What Is Fudge?

And how exactly is it different than chocolate?

March 21, 2023
Six Different Flavors of Fudge on a Wooden Table

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Six Different Flavors of Fudge on a Wooden Table

Photo by: pamela_d_mcadams/Getty Images

pamela_d_mcadams/Getty Images

By Alice K. Thompson for Food Network Kitchen

Alice is a contributing writer and editor at Food Network.

Fudge is such a part of our culture it’s even become an adjective: we have fudgy brownies, fudgy cookies and even fudgy ice cream cakes. But what is it that sets this All-American treat apart, and how is it made? Read on for the details.

What Is Fudge?

Fudge is a dense, rich confection typically made with sugar, milk or cream, butter and chocolate or other flavorings. The base for fudge is boiled until it reaches the soft-ball stage (135 to 140 degrees F), then stirred or beaten as it cools to minimize the formation of sugar crystals. The result is creamy and smooth with a distinctive semi-soft texture and just a hint of sugar crystals. After cooling, fudge is usually cut into slabs or bite-size squares.

What Is Fudge Made Of?

The first known recipe for fudge dates from the 1880s and contained just sugar, cream, chocolate and butter, and many modern recipes contain little else. But candy-making can be tricky: small variations in ingredients and temperature sometimes cause the confection to be too soft, too hard or too crystalized. For this reason a number of ingredients are often included in fudge to make it more reliably thick and smooth, among them corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk and marshmallow creme.

Some modern recipes for fudge mimic the classic confection’s texture without the long cooking. These include uncooked fudges based on everything from cream cheese to coconut butter to peanut butter; quick-cooked fudges (such as fantasy fudge) based on marshmallow creme; and microwave fudges made with ingredients like sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. These fudges set up in the refrigerator and usually need to be kept refrigerated, so they’re sometimes called refrigerator fudge.

Is Fudge the Same as Chocolate?

Although fudge often contains chocolate, fudge is not the same as chocolate. Chocolate is a mix of cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sometimes sugar and other flavorings and is hard and brittle. Fudge is a mixture of sugar, dairy and flavorings that is cooked and cooled to form a smooth, semi-soft confection.

Pieces of Plain Chocolate Fudge in 1 Inch Cubes

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Pieces of Plain Chocolate Fudge in 1 Inch Cubes

Photo by: pamela_d_mcadams/Getty Images

pamela_d_mcadams/Getty Images

Is Fudge Always Chocolate Flavored?

Although chocolate is by far the most popular, fudge comes in any number of flavors. Maple, peanut butter and butterscotch are particularly popular, and a type of fudge known as penuche is made with brown sugar and flavored with vanilla. Nuts, raisins, candied fruits, chocolate chips and other candies are often mixed into fudge or sprinkled on top. Shops specializing in fudge offer dozens of flavors including seasonal ones like pumpkin and peppermint.

Fudge Recipes

Food Stylist: Brett Kurzweil

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Food Stylist: Brett Kurzweil

Photo by: James Wojcik

James Wojcik

This classic, versatile recipe lends itself to any number of toppings, so it’s perfect for making into a customized treat for holidays or events. The texture of the fudge is light and smooth thanks to beating in an electric mixer as it cools.

This is the receipe for Fantasy Fudge

This is the receipe for Fantasy Fudge

Photo by: Kate Mathis

Kate Mathis

This version is based on the iconic fudge recipe that first appeared on the back of a jar of marshmallow creme. Toasted walnuts give the creamy squares a nice amount of crunch. It’s quick and easy and always popular.

Food Stylist: Anne Disrude 
Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

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Food Stylist: Anne Disrude Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

Photo by: Andrew McCaul

Andrew McCaul

It takes just 10 minutes and four ingredients to make a batch of this fudge. Use your favorite nuts in the recipe: walnuts, pecans and cashews are classic, but you could also add roasted salted peanuts for a sweet-and-salty treat.

Photo by: Armando Rafael

Armando Rafael

Marshmallows and white chocolate chips make a creamy base for this quick fudge studded with crunchy bits of chocolate cookie. Use gingerbread cookies for a seasonal variation.

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Photo by: Levi Brown

Levi Brown

Here’s fudge’s pourable, quick-cooked cousin: Pour it over your favorite ice cream, eat and repeat. This recipe makes a generous 2 cups so you can stash it in the fridge and reheat it as needed.

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