white chocolate over the set fudge pieces, and let it set in the fridge for extra chocolatey goodness.
How to Store
Store – Transfer the fudge pieces to an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. We like to place parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking!
Freeze – For longer storage, keep the fudge in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
More Festive Christmas Treats
- Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
- Christmas Chocolate Truffles
- Gingerbread Cake Recipe
- Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
- Chocolate-Covered Graham Crackers
- Nutella Puff Pastry
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Dark Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
Ingredients
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8”x8” square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium saucepan, combine both kinds of chocolate, condensed milk and butter. Stir and cook over medium-low heat until everything is melted.
- Turn off the heat and whisk in the salt and vanilla extract.
- Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer with an offset spatula.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight, until the fudge is fully set.
- Remove the fudge from the fridge and slice into 36 squares.
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