Easy Chocolate Almond Fudge - 4 ingredient recipe (2024)

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With this easy fudge recipe you can make delicious chocolate almond fudge in no time at all! This foolproof recipe has only four ingredients and is perfect for either a holiday treat or as a quick and easy homemade food gift for Christmas.

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This chocolate almond fudge reminds me of a Hershey’s bar with almonds! The creamy chocolate fudge is a classic no bake dessert.

In addition to being delicious this easy fudge recipe is all about convenience. It is an excellent way to get creamy fudgy goodness without spending much time or effort.

This easy fudge recipe uses chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk to shortcut the candy making process. So there is no need for a candy thermometer or other equipment.

Love to make holiday candy? Check out recipes for Peppermint Patties, White Chocolate Fudge, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls!

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Why You Will Love this Easy Fudge Recipe

  • This recipe is easy to make and takes only a few minutes. It is the best fudge to make when you don’t have much time.
  • The homemade fudge is made with ingredients you can keep in your pantry, so you can make fudge anytime you want a sweet treat.
  • This easy chocolate fudge is dense, rich, creamy and full of chocolate flavor.
  • Fudge makes an excellent food gift that everyone loves.
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Key Ingredients

  • Sweetened condensed milk – This is canned milk that has been sweetened and has the water removed. Sweetened condensed milk is used in a lot of quick and easy desserts, so I always keep a can or two on hand in the pantry, because you never know when you will want to make an easy dessert fast!
  • Semi sweet chocolate chips – Switching up the type of chocolate chips is an easy way to modify your recipe to suit your family.
  • Almonds – I love Hershey’s with Almonds, so it is no surprise that I decided to use almonds in this recipe! To make it even easier to make you can buy slivered almonds, so you don’t even have to chop the nuts.
  • Almond extract – The almond extract enhances the flavor of the homemade fudge. If you don’t have almond extract you can substitute vanilla extract.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Prepare

Preparing a pan to hold the chocolate almond fudge is the first step. This recipe is made in an 8 x 8 inch or 9 x 9 inch square pan.

If you have a silicone pan this size use that, because the fudge will come out easily with no preparation. I love the square Trudeau pan I used here because it has some steel in it so it doesn’t flop around like many silicone pans do!

If you don’t have a silicone pan line the square pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Then you will be able to lift the fudge out after it has cooled.

Also if you aren’t using slivered almonds then chop your nuts now, before you start making the fudge. Once the chocolate is melted you will want to mix the fudge right away.

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2. Melt the Chocolate

Put the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a small saucepan on medium heat. Stir the ingredients constantly until they melt and combine.

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3. Stir in Additions

Once the chocolate has melted take it off the heat. Stir in the almond extract. Then add in the slivered almonds and mix them in.

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Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to scrape all the fudge out of the saucepan and spread the fudge evenly in the pan. It will be thick!

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4. Let Cool

Put the chocolate almond fudge in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours until it is set. Then carefully remove it from the square dish and cut it into bite size squares.

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Don’t try to speed the cooling process up by putting the fudge in the freezer! You can freeze fudge, but only after it has set.

How to Store

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to a week. If you have more than one layer of fudge in your container use parchment paper to separate the layers.

Whether or not to refrigerate fudge is mostly a matter of taste. It will be softer if it is stored at room temperature. It will be firmer and colder if it is refrigerated.

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Cutting Tips

Fudge looks most elegant when it is cut into nice even squares, especially if you are giving it as a gift.

One trick to cutting the fudge evenly is to dip the knife in hot water and then dry it. This makes it warm, which will help it cut evenly.

Another trick is to use dental floss instead of a knife to cut it. I haven’t had as much success with this method, but some people swear it works!

Packaging Homemade Fudge for Gift Giving

Fudge makes an excellent Christmas gift because it isn’t fragile and keeps at room temperature. The easiest way to package it is to wrap it in plastic wrap or waxed paper and then place it in a gift box or gift tin.

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Variations

Topping the chocolate almond fudge

If you really love almonds you can also sprinkle slivered almonds on top of the fudge before it hardens. Alternatively you can gently press whole almonds into the top of the fudge.

You can also sprinkle the top with toasted coconut flakes for a Mounds bar type flavor. Or use crushed peppermint to add more holiday flavor.

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Other flavors of easy fudge

I made this fudge with semi sweet chocolate fudge and almonds. But this recipe is very easy to adapt by using your favorite chocolate chips and different nuts.

Almost any kind of chocolate chips can be used instead of semi sweet. Dark chocolate and milk chocolate chips also make delicious fudge.

And you can substitute a different kind of nuts in place of the almonds. Walnuts are especially good with chocolate, and pistachios would be a fun Christmas twist.

If you make this same recipe with milk chocolate chips and walnuts it will taste like a completely different fudge, but it will still be delicious! The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Using a Microwave

You can use a microwave to melt the semi sweet chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk if you prefer. To do this heat the mixture for thirty seconds at a time, stirring vigorously after each 30 seconds.

Stop heating once the chocolate is almost melted and stir the mixture until it is completely melted. Then continue with the recipe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Freeze Fudge?

Fudge can be frozen if it is tightly wrapped and stored in an airtight container. It should last for 2-3 months in the freezer. To thaw it leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

Will Evaporated Milk Work in this Recipe?

Evaporated milk is not the same as sweetened condensed milk and will not work in this recipe! The two are both sold in cans and tend to be next to each other on grocery store shelves, but they are not interchangeable.

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Find More Edible Gift Ideas

  • Homemade Peanut Brittle
  • White Chocolate Popcorn
  • Grinch Hot Chocolate Bombs

Yield: 25

Chocolate Almond Fudge

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With this easy fudge recipe you can make delicious chocolate almond fudge in no time at all!

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time5 minutes

Cooling Time2 hours

Total Time2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 3/4 cup slivered almonds

Instructions

    1. Prepare a 9 x 9 inch or 8 x 8 inch square dish. Use a silicone dish or line the dish with plastic wrap or parchment paper.
    2. Heat the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the ingredients continuously until they melt.
    3. Once the chocolate has melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the extract. Then add the slivered almonds and mix well.
    4. Pour/scoop the fudge into the prepared dish.
    5. Place the fudge into the refrigerator to harden for 2-3 hours until set. Do not try to speed the process up by putting it in the freezer, it won't set if you freeze it.
    6. Remove the fudge from the dish and carefully cut into small bite sized squares.

Notes

Store remaining fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

25

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 123Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 2g

Nutrition facts are estimates.

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Easy Chocolate Almond Fudge - 4 ingredient recipe (19)
Easy Chocolate Almond Fudge - 4 ingredient recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

How do you make Paula Deen's 5 minute fudge? ›

directions
  1. Combine sugar, milk, butter and salt in a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  2. Add in chocolate chips; cook until melted.
  3. Remove from heat; stir in marshmallows, vanilla and nuts. Mix well.
  4. Pour into a 8-inch pan. Cool cut into squares.

Why won't my 2 ingredient fudge set? ›

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

While you ultimately want crystals to form, it's important that they don't form too early. The key to successful, nongrainy fudge is in the cooling, not the cooking. The recipe calls for heating the ingredients to the soft-ball stage, or 234° F, then allowing it to cool undisturbed to approximately 110° F.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

What is the softball method fudge? ›

Those who have dealt with sugar cookery and candy making in the past will recognize 235°F (113°C) as the bottom of the “softball” stage. This means that a drop of syrup at this temperature when dropped into a glass of cold water will form a ball that can be smashed between the fingers.

What makes fudge softer? ›

Undercooked. This fudge was cooked until the temperature reached only108 °C (226 °F). At this temperature, the sugar is not concentrated enough... there is too much leftover water in the syrup and the resulting fudge is soft.

What is the ball method fudge? ›

According to most recipes, the ingredients of fudge are cooked to what is termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

Can I fix fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

Can you fix fudge that didn't harden? ›

How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

Why is my fudge not setting condensed milk? ›

It sounds like your fudge simply wasn't heated enough. Fudge is basically a superconcentrated syrup, and it sets when sugar dissolved in the water (from the butter and milk) comes out of solution as the mixture cools and forms crystals.

How do you firm up homemade fudge? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

How do you make fudge firmer? ›

Technically, “fudge” is simply cooked sugar. Cook your sugar a few degrees higher and your product will likely be a bit firmer.

What can I do with ruined fudge? ›

Good use of failed fudge: fudge that is too hard, too soft, too runny, too sugary, too chewy, etc. Proportions are as follows: for every 2 cups (roughly 1 pound yield) of any failed fudge that is not runny, you'll need 1 egg, ½ cup all-purpose flour, and ½ cup milk. If fudge is soupy, halve the milk (to ¼ cup).

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

How can I firm up my fudge? ›

How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream.

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