Easy Homemade Christmas Fudge Recipe

Updated on: December 11, 2025

Homemade Christmas fudge recipe bars with chocolate, nuts, and creamy layers on a wooden board.

Introduction

Embrace the holiday spirit with a timeless treat: Easy Christmas Fudge. This classic confection brings joy and festive cheer to any gathering. Get ready to create delightful, melt-in-your-mouth squares that are surprisingly simple to make. You’ll love sharing this delicious holiday tradition with friends and family.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Fudge Recipe

This delightful Easy Christmas Fudge will become your new holiday favorite for many reasons:

Perfect for Gifting: Package these homemade treats in decorative boxes for thoughtful holiday gifts.
Quick and Easy: With minimal fuss, you can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy schedules.
Crowd- pleasing Festive Treat: Everyone loves the rich, creamy texture and sweet flavor of this homemade fudge.
Versatile and Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with different mix-ins or toppings to suit any preference.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your luscious Easy Christmas Fudge:

3 cups granulated sugar
1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 (12-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional – pecans are a favorite!)

Notes & Substitutions

Achieving perfect Easy Christmas Fudge starts with understanding your ingredients.

Sugar: Granulated sugar is essential for the correct texture and sweetness. Do not substitute with brown sugar or powdered sugar.
Evaporated Milk: This milk provides the necessary richness and helps achieve the fudge’s creamy consistency. Regular milk will not work the same way.
Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the overall saltiness. You can use salted butter, but reduce any added salt in other recipes.
Marshmallow Creme: Marshmallow creme is key for a smooth, soft texture and prevents crystallization. Mini marshmallows can be used, but creme is easier.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chips offer a balanced flavor. Dark or milk chocolate chips work too, adjust sweetness to taste.
Chopped Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, or almonds add a lovely crunch. Skip them entirely if you prefer nut-free fudge.

Equipment

You only need a few basic tools for this Easy Christmas Fudge:

Medium-sized heavy-bottomed pot
8×8-inch baking dish
Candy thermometer (highly recommended for precision)
Whisk or sturdy spoon
Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

Creating this delightful Easy Christmas Fudge is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.

Prep: First, lightly butter an 8×8-inch baking dish. Alternatively, spray it generously with nonstick cooking spray. Set your prepared dish aside. This prevents sticking and makes cutting easier later.

Combine: In your medium-sized, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the granulated sugar, evaporated milk, and unsalted butter. Give it a quick stir to mix everything together.

Boil: Place the pot over medium-low heat. Cook the mixture, stirring frequently to ensure everything melts and combines evenly. Continue cooking until the mixture comes to a full boil.

Boil Time: Once it reaches a rolling boil, set a timer for 5 minutes. Maintain the boil for this duration. This crucial step develops the right consistency for your Easy Christmas Fudge.

Constant Stir: During the 5-minute boil, you must stir constantly. Seriously, do not stop stirring! This prevents the mixture from scorching and sticking to the bottom of the pot. You can adjust the heat down slightly if needed to maintain a boil without burning.

Temperature: The ultimate goal during this boiling phase is to reach the soft ball stage, which is 235°F (113°C) on a candy thermometer. As explained by The Spruce Eats, the soft-ball stage for candy making is a specific temperature range, typically between 235°F and 245°F, where sugar syrup forms a soft, flexible ball when dropped in cold water. A thermometer acts as an insurance policy for perfect fudge, but following the constant stirring and 5-minute boil instructions typically yields great results even without one.

Remove: Immediately remove the pot from the heat once the 5 minutes are up or the mixture reaches 235°F. Time is of the essence at this stage.

Stir In: Quickly add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the entire jar of marshmallow creme into the hot mixture. Do not delay this step.

Mix Smooth: Stir vigorously with your whisk or sturdy spoon. Continue stirring until all the chocolate chips are completely melted and the marshmallow creme is fully incorporated. The mixture should become wonderfully creamy and smooth. There should be no lumps.

Add Nuts: If you’re using chopped nuts, fold them into the creamy fudge mixture now. Reserve a small handful to sprinkle on top for decoration if desired.

Pour: Promptly transfer the hot, smooth fudge mixture into your prepared 8×8-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly using a spatula.

Cool: Allow the fudge to cool completely at room temperature. This can take several hours, or even overnight. Resist the urge to cut it early; proper cooling ensures the fudge sets correctly.

Cut: Once fully set and cool, slice the Easy Christmas Fudge into 1-inch squares or your desired festive shapes. Enjoy your homemade holiday treat!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving perfect Easy Christmas Fudge is simple with a few helpful pointers.

Constant Stirring: This is paramount to prevent the sugar from scorching at the bottom of the pot. Scorch tastes bitter and ruins the batch.
Soft Ball Stage: Reaching 235°F ensures the fudge sets properly – not too hard, not too soft. Without a thermometer, ensure a full, rolling boil for exactly 5 minutes.
Candy Thermometer: Investing in a candy thermometer removes guesswork, especially for beginners. Clip it to the side of the pot without touching the bottom.
Adjust Heat: If your mixture boils too aggressively, slightly lower the heat to prevent scorching while still maintaining a boil.
Grainy Fudge: Grainy fudge often means sugar crystallized too quickly. Make sure to stir constantly and do not scrape down the sides of the pot with crystals.
Too Soft Fudge: If your fudge is too soft, it likely didn’t reach the correct temperature. You can try to re-melt it carefully and bring it to temperature again.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This Easy Christmas Fudge is perfect for sharing during the holidays.

Serve: Arrange festive fudge squares on a platter for your holiday dessert table or as part of a cookie exchange.
Gift: Place cooled fudge pieces in small decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon for thoughtful gifts.
Store Airtight: Keep your fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Refrigerate: For a longer shelf life, store fudge in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Freeze: Freeze fudge for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature.

Festive Variations

Elevate your Easy Christmas Fudge with these delightful twists:

Peppermint Swirl Fudge: Stir in 1 teaspoon peppermint extract and swirl crushed candy canes on top before cooling.
White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge: Substitute semi-sweet chips for white chocolate and fold in dried cranberries.
Gingerbread Spiced Fudge: Add 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of cloves to the mixture.
Chocolate Orange Zest Fudge: Stir in 1 tablespoon of finely grated orange zest for a bright, citrusy flavor.

Nutrition

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for a serving of this Easy Christmas Fudge (based on 24 servings).

Nutrient	Amount (approx.)
Calories	250 kcal
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	7g
Cholesterol	20mg
Sodium	35mg
Total Carbs	35g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Total Sugars	30g
Protein	2g

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes. This is not a substitute for professional nutritional advice.

FAQ

Find quick answers to common questions about making Easy Christmas Fudge.

Why is my fudge grainy? Grainy fudge often happens when sugar crystals form too early. Ensure constant stirring while boiling and do not scrape down the pot’s sides.
Can I use different chocolate? Yes, you can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. Adjust the sweetness to your preference for this festive fudge.
How long does fudge last? Properly stored in an airtight container, homemade fudge lasts about a week at room temperature, or 2-3 weeks refrigerated.
Can I double the recipe? It’s generally better to make two separate batches if you need more fudge. Doubling can affect the cooking time and consistency.
Is a candy thermometer necessary? While helpful for precision, it is not strictly required. Following the instructions for a full 5-minute boil and constant stirring works well.

Conclusion

This Easy Christmas Fudge recipe offers a simple path to creating a beloved holiday treat. With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward steps, you can craft a creamy, delicious confection perfect for the season. Share this delightful homemade fudge with family and friends, making sweet memories that last beyond the holidays. Get ready to spread some festive joy!