Flavored with brown butter, pecans, and cinnamon, this butter pecan fudge tastes just like the ice cream!
(This post was originally published in May 2019 and updated in November 2021.)
butter pecan fudge
Butter pecan fudge may be one of my favorites yet.
Combine creamy white chocolate with buttered pecans, brown butter, and cinnamon for a perfect, delicious fudge that tastes even better than the ice cream.
As a bonus, you'll learn how to make brown butter, which is useful in many other recipes, both sweet and savory.
Just like all of our recipes, butter pecan fudge is easy to make, but you may want to check out our fudge FAQ page for tips and tricks.
Sometimes different ingredients, such as store-brand condensed milk or store-brand chocolate vs. name brand chocolate, can change the texture of fudge, and it’s helpful to know this before you begin.
how to make butter pecan fudge
Butter pecan fudge is a simple white chocolate fudge (white chocolate chips combined with sweetened condensed milk) with browned butter, pecans, and flavoring added.
Before you begin making fudge, see the tips below on how to make brown butter and buttered pecans. Prepare these first.
tools you'll need:
- 8 or 9-inch square baking pan
- non-stick foil (you may also grease the pan)
ingredients you'll need:
- 3 cups (18 ounces) white chocolate chips
- 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- Pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons browned butter
- 1 ½ cups buttered pecans
notes on the white chocolate:
I find that Nestle white chocolate chips melt a bit thinner than Ghiradelli brand. So if you're using the latter, you may want to reduce the number of chocolate chips to 2 ¾ cups.
We have also found that some store-brand sweetened condensed milks can be very thin. If you think the milk looks thin, increase the amount of chocolate chips to 3 ¼ cups.
Please note, the recipe here uses Nestle-brand white “morsels,” which is actually confectionery coating. If you’re using white confectionery coating chips (no cocoa butter listed in the ingredients, use 20 ounces. If using pure white chocolate (with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients), use 24 ounces.
step one: prepare your baking pan
Line an 8-inch square baking pan with lightly greased parchment paper or non-stick foil.
You may also use an 9-inch square pan if that is what you have, but the fudge will be a bit thinner.
Have ready browned butter and browned pecans (see below).
step two: Melt the ingredients
In a large, microwave-safe bowl place 3 cups white chocolate chips (18 ounces) and a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk.
Microwave for 90 seconds at 70 percent power. Use the residual heat to stir the mixture well until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
This may take a minute or two. If necessary, microwave for additional 15 second intervals.
Alternatively, melt the chocolate and milk in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl on top of a saucepan of simmering water.
For best results, melt the chips with heat only until they are about three-quarters of the way melted, then rely on residual heat to fully melt the chocolate chips, rather than adding additional heat. This prevents scorching.
step three: add the mix-ins
Stir in a generous pinch of coarse sea salt (table salt also works, but use a smaller pinch) and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Stir in 3 tablespoons of butter that has been browned (see below for instructions). Fold in 1 ½ cups of buttered pecans (see below for instructions).
Scrape the fudge evenly in the prepared pan and chill until firm, 2 hours to overnight. Lift the fudge out of the pan by grasping the edges of the foil and cut into squares.
how to brown butter
When substituted for butter in a recipe, brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to many dishes, both sweet and savory.
It's easy to make by simply melting butter until it browns.
Place your butter in a saucepan with a light-colored bottom, so you can easily note the color of the butter. For the butter pecan fudge recipe, use three tablespoons of butter. Set over medium heat. Swirl the pan or use a spatula to occasionally stir the butter.
The butter will foam and then darken to a deep brown. This may only take a few minutes. You will see sediment from the milk solids sink to the bottom of the pan.
Transfer the browned butter to bowl to cool, leaving the sediment behind (if possible). But don't worry too much about sediment getting mixed in with the brown butter. It doesn't make a significant difference.
how to make buttered pecans
For the buttered pecans in this easy fudge recipe, place 1 ½ tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Melt over medium heat. Add 1 ½ cups of coarsely chopped pecan halves and stir with a spatula to coat with the butter.
Continue heating over medium-low, stirring the pecans frequently, until the pecans are toasted, 3 to 4 minutes.
Pour out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment to cool before adding to the fudge.
salted or unsalted butter?
Traditionally, most recipes and bakers suggest using unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the dish. In our fudge recipes, I tend to use salted butter, because I think it balances the sweetness of the fudge.
So you may choose either unsalted OR salted butter, depending on your taste preference.
check out this video on how to make butter pecan fudge
printable butter pecan fudge recipe
Delicious butter pecan fudge made with white chocolate, brown butter, buttered pecans, and cinnamon.
- 3 tablespoons butter, browned
- 1 ½ tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves, coarsely chopped
- 3 cups white chocolate chips 20 ounces--SEE NOTES
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch coarse sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In a sauce pan, brown 3 tablespoons of butter. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
In a sauce pan, melt 1 ½ tablespoons of butter. Add the pecans and stir occasionally until the pecans are toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper to cool.
Line an 8-inch square pan with non-stick foil. Set aside.
In a large, microwave-safe bowl, place the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat for 90 seconds at 70 percent power. Stir, using the residual heat to fully melt the chocolate chips. If needed, add an additional 30 seconds in the microwave.
Stir in the vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the brown butter. Fold in the buttered pecans.
Scrape the mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
Chill for at least 2 hours to overnight and cut into squares.
See blog post for tips on making buttered pecans and to learn how to brown butter.
Please note, the recipe here uses Nestle-brand white “morsels,” which is actually confectionery coating. If you’re using white confectionery coating chips (no cocoa butter listed in the ingredients, use 20 ounces. If using pure white chocolate (with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients), use 24 ounces.
more recipes that use brown butter
Now that you see how easy it is to make brown butter, why not try these recipes?
more easy fudge recipes
- Pistachio fudge - February 2, 2023
- chocolate pecan fudge - January 26, 2023
- chocolate frosting fudge - January 24, 2022
Jill O'Toole
Can this recipe be made without sweetened condensed milk? I'm looking for a brown butter pecan fudge recipe that does NOT require it. Thanks!