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Aunt Barbara’s Old-Fashioned Fudge recipe is so easy to make in under 20 minutes! Made from scratch with rich chocolate and marshmallows, you’ll love this easy chocolate Christmas fudge recipe. 

a hand reaching for a dish of old-fashioned chocolate fudge.
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I believe almost each of us has one recipe that identifies us. For my mom, it was Nordy bars and this almond roca recipe for my Nana.

For my friend Anne, it is her Aunt Barbara’s old-fashioned fudge.

If you want a fun take on this recipe, check out our chocolate peanut butter fudge.

butter, chocolate chips, marshmallows, evaporated milk, sugar, and vanilla extract on white boards.

This recipe uses marshmallows, but if you need a recipe that uses marshmallow creme, check out our fantasy fudge recipe.

How to Prevent Grainy Fudge

Heating the ingredients too quickly over high heat will produce a grainy fudge that is dry and will be crumbly. To prevent this from happening, heat consistently over medium heat and pay attention to the instructions when they direct you to stir the ingredients (and for how long).

Allow the sugar to fully dissolve before it comes to a rolling boil to prevent grainy, gritty, and crunchy fudge.

Using lower-quality chocolate which contains a lot of filler can produce a grainy fudge.

I had used Costco’s organic sugar for years to make this fudge. But in the fall of 2022, they changed the formula or something and the sugar will no longer dissolve completely in this recipe.

After four ruined batches, I can no longer recommend Costco’s organic sugar for this recipe.

How Long Does It Take For Christmas Fudge To Set?

This easy fudge recipe will be completely set within 45 minutes under normal kitchen conditions. Warmer kitchens or climates may impact the cooling time. That being said, many people I know prefer eating the fudge warm before it has fully cooled. To each their own!

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • Use a lightweight but large(ish) saucepan. The first time I made this I used an enameled cast iron Dutch oven and it was bonkers awkward and heavy to pour the fudge one-handed. I now use this saucepan.
  • I have tried using vegan marshmallows and while it turned out ok, the texture was not as creamy as traditional marshmallows.
  • Top it with dehydrated marshmallows for a fun and crispy surprise topping.
  • Need to use up some of the leftover evaporated milk? Try slow cooker hot chocolate. Or, just do like we do…and make another batch of fudge. 🙂
squares of fudge stacked on a white board with a canning jar of milk.
4.98 from 34 ratings

Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

Servings: 30
Cook: 10 minutes
Cooling time: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
a hand reaching for a dish of chocolate fudge
This old-fashioned fudge recipe is so easy to make in under 20 minutes! Made from scratch with rich chocolate and marshmallows, you’ll love this easy chocolate Christmas fudge recipe. 

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Butter a 9×13 glass baking dish. Set aside.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
    3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • Add evaporated milk and sugar and stir frequently, allowing the sugar to fully dissolve (~5 minutes).
    6 oz evaporated milk, 3 cups sugar
  • Once the sugar has fully dissolved, increase the temperature to medium and allow the fudge to reach a rolling boil. Stir constantly for 4 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and marshmallows (or marshmallow cream/fluff). Stir until completely combined and smooth (~2 minutes).
    1 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 10 oz mini marshmallows
  • Add vanilla extract. Stir until completely smooth (~1 minute).
    1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pour into the buttered dish and smooth to distribute evenly around the pan.
  • Allow it to set (~45 minutes) before cutting. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature

Notes

Updated for fall 2022: I have used Costco’s organic sugar for years to make this fudge. But in fall of 2022, they changed the formula or something and the sugar will no longer dissolve completely in this recipe.
Therefore, I can no longer recommend using Costco’s organic sugar for this recipe.
Store fudge covered at room temperature for up to three weeks. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2piecesCalories: 204kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 47mgPotassium: 75mgFiber: 0gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah Cook

I'm here to help you make easy, seasonal, and no-fuss recipes for yourself and your family.

Whether it's a quick one-pot dinner or if I am teaching you how to can and preserve local produce, you can consider me your elder millennial grandma

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4.98 from 34 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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