Easy 5-Minute Microwave Fudge
This unbelievably easy, 5-Minute Microwave Fudge will melt in your mouth! Rich, creamy, chocolatey fudge squares without the hassle of making temperamental, old-fashioned stovetop fudge. Your guests will never guess that your fudge was made in the microwave!
Who doesn’t love chocolate fudge? It’s creamy, sweet, and the perfect dessert to have after dinner. Although it can be tempting to purchase fudge for convenience, homemade chocolate fudge tastes wonderful and is so easy to make!
I’m all about a recipe that’s not only easy but requires no oven or stovetop cooking. And this 5 minute microwave fudge recipe requires minimal effort for delicious results!
Believe me, this recipe is so easy it’s almost embarrassing. All you need are 4 ingredients and about 5 minutes to make this decadent treat! What could be better than that?
It makes a great gift for friends and neighbors during the holiday season. You’ll be surprised how many people ask for the recipe after they taste it.
- It’s quick and easy with minimal clean-up.
- Satisfies your sweet tooth without being too sweet.
- Can be made in a pinch. You probably already have the ingredients on hand.
- A great holiday treat!
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×5 loaf pan
- Microwave safe bowl
- Spatula or wooden spoon
About the Ingredients
- Chocolate Chips (I use semi-sweet chocolate and always purchase a quality brand. Store brands and other lower quality brands tend to be waxier.)
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (Eagle Brand recommended.)
- Butter (The butter should be cold and cut into small pieces.)
- Vanilla Extract (It seems contradictory, but vanilla is almost always used with chocolate to bring out the flavor.)
You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Easy Microwave Fudge
Let’s Go Step-by-Step
I always like to show you the photos and step-by-step instructions for my recipes to help you picture how to make them in your own kitchen. If you just want to print out a copy, you can skip to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the recipe card.
Prepare the Pan
Step 1: Butter a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set it aside.
Melt the Chocolate
Step 2: Using a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips on high for one minute. Stir, then microwave again for 30 seconds. Continue microwaving in 10 second increments until chips are almost completely melted.
COOK’S TIP
Be sure to check and stir the chocolate frequently. The chips will hold their shape and appear to be not melt until stirred. Stop microwaving when the chips are about 90% melted. They’ll finish melting from the residual heat.
Add Milk
Step 3: Remove from the microwave and add the condensed milk. Stir until incorporated into the chocolate.
Add Butter
Step 4: Cut the butter into small pieces and put it on top of the chocolate mixture in the bowl.
Step 5: Return the bowl to the microwave for another 30-45 seconds until the butter is melted. Stir well.
Step 6: Add the vanilla and stir until smooth.
Pour into Pan
Step 7: Pour into the prepared loaf pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap.
Chill
Step 8: Chill for at least 2 hours.
Cut and Serve
Step 9: Use a sharp knife to cut the fudge into squares and serve.
COOK’S TIP
To make cutting the fudge easier and neater, heat the knife under hot running water. Wipe the blade clean between each cut.
Storage
- Storage: This easy, five-minute microwave fudge should be stored at room temperature in a sealed container. It will last for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: The fudge may be frozen in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to four weeks. I prefer to cut it into serving-sized pieces before freezing.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Because this recipe comes together so quickly, it’s easiest to have all the ingredients and equipment ready before you start.
- Be careful when microwaving – If you overheat the fudge, it will get dry and crumbly (called “seizing”). Be sure to keep an eye on it while it is heating.
- If you want even easier cleanup, line the pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and then spray or butter the liner.
- This five-minute microwave fudge recipe is easy to customize! Try adding sea salt on top, or mix in chopped walnuts or pecans.
- White chocolate fudge with peppermint bits makes a great holiday treat. Substitute white chocolate chips and add in some crushed candy canes!
- Vary the flavoring extract to make different versions of fudge. Use peppermint extract to make a mint chocolate chip fudge or orange extract with white chocolate for a delicious treat!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’d rather use the stovetop for this easy fudge recipe, you can melt the chocolate in a double boiler. It will take a little longer, but it is much less likely to burn or seize.
If you’re using baking chocolate instead of chocolate chips, it should be chopped roughly before melting. Either break it into pieces with your hands, roughly chop it with a chef’s knife or pulse it in a food processor.
You can double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan for molding the fudge. The microwaving time will need to be adjusted and monitored carefully.
Have you tried this recipe? I’d really appreciate you giving it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card or in the comments section.
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Recipe
Easy 5 Minute Microwave Fudge
Ingredients
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (about two cups)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk recommend Eagle Brand
- 2 tablespoons butter cold
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Butter a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set it aside.
- Using a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips on high for one minute. Stir, then microwave again for 30 seconds. Continue microwaving in 10 second increments until chips are almost completely melted.Be sure to check and stir the chocolate frequently. The chips will hold their shape and appear to be not melt until stirred. Stop microwaving when the chips are about 90% melted. They'll finish melting from the residual heat.
- Remove from the microwave and add the condensed milk. Stir until incorporated into the chocolate.
- Cut the butter into small pieces and put it on top of the chocolate mixture in the bowl.
- Return the bowl to the microwave for another 30-45 seconds until the butter is melted. Stir well.
- Add the vanilla and stir until smooth.
- Pour into the prepared loaf pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap.
- Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the fudge into squares and serve.
Notes
- Because this recipe comes together so quickly, it’s easiest to have all the ingredients and equipment ready before you start.
- Be careful when microwaving – If you overheat the fudge, it will get dry and crumbly (called “seizing”). Be sure to keep an eye on it while it is heating.
- If you want even easier cleanup, line the pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and then spray or butter the liner.
- To make cutting the fudge easier and neater, heat the knife under hot running water. Wipe the blade clean between each cut.
- If you’d rather use the stovetop for this easy fudge recipe, you can melt the chocolate in a double boiler. It will take a little longer, but it is much less likely to burn or seize.
- You can double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan for molding the fudge. The microwaving time will need to be adjusted and monitored carefully.
- Storage: This easy, five-minute microwave fudge should be stored at room temperature in a sealed container. It will last for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: The fudge may be frozen in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to four weeks. I prefer to cut it into serving-sized pieces before freezing.
- Try adding sea salt on top, or mix in chopped walnuts or pecans.
- White chocolate fudge with peppermint bits makes a great holiday treat. Substitute white chocolate chips and add in some crushed candy canes!
- Vary the flavoring extract to make different versions of fudge. Use peppermint extract to make a mint chocolate chip fudge or orange extract with white chocolate for a delicious treat!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
For health reasons, (I know; why am I making fudge if I’m not suppose to,) I made your recipe for Microwave fudge using 12-oz of Hershey’s “Zero Sugar” dark chocolate chips. It is delicious! Next time I’m going to try it with orange extract. Thank you.
Glad you found a recipe you could enjoy even with your dietary restrictions!
Yummmm!!!
Thanks!
WILL THIS WORK WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS?
I’ve never tried it with white chocolate. If you decide to give it a try, let me know how it turns out!
I am now wondering if I have ever made fudge or not… but this looks simple and so over-the-top delicious! I’d eat it all is the only problem. Perfect perfect fudge!
Buttermilk pralines! Oh my…
I’ve never been a big fudge maker because we always seem to have a ton given to us, but I just may make a batch this year. This recipe look YUM!
There’s nothing like delicious fudge, and easy to make even better :)
Ooh how tempting!
I’ve made this fudge for years Lana and admit the first time I scoffed a bit at the marshmallow (or in my case marshmallow creme) that is used. No more. It tastes fabulous and is so much less complicated than ones where getting to the perfect temperature is required. At altitude that complicates things too much…almost worse than baking!
I love making fudge around Christmas-time, and I haven’t made any yet this year. Thanks for this beautiful reminder!
Although I usually find fudge a bit much (one bite is enough), everyone in my life would love this beautiful fudge, and the fact that it takes just minutes to prepare is holiday heaven! My 3 year old nephew will go nuts over this!! The 8 month old doesn’t have enough teeth for it yet lol