This is the best recipe for easy vanilla fudge. No need to fiddle with candy thermometers when sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips do all your work for you!
easy vanilla fudge
I'm in love with this vanilla fudge recipe. It's a cinch to make, it only takes a few ingredients, and it's so delicious and full of vanilla flavor. Feel free to mix in any of your favorite ingredients, for this is a perfect fudge base to personalize to your own tastes or use as a homemade food gift idea. Mix in nuts, dried fruits, small candies... anything you like. I would love to try this recipe with homemade vanilla extract.
If you want an even easier vanilla fudge (although that's hardly possible), check out this two-ingredient vanilla fudge. This vanilla fudge recipe is a sweetened condensed milk fudge. The other vanilla fudge is a frosting fudge recipe. You might also love this creamsicle fudge, which combines the flavors of orange and vanilla.
Everything you need to know about how to make fudge can be found on this FAQ page.
watch this short video on how to make vanilla fudge
how to make easy vanilla fudge
- Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray or shortening, or line with greased parchment paper or non-stick foil.
- For even thicker fudge, try an 8-inch square pan.
- My preferred method for greasing the pan is to line the baking pan with parchment or non-stick foil, lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray, and remove the excess with a paper towel. This way, you can easily lift the fudge from the pan for cutting.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl place 2 ⅔ cups of chocolate chips 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. 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.
- I find that Nestle white chocolate chips melt a bit thinner than the Ghiradelli brand. So if you're using the latter, you may want to reduce the number of chocolate chips to 2 ½ 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 16 ounces. If using pure white chocolate (with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients), use 19 ounces.
- Stir in a tablespoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Yes, I really use a whole tablespoon of vanilla. This fudge is so flavorful!
- Gently stir in any mix-ins, if you're using them.
- Pour and spread into the prepared pan.
- Chill until well set, several hours. Cut into squares. Makes about 25 pieces.
how do I melt chocolate in the microwave?
The key to most of the easy fudge recipes on this blog is mixing chocolate with a shortcut ingredient (such as sweetened condensed milk) and melting the combination. The microwave is the easiest and fastest way to melt chocolate. Melting chocolate can be tricky because if you overheat the chocolate or scorch it, your fudge won't work.
So what is the best way to melt chocolate in the microwave?
Place your ingredients in a large, microwave-safe bowl, and first heat the mixture for 90 seconds at 70 percent power. If your microwave doesn't allow you to choose the power percentage, try the defrost setting. I find this time and power works perfectly when I make fudge. However, microwaves have different levels of power, so you may need to add more time. If so, add 15 seconds at a time. No matter how long it takes, heat only until the chocolate chips are about three-fourths of the way melted. That's the key! Do not fully melt the chocolate chips. Instead, stir well to use the residual heat to fully melt the chocolate chip mixture. This may take several minutes, but it will prevent you from overheating the chocolate and having it seize (or, stiffen suddenly).
For fantastic visual tips on how to melt chocolate in both the microwave AND the stove top, check out the video in this chocolate fudge post.
can I substitute evaporated milk for the sweetened condensed milk?
Eek! No! This recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, which is a great shortcut for easy fudge because it allows you to skip the candy-making stage of creating a sugar syrup. However, evaporated milk is not the same thing, and it cannot be used as a substitute. For more fudge recipes that use sweetened condensed milk, check out Rocky Road Fudge and Cookies and Cream Fudge.
recipe
Four-ingredient EASY vanilla fudge recipe you can personalize with any mix-ins you like.
- 2 ⅔ cup white chocolate chips 16 ounces SEE NOTES!!
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Prepare an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan by lining it with greased parchment paper or non-stick foil.
In a large, microwave-safe bowl place the white chocolate chips and the 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. If necessary, microwave for additional 15-second intervals.
Instead of melting in the microwave, you can also melt the chocolate and milk in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl on top of a saucepan of simmering water.
Stir in a vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Gently fold in any mix-ins, such as coarsely chopped nuts or dried fruits, if you are using them.
Pour and spread evenly in the prepared pan. Chill in the refrigerator several hours, until very well set. Cut into squares.
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 16 ounces. If using pure white chocolate (with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients), use 19 ounces.
More vanilla recipes
Is vanilla flavor your thing? If so, check out more vanilla-flavored inspiration.
- Root beer mug cake with vanilla ice cream ganache
- Homemade vanilla cupcakes
- Sugar doodle vanilla cookies
- No-Chill Sugar Cookies
more easy fudge recipes
Inspired to make more homemade fudge? Check out these awesome recipes:
Velveeta-is-the-secret-ingredient chocolate fudge
divine chocolate peanut butter fudge
- Pistachio fudge - February 2, 2023
- chocolate pecan fudge - January 26, 2023
- chocolate frosting fudge - January 24, 2022
Louise J
Will try adding coconut to the vanilla fudge. It looks great.
Beth
That would be a really nice addition to this recipe! Enjoy.
Ken C
What a simple yet tasty treat!
Beth
That it is!!!
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Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually realize what you are talking about!
Bookmarked.
Kelley Brown
I made this using Ghirardelli White Melting Wafers and it turned out great. It was crazy easy to make, which I loved.
Beth
That's a great idea. The melting wafers melt smoothly and have a really nice flavor. We are glad you liked this easy fudge recipe.
Kimberley
Thank you so much for this easy fudge recipe.It worked perfectly and the fudge tastes great.
Desiree
This is the best vanilla fudge I've ever eaten and it is so easy to make. Thanks for all these easy fudge recipes.
Shelly
This vanilla fudge was so easy to make and it tastes great!
Linnea Showers
This was so easy to make and had a really nice flavor and texture. I made three batches and mixed in cookies, candies, and even sprinkles. It's a great basic fudge recipe.
Beth
Adding mix-ins is a great idea. We are so glad you had fun with this fudge recipe.
Geoffrey
I love how easy this fudge is to make! It's very sweet, but I like that. 🙂
Beth
We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed this sweet vanilla fudge recipe!
Stella
Great recipe! Can i mix in some lemon juice? Like, will it have any negative effect on the fudge?
Beth
Thanks. Glad you like this easy fudge recipe. If you add enough lemon juice to flavor the fudge it will become very soft and possibly even sticky. You could add lemon extract or lemon oil to flavor it or better yet make our simple 2-ingredient lemon fudge recipe. You can find that here - https://howtomakeeasyfudge.com/lemon-fudge/
The lemon fudge has a wonderful lemon flavor and it is so easy to make.
Raina Strong
This fudge was so easy to make. I added some sprinkles on top which looked really fun.
Meaghan
Such a great idea to add a bit of rainbow!
Alexandra
So yummy!
Jill M.
Can I use the caramel version of the condensed milk to make this fudge?
Beth
Yes, you can but the fudge will taste like caramel not vanilla. I've used the caramel condensed milk and it makes a really wonderful caramel fudge.
Margit
Who knew fudge could be so easy to make?
Rosie
Love how easy this was! We added rice crispies to the mix for a little crunch. Yummy!
Sandy
This fudge couldn't have been easier to make. I've tried so many fudge recipes that have failed and this one seems fail proof.
RoseMary Hunter
I would like to know if you could add like peppermint extract to your vanilla fudge?
Beth
Definitely! The vanilla fudge is the perfect base for flavoring. Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract for a wonderfully flavored peppermint fudge. Enjoy.
Meaghan
Hi RoseMary, absolutely!! I made peppermint fudge for my other blog doing exactly that. Here is the link: https://thedecoratedcookie.com/peppermint-fudge/
Michelle
Mine was too soft😭. It tastes good but I guess needed more chips. Is it possible to melt it all back down gently and stir in more white chocolate chips? I really don't want it to go to waste.
Meaghan
Hi Michelle! As I mentioned above, chocolate can be so finicky. I might use the same exact amount of one brand it turns out perfectly, and you might use the same amount of another brand and it turns out softer. But you're right! The secret is in the chocolate. It should definitely help to gently melt it down (in a double boiler, or in a bowl set over simmering water) and adding more chocolate.
Ashley
This fudge is delicious! My husband and son are big fans of vanilla and they love this. We put little snowman faces on it with mini chocolate chips and orange sprinkles for a fun winter treat. It took quite a while to set up this last time we made it, though. How long does it usually take for you? Is it faster to set at room temperature? We put it in the fridge and it was still sticky and hard to cut after seven hours. I don't remember this being an issue last time we made it. Any ideas what could have caused that problem? Thanks for the delicious recipe and your help! 🙂
Meaghan
Hi Ashley, love that idea! The amount of time fudge takes to set depends on the chocolate and it varies from brand to brand. If fudge is too soft, it's because there isn't enough chocolate, and unfortunately, because it varies from brand to brand, what works well for me may be softer for you. Refrigeration definitely helps! Did you switch brands of chocolate? If so, that's the culprit. It can be rather frustrating, I know!
Tammy Ritchie
Can I use 2 cup of chips?
Meaghan
Hi Tammy, The recipe calls for 2 2/3 cups because I find that amount sets the best. 2 cups will likely be a much softer fudge that doesn't set as well, but if you prefer softer fudge, it's fine to try!
Debi
Can I fold in diced Kraft caramels after its been taken out of the microwave ? I live in a studio and don't have a kitchen and microwave fudge with chips and milk or frosting has made so many seniors in my complex smile again. I'm trying to get a good variety of flavors for them to enjoy and not get bored. Haven't made white chocolate fudge yet but I think caramel bits would be good. Will the fudge still get firm?
Meaghan
Hi Debi! I think it's a great idea and something to try, but I've NOT done that personally, so I can't guarantee it would work. I'm not sure if the mixture would be hot enough to melt the caramel. My gut tells me it would be great and would still get firm, but if you want to play it save, we also have a recipe for caramel fudge that can be made in the microwave: https://howtomakeeasyfudge.com/caramel-fudge/
Oh, and if you're looking for microwave treats, we have a jillion awesome recipes on our other site, Howtomakecerealtreats.com!
Shana
I was looking for a vanilla fudge recipe for my kids who have food allergies and are unable to eat store bought fudge. This is definitely different from vanilla fudge at the beach fudge stores...it's a lot sweeter and just has a different flavor. If you like the flavor of white chocolate chips, then I'm sure you'll like this creamy fudge. Our family definitely prefers the chocolate though 🙂
Al
White chocolate is not vanilla.
Meaghan
No, but a whole tablespoon of vanilla extract is vanilla.
Happy mom
Easy to follow- stove top instructions. Preteens loved eating and making it with me. ( 12 & 14)