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pumpkin fudge

HowToMakeEasyFudge This post may contain affiliate links.

This simply perfect pumpkin fudge has only five ingredients and can be made in the microwave or on the stove-top.

Filled with the flavors of pumpkin pie, you’ll want to whip up batch after batch this fall!

stacked pumpkin fudge with white backgroundd

 

easy pumpkin fudge

This pumpkin fudge sets beautifully and tastes divine, just like pumpkin pie.

Make this no-bake treat for every event this fall, even for Thanksgiving dessert.

It took me several attempts to finally come up with the world’s best pumpkin fudge recipe. I wanted to give you an easy recipe you can make in the microwave, but pumpkin puree has so much moisture, finding just the right ratio of pumpkin to chocolate was a challenge.

At last… it’s here. The perfect pumpkin fudge.

If you like this recipe for pumpkin fudge, check out this awesome maple fudge recipe, another fabulous fall treat. If you want to make fudge all year long, be sure to check out this fudge FAQ page for everything you need to know to make easy fudge.

 

close-up image of pumpkin fudge with pecans

 

watch this quick video to see how to make pumpkin fudge

 

 

how to make easy pumpkin fudge

You will need the following ingredients and supplies. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS 

You’ll need two 12-ounce bags of white chocolate chips. 

I find that Nestle’s white chocolate chips melt the best, so this is the brand I use. Ghiradelli’s white baking chips are also a good choice, but they do tend to melt a bit thicker, so you may want to reduce the amount you use to 3 3/4 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 24 ounces. If using pure white chocolate (with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients), use 28 ounces.

 

PUMPKIN PUREE

We use 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree. I prefer the Libby’s brand. NOTE: Do NOT use pumpkin pie filling! It will make the finished product too sweet. 

 

PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

One jar will save you from mixing your own spices. You’ll need 2 teaspoons. 

 

VANILLA EXTRACT and SALT

Adding 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and a dash of salt helps balance the flavor. 

 

PECANS 

A cup of chopped pecans adds a nice bit of crunch to this fudge. 

 

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED 

Choose an 8-inch square (for thicker fudge) or a 9-inch square baking pan. I line the pan with non-stick foil. 

 

Let’s make fudge! 

Pumpkin fudge is minutes away. 

step one: melt your chocolate 

In a microwave-safe bowl, place two 12-ounce bags of white chocolate chips (this is two cups of chips for each bag).

Microwave at 70 percent power for 90 seconds. Stir well, using the residual heat to completely melt the chips. If necessary, continue to microwave at 15 second intervals.

Stir until the chocolate is very smooth. Alternatively, if you prefer to melt the chocolate on the stove-top, set a heat safe bowl on top of a sauce pan of simmering water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir the chocolate until melted.

 

white chocolate chips in bowl with spatula

 

step two: add your ingredients 

Once your chocolate is melted, stir in: 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (I prefer the Libby’s brand, do NOT use pumpkin pie filling), 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

You can even use homemade pumpkin puree to make this easy fudge.

 

ingredients for pumpkin fudge, white chocolate and pumpkin

Step three: pour in the pan 

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. If desired, top with 1 cup of coarsely chopped pecans. This step is optional. Press the pecans gently into the fudge.

Refrigerate the fudge for 2 to 4 hours to full set and cut into squares.

 

pumpkin fudge with pecans in baking pan

 

five pieces of pumpkin fudge stacked, white background

 

why won’t my fudge set?

Ah yes, a common question when making fudge. I faced the challenge creating this pumpkin fudge recipe because of the heavy moisture in pumpkin puree.

In traditional pumpkin fudge, the mixture may be heated for a specific amount of time to allow for evaporation, but this would add a variable that would take the word “easy” out of the title. And we’re busy, right? No time for fussy recipes.

With all of these easy fudge recipes, the chocolate is the key factor in fudge that sets properly.

Chocolate is melted and then chilled to re-harden, so you need just the right ratio of chocolate to your other ingredients, such as sweetened condensed milk, or in this case, pumpkin puree.

Too little chocolate and your fudge will be sticky and not set. After experimenting, I found 4 cups of chocolate chips to 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree is the perfect ratio.

That said, 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree is NOT an entire can. Scroll to the end of this post for ideas on how to use leftover pumpkin puree.

 

blue plate of pumpkin fudge

 

printable pumpkin fudge recipe

5 from 2 votes
pumpkin fudge on blue plate
Print
Pumpkin Fudge
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Chill for
3 hrs
Total Time
13 mins
 

Delicious pumpkin fudge, with only 5 ingredients and made in the microwave, is perfect every time and the best no-bake treat for fall and Thanksgiving. 

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pumpkin Fudge
Servings: 25 pieces
Calories: 149 kcal
Ingredients
  • 4 cups white chocolate chips 24 ounces SEE NOTES!!
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie filling
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch salt
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans optional
Instructions
  1. Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan by lining it with lightly greased parchment paper or non-stick foil. 

  2. In a microwave-safe bowl, place the chocolate chips. Microwave for 90 seconds at 70 percent power and stir well, using residual heat to melt the chips. If needed, continue to microwave at 15 second intervals until you can stir the chips smooth.

    white chocolate chips in bowl with spatula
  3. Alternatively, instead of the microwave, you can melt the chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl set over a sauce pan of simmering water. 

  4. Add the pumpkin, spice, vanilla, and salt to the mixture. Stir very well until completely blended. Pour into the baking pan and spread evenly.

    ingredients for pumpkin fudge, white chocolate and pumpkin
  5. If desired, scatter pecans on top and press into fudge.

    pumpkin fudge with pecans in baking pan
  6. Chill for 2 to 4 hours until fully set. Remove the fudge by lifting the paper or foil. Cut into squares. 

Recipe Notes

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 24 ounces. If using pure white chocolate (with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients), use 28 ounces.

This recipe was originally posted in August 2018 and updated in October 2021. 

overhead image of pumpkin fudge on blue plate

 

what can I do with leftover pumpkin puree?

  • Make a pumpkin spice latte at home.
  • Try this pumpkin spice mug cake.
  • You need to check out this entire post on creative ways to use leftover pumpkin puree.

 

more easy fudge recipes

Looking for more easy homemade fudge recipes? We have you covered.

 

milk chocolate fudge

milk chocolate fudge 

 

marshmallow fudge close up

marshmallow fudge 

 

Peanut Butter Fudge Squares on a small white plate.

peanut butter fudge 

 

Filed Under: nutty flavors, seasonal flavors

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Comments

  1. Louise Jackson

    August 29, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    These would be a lot easier to make than pumpkin pie. Think I will serve it with whipped cream.

    Reply
    • Beth

      September 1, 2018 at 8:20 am

      Definitely easier than pumpkin pie with all of the flavor.

      Reply
  2. Kay

    October 15, 2019 at 2:17 pm

    Halved the recipe and used skor toffee bits on top instead of nuts… bomb af. Verrrrrry sweet but definitely good, waiting to hear how my mom likes the stuff I dropped off to her. I’m very pleased considering I’ve never made fudge before!

    Reply
    • Beth

      October 27, 2019 at 9:44 am

      I love the idea of adding Skor Toffee on top instead of nuts. I bet it tasted amazing!

      Reply
  3. Jaime

    November 19, 2019 at 6:53 pm

    I noticed that this recipe does not call for condensed milk. Is this correct ? I never made a fudge without condensed milk before. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Meaghan

      November 21, 2019 at 3:09 pm

      Hi Jaime, Great question! And yes, that’s correct! Almost all of our other recipes do call for condensed milk. Here, the pumpkin puree adds the “liquid”-like balance to the hardened chocolate. I also find the chocolate itself gives just enough sweetness to no overpower the flavor. This is one of my favorites!!

      Reply
  4. Kammie

    December 23, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    Are these okay to make a few days ahead of time?

    Reply
    • Meaghan

      December 23, 2021 at 10:31 pm

      Hi Kammie, Great question! Fudge is awesome, because it stays fresh up to two weeks. Here I copied and pasted the info from our FAQ page, so forgive me if the formatting is off. Copied/pasted:

      How long will homemade fudge stay fresh?
      Fudge will stay fresh for at least 2 weeks and up to 3 months depending on how it is stored.
      Plain fudge will have the longest shelf life.
      Once you add mix-ins like cookies and nuts, those ingredients will shorten the shelf life.
      Cookies mixed into fudge will soften.
      Toppings like cookies or peppermint can become moist and soft.
      Always use the freshest ingredients when making your fudge to enhance the shelf life.
      How should you store fudge?
      With proper wrapping and care, your fudge can last for weeks at room temperature.

      Here are several different ways to store your fudge at room temperature:
      Wrap fudge in wax paper and store in an air-tight container.
      Wrap your fudge tightly in plastic wrap and then wrap in tin foil and place in a zip top bag
      Line a metal tin with parchment or wax paper and fill with fudge.
      A metal tin works the best to keep the air out and keep fudge fresh.

      Reply

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Beth Jackson Klosterboer and Meaghan Mountford food bloggers

Hi, we are Beth and Meaghan and we want to teach you how to make easy fudge. We are recipe developers and cookbook authors who love to make sweet treats. Read more about us >>>

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