Creamy Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe (2024)

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I am a huge fudge lover. 3-Ingredient fudge, peanut butter fudge, cookies and cream fudge, and of course the best one of all, this creamy old-fashioned fudge recipe also known simply as traditional fudge.

My aunt gave this recipe to my mom in 1968, and I remember helping her make it when I was young always during Christmas time and the holiday season. It is similar to a fantasy fudge, if you are familiar with that, although this uses marshmallows and not marshmallow creme. We always had it around the holidays.

Creamy old-fashioned fudge is more finicky than microwave fudge, but it tastes better to most people. Although I am not one to be picky when it comes to fudge, haha. It is fairly simple to make, if I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!

Gather the ingredients

To make this fashioned fudge recipe you need just 7 simple ingredients:

• White granulated sugar
• Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter.
• Marshmallows – You can use mini or normal marshmallows.
• Evaporated milk – If you can’t find evaporated milk, you can use whole milk.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – You can also use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips.
• Vanilla extract
• Chopped walnuts – These are optional.

Tools

• Medium to a large pot, a heavy bottom is best
• Wooden spoon or silicone spoon
• Spatula 7×11 or 8×8 inch square pan
• Parchment paper or cooking spray
• Knife
• Candy Thermometer

How to make creamy old fashioned fudge at home

Traditional homemade creamy old fashioned fudge can be tricky to make sometimes. It is not as full proof as this3-ingredient microwave fudge, and it takes longer, but definitely worth it. If you have the time to try it out I highly recommend it.

Start by adding the butter, I usually cut it into smaller chunks, sugar, marshmallows, and evaporated milk to a heavy bottom pot. If you don’t have one, you can use a regular pot. The heavy bottom pots heat more evenly. I sometimes use my enameled dutch oven as well for this and other candy recipes.

TIP:If you can’t find evaporated milk, you can use whole milk. Evaporated milk is traditional cooking milk used in many recipes.

Place the pot on your burner and set the heat between medium-low and medium heat. Sometimes I like to start with medium-low, and then once everything melts, raise the temp to medium for the rest of the time.

The next few points are crucial. Stir constantly throughout this whole homemade fudge making process. Use a candy thermometer if possible. The temp needs to be raised to 234F/112C which is the soft ball stage. It’s okay if it is a few degrees over or under.

TIP: If you live at a higher altitude you will want to adjust the temp 2 degrees lower for every 1000 ft. So if you live at 5000 ft elevation, heat it to 225F.

From the moment you put the pot on the burner until it reaches the correct temp, it will take 15 to 20 minutes. So just be patient, and keep stirring!

TIP:If you don’t have a candy thermometer, once the mixture starts to boil, set the timer for 5 to 6 minutes. That should give it enough time to reach the proper temp.

Mix in the chocolate, vanilla, and nuts to the traditional fudge

Once the sugar mixture reaches 234F/112 C. Remove it from the heat and add in the chocolate chips. Stir constantly. You will get a good workout which is nice.

Once melted, add in the vanilla extract. Keep stirring for a few minutes until it loses most of its shine and is duller looking. Then add in the chopped walnuts. The walnuts are optional of course, but it gives the creamy old fashioned fudge a nice crunchy element, and of course makes it healthy, haha.

Scoop the hot fudge out of the pot and into a baking pan lined with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or spray it with cooking spray.

I usually use a 7×11 inch pan for this, but a 9×9 or 8-inch pan will work as well. Parchment paper is my favorite because it makes it so easy to remove the fudge and then cut it up.

NOTE: If you use aluminum foil spray it with cooking spray.

Spread the creamy fudge out with a spatula until it is level. A cake spatula works well for this. Then let it sit at room temperature for an hour or two on a counter or something to set.

You can also leave it overnight. If you do, after an hour or two, I recommend, covering it with plastic wrap, which helps it to no dry out. Not necessary, but something, I usually do.

Cut and serve that yummy creamy homemade old fashioned fudge

And when the fudge becomes firm, it is ready to be cut. It is common to just cut it up into little small squares. But you can cut it however you like. Fudge makes great gifts! Enjoy!

TIP:If your knife sticks when cutting, dip it in hot water, and dry it off, then cut. The warm blade cuts the fudge easier.

How long does homemade chocolate fudge last?

If stored in an airtight container at room temperature the fudge will last for about 2 weeks. If stored in the fridge it will last about 3 weeks. It doesn’t last that long for me, I always gobble it up before then, haha.

Old Fashioned Fudge Troubleshooting Tips

Since this creamy old fashioned fudge can sometimes be a bit finicky to get right, here are a few troubleshooting tips.

1. If your traditional fudge turns out dry or has a grainy texture, which can happen, and you don’t like the way it tastes, some people don’t mind, all is not lost.

You can put the fudge back into the pot, add 1 cup of water or about 1/2 cup of cream with it. Set the heat to medium-low and gently melt the fudge.

Make sure the stir otherwise it will burn. Heat it back up to the proper temp. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool for 15 minutes, then stir it for about 4 to 5 minutes. And then back into the pan.

Also, if there is any sugar build-up on the sides of the pot, brush them down with a wet basting brush. Sometimes those sugar crystals on the side can contribute to grainy fudge.

2. If your fudge doesn’t set most likely it wasn’t heated up to the proper temp. You can follow the steps above which will solve that problem as well. Also if you are in high altitude you may need to adjust a bit. If you live at high altitude the soft-ball stage will come at a lower temp, 224 to 230F at 5000 feet and 219 to 225F at 7,500 feet.

Also, if it is a humid or rainy day, sometimes that will affect the setting process.

Here are a few other recipes you may like:

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Bacon and Cheese Mashed Potato Balls

Easy Cheese Ball

Pretzel Reindeer

Easy Homemade Brownies

Do you like this easy fudge recipe? Share and Pin it! Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it.If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.

Tags

chocolate soft traditional

40 Comments

1. Molly

   December 23, 2023 at 2:53 pm·Reply

   Mine was looking good til the very end, after stirring in walnuts, then it turned grainy. Did I over mix?

   • Matt Taylor

     December 23, 2023 at 5:08 pm·Reply

     Hi there, I have a whole second on troubleshooting tips that talks about grainy fudge. If you scroll up from the recipe card you will find it. 🙂 One reason why fudge gets grainy is from sugar crystals on the sides of the pot. So there were undissolved sugar crystals in it or also it can happen with over mixing too vigorously while cooking. Just keep in mind this happens to people all the time even for people who have made it 100s of times. I can save it though as I mention in the post.

2. Rich T

   December 22, 2022 at 8:29 pm·Reply

   Hi Matt,
   I’m super confused. Some recipes (and a few blog posts) say don’t stir once it comes to a boil. Then, those same ones say to let the mixture cool a bit before adding the chocolate chips and vanilla. Give me the straight scoop, Matt. Stir…don’t stir? Let it cool…don’t let it cool? I appreciate any clarification you can give me.

   Rich T.

   • Matt Taylor

     December 22, 2022 at 9:06 pm·Reply

     Hi Rich! Did you read the whole recipe? Stir constantly 🙂 Just follow the steps in this recipe and you shouldn’t have any issues. 🙂 Although this type of fudge is more finicky than this 3 ingredient fudge https://www.inthekitchenwithmatt.com/easy-homemade-fudge-recipe

3. Judy

   December 18, 2022 at 2:12 pm·Reply

   The fudge recipe looks good thank you.

   • Matt Taylor

     December 19, 2022 at 8:04 am·Reply

     Thank you, Judy!

4. angela

   December 14, 2021 at 3:00 pm·Reply

   Hi! I tried making the fudge and once I put the chocolate in, the fudge became very oily… I thought maybe putting more chocolate would help, but it remained oily. What did I do wrong? :((((

   • Matt Taylor

     December 14, 2021 at 3:20 pm·Reply

     Hi there! Double check your temperature, if the butter becomes too hot it can separate causing the fudge to become oily on top. A candy thermometer will ensure you have the right temp. 🙂

     • angela

       December 20, 2021 at 8:38 am·Reply

       
       Thank you for responding! hmm don’t have a candy thermometer.. I tried using a meat digital one, but that didn’t work out too well lol. So I was just trying to go by the minutes. I wonder if in the future it would be a good idea to put the butter after I take the off of the heat- maybe that would work better.. or maybe ill just get the candy thermometer. Anyway, thank you, Merry Christmas!! Off topic, but do you believe in Jesus? He loves you and died for you!

       • Matt Taylor

         December 20, 2021 at 8:55 am·Reply

         Some recipes do call for adding the butter after you take it off the heat. You can certainly give that a try. 🙂 Merry Christmas!! And yes I do believe in Jesus Christ. 🙂

5. Elizabeth

   December 6, 2021 at 9:53 am·Reply

   I just made your fudge recipe. It came out perfect and is so good! Thank you!

   • Matt Taylor

     December 6, 2021 at 9:54 am·Reply

     Hurray!! That makes me happy, glad you tried it and liked it! 🙂 You are welcome!

6. Blair Villanueva

   December 23, 2020 at 11:09 pm·Reply

   See Also

   The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal

   
   I know exactly with whom I will share this recipe. My stepdaughter loves cooking (and I’m just her tester, lol) and your recipe will give her so much delight.

   • Matt Taylor

     December 24, 2020 at 7:49 am·Reply

     Awesome, Blair!! 🙂

7. Nimra khan

   December 23, 2020 at 9:49 am·Reply

   
   The recipes look so yummy and mouth-watering! I will definitely try this for my family this Christmas, Very easy to make a recipe as well.

   • Matt Taylor

     December 23, 2020 at 9:51 am·Reply

     Thank you, Nimra!

8. anas

   December 22, 2020 at 9:23 pm·Reply

   OMG I need to try this out! Looks so good thanks for sharing this gem!

   • Matt Taylor

     December 22, 2020 at 9:50 pm·Reply

     You are very welcome! I hope you do try it. 🙂

9. Dominique

   December 22, 2020 at 10:32 am·Reply

   Yay I love a good fudge recipe! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

   • Matt Taylor

     December 22, 2020 at 10:48 am·Reply

     Thank you! 🙂 You are welcome. 🙂

10. Cristina Petrini

    December 22, 2020 at 2:11 am·Reply

    
    I MUST do them! I always ate them because my aunt did it, but since she moved I have never tried!

    • Matt Taylor

      December 22, 2020 at 8:30 am·Reply

      Yes, you must, Cristina! 🙂 🙂

11. Kileen

    December 22, 2020 at 1:24 am·Reply

    This fudge looks so yummy and really easy to make! I don’t think that the holiday season is complete without some good ol’ fashioned fudge.

    • Matt Taylor

      December 22, 2020 at 8:30 am·Reply

      Thank you! And I totally agree. 🙂

12. Ashley T

    December 21, 2020 at 7:58 pm·Reply

    This fudge looks so good. It reminds me of the holiday fudge my mom makes for us every year.

    • Matt Taylor

      December 22, 2020 at 8:30 am·Reply

      Thank you!! 🙂 🙂

13. Heather

    December 21, 2020 at 1:46 pm·Reply

    OMG yes! I have everything I need here. I can’t wait to make this.

    • Matt Taylor

      December 22, 2020 at 8:29 am·Reply

      Awesome, Heather!! 🙂

14. Surekha

    December 21, 2020 at 12:11 pm·Reply

    
    I love this so much! I have tried, “easy” fudge recipes before, but they never have the same flavor as really good from-scratch fudge. I have to make this.

    • Matt Taylor

      December 21, 2020 at 12:13 pm·Reply

      Thank you!!! 🙂 🙂 Agree, while I still like the easy fudge, there really is no comparison to old-fashioned fudge!

15. Brianne

    December 21, 2020 at 12:10 pm·Reply

    
    MmmMMM! There is nothing I love better than really good fudge. This is the perfect holiday treat. It’s so full of tastiness AND nostalgia for me.

    • Matt Taylor

      December 21, 2020 at 12:12 pm·Reply

      Thank you!! 🙂 🙂

16. Bill

    December 21, 2020 at 12:09 pm·Reply

    
    Your site is the best recip site bar none, man. I really love your recipes. This fudge is a prime example. It’s exactly like the kind I remember when I was a kid.

    • Matt Taylor

      December 21, 2020 at 12:12 pm·Reply

      Thank you so much, Bill!! 🙂

17. Natalie

    December 21, 2020 at 12:04 pm·Reply

    
    The holidays wouldn’t be the same, without making fudge! Your recipe is easy & so good!

    • Matt Taylor

      December 21, 2020 at 12:12 pm·Reply

      Agreed! Thank you 🙂

18. Kaitlyn

    December 21, 2020 at 11:45 am·Reply

    Matt! I’m trying to limit my sugar, but these look soo good!

    • Matt Taylor

      December 21, 2020 at 11:56 am·Reply

      Thank you!! 🙂

19. Mark lee

    December 20, 2020 at 9:00 am·Reply

    I made this fudge,and was really impressed with the taste it reminded me of when l was young.

    • Matt Taylor

      December 20, 2020 at 9:15 am·Reply

      So glad you tried it and liked it, Mark!! 🙂 🙂

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