Short on time but craving an irresistibly rich chocolate treat? Look no further than this incredibly simple 3-Ingredient Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge!
Whether you're seeking a quick, thoughtful gift for a friend, planning a fun and easy afternoon activity with your children, or simply desire a decadent indulgence without the fuss, this easy fudge recipe is your perfect solution. It delivers a rich, creamy, and wonderfully sweet experience with minimal effort and ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Effortless 3-Ingredient Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge: Your Go-To Easy Dessert!
Why You Must Make This Easy Fudge
Life gets busy, but the desire for homemade goodness never fades. We all have those moments when a special occasion arises, unexpected guests drop by, or a sudden sweet craving hits, leaving us scrambling for a quick yet impressive dessert. This 3-ingredient fudge emerges as a true lifesaver, designed for those exact scenarios. It's not just another recipe; it's a promise of deliciousness delivered with unparalleled ease.
- Unbeatable Simplicity: The ultimate draw of this recipe lies in its minimalist approach. Forget long ingredient lists or complicated steps. All you need are three kitchen staples to create a truly exceptional treat. It’s perfect for beginner bakers or anyone who appreciates efficiency in the kitchen.
- Speed and Efficiency: From start to finish, this fudge comes together in a matter of minutes. The microwave does most of the heavy lifting, making it an ideal choice for last-minute preparations when time is of the essence. No extensive baking, no intricate cooling processes—just pure, straightforward deliciousness.
- Rich, Decadent Flavor: Don't let the simplicity fool you; this fudge is anything but basic in taste. Made with quality semi-sweet chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, it boasts a deeply rich, intense chocolate flavor that is perfectly balanced by the sweet, airy marshmallows. It’s a sophisticated sweetness that appeals to all palates.
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: This fudge is a fantastic addition to any dessert spread, potluck, or holiday celebration. It also makes for an excellent homemade gift, beautifully packaged in a festive tin or box. Its universal appeal ensures it’s always a hit, making you the star of any gathering.
- Long-Lasting Goodness: Unlike many desserts that must be consumed immediately, this chocolate marshmallow fudge keeps beautifully for an extended period, whether stored in the fridge or freezer. This means you can prepare it ahead of time, enjoy it at your leisure, and even have an emergency stash for those unexpected sweet cravings.
The Magic Trio: Understanding Your Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe truly lies in its select few ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating the perfect fudge. When you understand how these three components interact, you appreciate the simplicity even more.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate: This is the backbone of your fudge, providing its signature deep chocolate flavor. Using semi-sweet chocolate ensures a rich taste without being overly sweet, allowing the other ingredients to perfectly balance it. You can use chocolate chips or, for a superior melt and flavor, finely chopped high-quality semi-sweet chocolate bars (like Ghirardelli, as in the original recipe). The quality of your chocolate will significantly impact the final taste.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This unassuming can is the secret to fudge’s creamy texture and delightful sweetness. Unlike regular milk, sweetened condensed milk is thick, sugary, and cooked down, which helps the chocolate achieve its smooth, firm consistency when cooled. It acts as both a binder and a sweetening agent, eliminating the need for granulated sugar or additional fat.
- Mini Marshmallows: The "marshmallow" in our fudge! These tiny morsels not only add a lovely chewiness and airy texture but also contribute to the overall sweetness and provide a delightful visual contrast within the dark chocolate base. They melt beautifully into the fudge mixture, creating soft, pillowy pockets of sweetness that are simply irresistible.
Crafting Your Fudge: A Step-by-Step Guide
I may not be the primary fudge or marshmallow enthusiast in my family, but even I found this creation utterly delightful! The use of semi-sweet chocolate provides a more intense chocolate base compared to some overly sweet fudge recipes, like my No-Fail Fudge. The marshmallows, however, introduce a playful sweetness that perfectly balances the chocolate's depth, creating a harmonious flavor profile that is truly addictive. It’s a foolproof process that guarantees success every time.
- Prepare Your Pan: First, line an 8x8-inch baking pan with nonstick foil. This crucial step serves two main purposes: it ensures the fudge won't stick, making cleanup a breeze, and it creates a convenient "sling" that allows you to easily lift the cooled fudge out of the pan for neat and precise cutting. If nonstick foil isn't available, regular foil sprayed lightly with cooking spray or parchment paper will also work well.
- Combine Ingredients: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your semi-sweet chocolate (whether chips or chopped bars) with the can of sweetened condensed milk. Ensure the bowl is large enough to allow for stirring without spillage.
- Melt Gradually: Place the bowl in the microwave and heat in 30-second intervals. After each interval, remove the bowl and stir the mixture thoroughly. This gradual melting process is key to preventing the chocolate from burning or seizing. Continue microwaving and stirring until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth, glossy, and well combined. Patience here will result in perfectly smooth fudge. Alternatively, you can melt these ingredients together in a double boiler over simmering water, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Fold in Marshmallows: Once your chocolate and condensed milk mixture is silky smooth, gently fold in the mini marshmallows. Stir just enough to evenly distribute them throughout the fudge. If you prefer distinct marshmallow pockets, stir minimally. For a more integrated, slightly melted marshmallow texture, you can stir for a bit longer.
- Set and Chill: Pour the warm fudge mixture into your prepared 8x8-inch pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly into all corners. Refrigerate the fudge for at least one hour, or until it is completely firm and set. This chilling time is essential for the fudge to achieve its characteristic texture and for easy cutting.
- Cut and Serve: Once thoroughly chilled and firm, use the foil sling to lift the fudge block out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board. For clean, sharp edges, use a warm knife (run it under hot water and wipe dry) to cut the fudge into desired squares. Serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.
How to Store Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge
One of the many advantages of this delightful fudge, made with sweetened condensed milk, is its impressive shelf life. Properly stored, it maintains its fresh taste and texture, allowing you to enjoy it over several weeks or even months. Proper storage is crucial to preserve its quality and prevent it from drying out.
- PRO-Tip for Storage: Always store your chocolate marshmallow fudge in an airtight container. To prevent pieces from sticking together and to maintain their individual integrity, cut the fudge into squares first. Then, stack the squares with a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer. This method makes it easy to grab a single piece without disrupting the rest.
- Room Temperature: For immediate enjoyment, you can keep the fudge at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. Ensure it's stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources, which could cause it to soften.
- Refrigerator: To extend its freshness, store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month. Chilling the fudge also gives it a firmer, chewier texture, which many people prefer. Allow it to sit out for a few minutes before serving if you prefer a slightly softer bite.
- Freezer: For long-term storage, this fudge freezes beautifully for 3-4 months. Wrap individual pieces or layers tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw the fudge in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Freezing is an excellent way to prepare large batches for future holidays or unexpected dessert needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fudge
These two types of milk are not interchangeable in fudge recipes, as they create distinctly different results and methods of preparation. Fudge made with sweetened condensed milk, like this recipe, is incredibly simple, often requiring just a few ingredients and a microwave for melting. It yields a creamy, rich fudge with a dense texture and is known for its ease.
Fudge made with evaporated milk, on the other hand, typically involves a stovetop method, requiring the mixture to be boiled to a specific temperature. This approach usually takes more time, uses additional ingredients (like butter and granulated sugar), and results in a fudge with a slightly different, often more granular or crystallized, texture. Ultimately, whether one is "better" is a matter of personal preference regarding texture and desired preparation complexity.
Making fudge with condensed milk is wonderfully straightforward. The basic process involves melting chopped chocolate (or chocolate chips) together with a can of sweetened condensed milk in a heat-safe bowl. This can be done efficiently in the microwave, using short 30-second bursts and stirring between each interval until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Once melted, additional ingredients such as marshmallows, nuts, or flavorings are stirred in. The mixture is then spread into a prepared pan and chilled until firm, after which it's ready to be cut into squares and served.
The beauty of fudge is its incredible versatility! Once you have the basic chocolate and condensed milk base, the possibilities for customization are truly endless. You can transform your fudge into a new creation every time by adding a variety of mix-ins. Consider incorporating crunchy elements like chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, peanuts – toasted for enhanced flavor!), mini chocolate chips (frozen beforehand to prevent them from melting completely), or crushed cookies such as Oreos or Biscoff.
For a fruity twist, dried fruits like cranberries, cherries, or raisins work wonderfully. If you love candy, try chopped candy bars (Milky Way, Snickers, peppermint patties), Heath bar bits, or even colorful M&Ms. For a touch of festive flair, peppermint extract and crushed candy canes are perfect. A swirl of caramel or peanut butter through the mixture before chilling also adds a delicious complexity. Don't be afraid to experiment with extracts like almond or a touch of flaky sea salt sprinkled on top for a delightful sweet and salty contrast!
If your fudge is too soft, it might not have been chilled long enough, or there might have been too much liquid in the mixture. Ensure you're using full-fat sweetened condensed milk and not a reduced-fat version, which can alter the consistency. Also, make sure your chocolate is fully melted and incorporated. For fudge that is too hard, it's usually a sign that the chocolate was overheated or overcooked during the melting process, causing it to seize. Melting in short intervals and stirring thoroughly is crucial to avoid this. The quality of chocolate can also play a role; some chocolates set firmer than others.
Absolutely! While semi-sweet chocolate offers a balanced richness, you can certainly experiment with other types. Using milk chocolate will result in a sweeter, milder fudge that is very popular, especially with kids. For a richer, more intense chocolate flavor, opt for dark chocolate. If using darker chocolate (70% cacao or higher), you might want to increase the marshmallows slightly or add a touch more condensed milk to balance the bitterness. White chocolate also works beautifully, creating a creamy, vanilla-infused fudge base that can be customized with various colors and flavorings.
Beyond the Basics: More Indulgent Treats
If you've fallen in love with the simplicity and deliciousness of this 3-ingredient fudge, you're in for a treat! There's a whole world of easy, delightful fudge recipes and other incredible desserts waiting to be discovered. Expand your repertoire with these fantastic ideas:
- 25 Easy Fudge Recipes from Wine and Glue
- Red Velvet Fudge
- Oreo White Chocolate Fudge
- Festive White Chocolate Fudge
- White Chocolate Fudge with Sprinkles
- More of my Best Dessert Recipes
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Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge Recipe
15 minutes
2 minutes
17 minutes
36 squares
An easy and delicious fudge recipe chock full of sweet marshmallows, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (or 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate and 4 ounces milk chocolate), preferably Ghirardelli bars, finely chopped
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Line an 8x8-inch pan with nonstick foil, extending over the sides to create a sling.
- Combine chopped chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave the mixture in 30-second increments, stopping to stir thoroughly after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Stir in the mini marshmallows until they are evenly distributed throughout the warm fudge mixture.
- Spread the fudge evenly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate for at least one hour, or until the fudge is completely firm and set. Once firm, lift the fudge out of the pan using the foil sling, cut into squares, and serve.
Notes
This chocolate marshmallow fudge freezes exceptionally well. For best results, wrap individual pieces or layers in plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Recommended Products
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- 3 Pyrex Mixing Bowls
- Nonstick Foil
- 8 x 8-inch Baking Pan
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
36
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 108Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 23mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 2g
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