5 Different Types of Fudge (by Cooking Method)

Discover the different types of fudge by learning about the different ways to make them, get to know the many different fudge flavors to be enjoyed, and try out these simple fudge recipes.

The origin of fudge is uncertain but the first fudge ever sold took place in 1886 at a local Baltimore grocery store for 40 cents a pound. It is said that the fudge was first created when someone “fudged up” while making caramel. Others, on the other hand, say that a college lecturer in Virginia accidentally made fudge during one of her lectures in toffee making when the temperature was not taken high enough.

The U.S. celebrates the National Fudge Day every June 16th. They also celebrate National Nutty Fudge Day on May 12th and National Peanut Butter Fudge Day on November 20th.

Related: How to Make Fudge | Fudge Pudding Cake Recipe | How to Store Fudge | Couverture Chocolate | Types of Brownies | How to Store Chocolate 

Ways to Make Fudge

1. Microwave

This is one of the easiest and simplest ways to make fudge. You just need to mix the main ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl, heat them on high for 30-second increments while stirring occasionally until melted. When the mixture is fully melted, you can stir in additional ingredients until they become a soft fudge mixture. Transfer to an 8×8 pan lined with wax paper or plastic wrap, press evenly and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until set and firm.

2. Slow Cooker

The slow cooker method is just as easy as the microwave method. It also starts out the same way by mixing the basic ingredients. Then heat all these ingredients on low heat in the slow cooker for up to an hour while stirring occasionally. You can remove the mixture from the cooker as soon as it’s fully melted or become claylike. Stir in additional ingredients then transfer the fudge mixture into the 8×8″ prepared pan lined with wax paper or plastic wrap. Press evenly and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until firm.

3. Stovetop

The stovetop method of making fudge is almost similar to the slow cooker method. The difference is that the stovetop is a hotter source between the two and so the ingredients here is the hottest and tending to the pan is a must.

4. Three-Minute-Recipe

This method takes three minutes and three ingredients to make fudge. You simply prepare a pan lined with parchment, mix the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for a minute. You can remove the mixture from heat and let dry for another minute, stirring until the mixture is smooth and completely melted. Pour into the prepared pan and let it cool.

5. Two-Ingredient Easy Fudge

A sample of this method includes three cups of chocolate chips and one can of sweetened condensed milk. Pour the ingredients into a microwave-safe bowl, heat in 30 seconds increments while stirring after every 30 seconds. Transfer to the prepared 8×8″ pan once fully melted and let cool in the fridge.

Basic Fudge Flavors

There are many different types of fudge, and recipes can be found all over the Internet, including recipes for the following types of fudge.

1. 5-Minute Caramel Apple Fudge
2. Almond Joy Fudge
3. Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Fudge
4. Black Forest Fudge
5. Brown Butter Fudge
6. Brown Sugar Fudge
7. Buckeye Fudge
8. Candy Cane Chocolate Swirl Fudge
9. Carrot Cake Fudge
10. Cherry Vanilla Bean Fudge
11. Chocolate Lavender Fudge with Salted Caramel Top
12. Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
13. Coconut White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Fudge
14. Cookie Butter Pecan Fudge
15. Cookie Crumb Caramel Microwave Fudge
16. Cookies and Cream Fudge
17. Cranberry Bliss Fudge
18. Easy Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
19. Easy Mocha Fudge
20. Easy Peanut Butter Cup Fudge with Salted Bourbon Sugar
21. Easy Peanut Butter Snickers Fudge
22. Easy Pumpkin Spice Pecan Fudge
23. Easy Salted Caramel Fudge
24. Eggnog Fudge
25. Four-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
26. Funfetti Golden Oreo Fudge
27. German Chocolate Fudge
28. Gingerbread Cookie Fudge
29. Gingerbread Fudge
30. Gumdrop Fudge
31. Hot Chocolate Fudge
32. Ibarra Chile Fudge
33. Kahlua Fudge
34. Key Lime Pie Fudge
35. Layered Peppermint Fudge
36. M&M Cookie Dough Stuffed Fudge
37. Malt Ball Fudge
38. Maple Nut Fudge
39. Maple Walnut Fudge
40. Marbled Mint Chocolate Fudge
41. Microwave Peanut Butter Cup Fudge
42. Mocha Almond Fudge
43. Mocha Coconut Fudge
44. Neapolitan Fudge
45. Nutella Cherry Hazelnut Fudge
46. Nutter Butter Fudge
47. Old-Fashioned Fudge
48. Peanut Butter Chocolate-Covered Potato Chip Dulce De Leche Fudge
49. Peanut Butter Fudge
50. Peanut Butter Nutella Swirled
51. Pecan Buttermilk Fudge
52. Pecan Pie Cheesecake Fudge
53. Penuche Fudge
54. Peppermint Chocolate Fudge
55. Pomegranate Fudge
56. Potato Chip Chocolate Fudge
57. Pralines and Cream Fudge
58. Raw Double Layer Chocolate Fudge with Cacao Nibs
59. Red Velvet Fudge
60. Rocky Road Fudge
61. Root Beer Fudge
62. S’Mores Fudge
63. Salted Caramel Fudge
64. Salted Dark Chocolate Bourbon Fudge
65. Salted Dark Chocolate Toffee Fudge
66. Sea Salt and Nutella Fudge
67. Simple Chocolate Fudge
68. Snickerdoodle Fudge
69. Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge
70. Sugar Cookie Fudge
71. Thai Tea Fudge
72. Tiger Butter Fudge
73. Toasted Coconut White Chocolate Fudge
74. Vanilla Bean Fudge
75. White Chocolate Cookie Dough Fudge
76. White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Fudge
77. White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
78. White Chocolate Rocky Road Fudge
79. White Chocolate, Peanut, Pretzel, and Chocolate Chip Fudge
80. World’s Smoothest Chocolate Fudge

Basic Fudge Recipes

Brown Sugar Fudge

• 3 cups brown sugar
• ¾ cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Grease an 8 x 8 pan. Place the brown sugar, milk, and butter in a pan, and bring to a boil. Boil it for exactly 10 minutes, then remove from heat and add the confectioners’ sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for exactly 5 minutes, then stir in the walnuts. Spread the entire mixture in the pan and let it cool, then slice and eat.

Maple Walnut Fudge

• 4 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup butter
• ¾ cup maple syrup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Line bread baking pans with wax paper. Take a large saucepan and mix the granulated sugar, butter, maple syrup, and milk. While stirring occasionally, keep cooking the mixture until it gets to 225-235 degrees according to a cooking thermometer. Remove from heat and let it cool to 115 degrees. Add the walnuts and vanilla at this time.

Take a mixer and mix at medium speed until its gloss is gone and it begins to harden around the saucepan. Pour the mixture into the baking pans. Place the pans in your refrigerator until the mixture hardens, then remove from the fridge and slice to the desired thickness.

Peanut Butter Fudge

• 8 oz. unsalted butter, plus extra to grease pan
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 lb. powdered sugar

Combine the butter and peanut butter in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap, then microwave for 2 minutes. Stir the mixture, then microwave for 2 additional minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar, then stir with a wooden spoon to combine the mixture.

Spread into an 8 x 8 pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Cover the pan with the extra section of the parchment paper then place it in the fridge until it is cool. This should take roughly 2 hours. When ready to eat, cut into 1-inch pieces and serve.

Peppermint Chocolate Fudge

• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 14-oz. can condensed sweetened milk
• 1 TBL. butter
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. coffee extract
• ¾ cup Andes peppermint baking chips
• Sprinkles to place on top (optional)

Line an 8 x 8 pan with foil, then spray lightly with cooking spray. In a large microwave-safe bowl, place the chocolate chips, milk, and butter and heat in 1-minute increments until the chocolate chips have melted completely. Stir in the vanilla and coffee extracts, then add the peppermint chips. Pour the mixture into the pan and add the sprinkles if that’s your preference. Chill 1-2 hours and serve at room temperature.

Simple Chocolate Fudge

• 3 4-oz. packages of semi-sweet baking chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Line an 8 x 8 pan with foil, and microwave the chocolate and the milk in 2-minute increments until everything is melted. Stir the mixture until it is completely smooth and add the vanilla extract. Spread the mixture into the pan and refrigerate until it is firm – usually 1-2 hours. Cut into squares before serving.