Easy Microwave Fudge ~ the fast track to classic, melt-in-your-mouth homemade chocolate fudge.
microwave fudge ~ no kitchen required!
Yesterday my youngest chirpped in from college with a request. She was in the mood to cook something, but her dorm only has a microwave, no stove or oven. My first suggestion was microwave fudge. You can do that, she asked? Yup, I responded, and copied and pasted a couple of quick links her way. After a few back and forths…she wanted real chocolate, not cocoa powder, no marshmallow, etc…we came up with the perfect recipe.
My microwave fudge is:
- Quick easy and foolproof ~ it sets reliably every time, no thermometer or tricky timing involved. If you’ve ever suffered through a failed batch of fudge, you’ll appreciate this!
- Creamier, almost truffle like texture ~ never grainy.
- Easy to add extras like nuts etc. because it sets up slowly, giving you time to fold them in and spread out the fudge before it starts to solidify.
ingredients for microwave fudge
- chocolate
- choose whatever chocolate you like, can be chips, bar chocolate, melting wafers, or fancy French stuff. It will all work. You can even combine. I cleaned out my chocolate stash and mixed several different varieties. Yum!
- sweetened condensed milk
- The concentrated milk solids in sweetened condensed milk keep large crystals from forming, so the fudge sets smooth and creamy instead of grainy.
- butter
- I use salted butter.
- nuts
- pecans, walnuts, a combination, or leave them out! Toast them first for added flavor.
- vanilla
how to make microwave fudge
- Line a 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper or heavy duty plastic (spray plastic with cooking spray.)
- In a large microwave safe bowl put the chocolate, the butter and the condensed milk. Microwave on high 2 minutes. Remove and stir.
- If the chocolate is not completely melted, put in back in the microwave for another 15 seconds and stir again, letting the residual heat in the bowl finish melting the chocolate.
- When it’s completely smooth, add in the vanilla and nuts and stir to combine.
- Spread into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or until nice and firm.
- Remove the hardened fudge from the pan and carefully remove your paper or plastic.
- Cut into squares with a sharp knife.
you asked…
Mine is 1200 Watts (look inside the door of your microwave, or on the back to check yours) If your machine is more or less powerful than mine you can still make fudge, just adjust your melting time.
No, you need to use sweetened condensed milk for microwave fudge.
Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the ingredients before microwaving.
You can but expect a very sweet fudge. I like to use semi-sweet or bittersweet to counter the sweetness of the condensed milk.
Microwave fudge can be slightly softer and more truffle-like than cooked fudge, but this recipe is guaranteed to firm up in the fridge after 2 hours. Make sure you follow exactly: use sweetened condensed milk (not regular milk, or evaporated milk!) and use the full amount of chocolate.
You overheated your mixture. Try microwaving for less time, and allow the heat of the bowl to finish the melting as you stir.
Yes ~ just flash freeze the pieces on a tray until firm, then pack them into a zip-top bag so they don’t stick.
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Microwave Fudge
Equipment
- microwave oven (mine is 1200 watts)
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 18 ounces* chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate, semi sweet or bittersweet preferred
- 1/4 cup salted butter, cut in pieces
- 1 tsp vanilla
optional
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans
Instructions
- Line a 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper or heavy duty plastic wrap. If using plastic spray with cooking spray.
- In a large microwave safe bowl put the chopped chocolate or chips, the butter and the condensed milk.
- Microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes. Remove and stir until smooth and lump free.
- If the chocolate is not completely melted, put in back in the microwave for another 15 seconds and stir again, letting the residual heat in the bowl finish melting the chocolate.
- When it’s completely smooth, add in the vanilla and nuts, if using, and stir to combine.
- Spread into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Remove fudge from the pan and carefully peel off your liner. Cut into squares with a sharp knife.
Notes
Nutrition
what else can the microwave do?
The microwave is an amazing thing. If you’ve got a potato hanging around you can make Easy Microwave Potato Chips Recipe. If you’re in the mood for pancakes, how about trying a Microwave Pancake in a Mug? You can Dry Herbs in the Microwave. You can even make Instant Microwave Macaroni and Cheese!
How lovely is it that your daughters are in constant contact, that says a lot about both of you. Great fudge too.
I love microwave fudge. I don’t make it any other way. Your daughter will love her package when it arrives in the mail.
Yummmm! Your daughters are so lucky. I’m in the same boat this year, both are engaged, one is having a baby any day, and neither is at home. I miss them and want to feed them when they stop by. This fudge looks fantastic.
OMG. That looks delicious and I love the recipe. If only they could make chocolate chips calorie free it would be heaven on earth. I sound like an old woman but I do not IM or text my daughters. Nor do I encourage them to contact me this way, save for an emergency. I much prefer their voices and would rather talk less often than text daily. My girls have been on their own for quite a while now, so I don’t suffer from the separation anxiety I felt when they first left home. It sounds like you have a wonderful relationship with your daughters. It will get even better as they grow older. In the meantime, have a great day. Blessings…Mary
I can’t believe you made this in the microwave! It looks divine. Your daughter will be so happy 🙂
I remember how frustrating dorm kitchens are – your daughter will love the care package.
Now that’s clever-who says you don’t have time to make dessert?
Uh-oh. This looks like a delicious, dangerous, delicious recipe!
What a good mom you are! The fudge looks delicious!
Oh, Sue! You did not just put fudge at my fingertips in microwavable ease. You are going to be the death of me. Everything you make is way to tempting! Your girls are so lucky to have you.
Can your daughter use a crockpot in her dorm room? A hot plate or electric skillet? There are a lot of snacks, meals, desserts etc that can be made that way. Fondue is an awesome middle of the night snack that her friends would thank her for too! Chocolates, cheeses, so much fun.
Mary I love the fondue idea. Our family used to go to an old world fondue restaurant for big events like birthdays. etc., and then one day it closed. We all miss it so much, but have never thought about doing our own fondue. I think I’ll look for a cheap fondue set to send her, that would be such fun in a dorm. I think she should be able to use it somewhere in the building, if not actually in her room, thanks!