Microwave Fudge

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This simple caramel topped chocolate fudge is made easy with one bowl, only 5-ingredients, and all in the microwave! Recipe via chelseasmessyapron.com

Make this Microwave Fudge easily with just five ingredients, all in the microwave—no oven or stovetop needed!

Microwave Fudge pieces stacked on top of each other ready to be eaten.

Why We Love This Microwave Fudge

  1. Easy to Make: Just needs five ingredients and a microwave.
  2. You Choose the Flavor: Change it up with your favorite add-ins.
  3. Great for Holidays: Perfect for holiday gifting and parties.
  4. Tastes Better: Encourages using premium chocolate for better taste.
  5. Easy Tips: Simple steps to get it right every time.

Chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and butter being added to a bowl and melted. Then the melted chocolate being added to a prepared 8x8-inch pan.

Ingredients

  • Butter makes the fudge creamy and helps chocolate melt smoothly.
  • Milk Chocolate Chips are the main flavor; high-quality chips improve taste.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk softens and sweetens the fudge; use full-fat for best texture.
  • Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt (optional) enhance flavor—vanilla adds depth, salt balances sweetness.
  • Caramels and Heavy Cream create a gooey caramel layer; cream ensures smooth melting.

Caramel being melted and poured over the chocolate layer.

How To Make Microwave Fudge

  1. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment.
  2. In a bowl, microwave butter, chocolate chips, and condensed milk until smooth. Add vanilla and salt.
  3. Spread in the pan; chill.
  4. Microwave caramels and cream; spread over fudge.
  5. Optional: Add sea salt, refrigerate overnight.
  6. Cut and serve.

Microwave Fudge with caramel spread evenly on top.

Tips For Success

  • Pick Your Chocolate: Use high quality milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate based on your preference.
  • Use Glass Bowls: Microwave ingredients in a glass bowl, not plastic.
  • Microwave Carefully: Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring for 20-25 seconds in between to prevent burning.
  • Line the Pan: Use parchment paper or foil for easy removal.
  • Smooth Evenly: Spray a spatula with nonstick spray to evenly spread the fudge.
  • Cut Cleanly: Use a hot, sharp knife for neat slices.

Microwave Fudge cut into cubes and stacked on a plate.

Microwave Fudge Flavor Variations

  • Chocolate Mix: Use semi-sweet, dark, or a mix of chocolate chips.
  • White Chocolate: Swap milk chocolate chips for white chocolate.
  • Peppermint: Use 1 tsp peppermint extract instead of vanilla.
  • Oreo: Add 2 cups chopped Oreos to the fudge mix.
  • Nutty: Mix in 2/3 cup toasted, chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.
  • Rocky Road: Include 3 cups mini marshmallows and 1 cup salted peanuts.

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Microwave Fudge

5 from 14 votes
Make this Microwave Fudge easily with just five ingredients, all in the microwave—no oven or stovetop needed!
Microwave Fudge cut into cubes and stacked on a plate.
Print Recipe

Microwave Fudge

Microwave Fudge cut into cubes and stacked on a plate.
5 from 14 votes
Make this Microwave Fudge easily with just five ingredients, all in the microwave—no oven or stovetop needed!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword microwave fudge
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 36 pieces
Chelsea Lords
Calories 40kcal
Cost $6.29

Equipment

  • 8x8 inch pan
  • Parchment paper or foil
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cups milk chocolate chips (Note 1)
  • 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (full-fat)
  • Optional: 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 5.7 oz Werther's soft caramels unwrapped (1 bag)
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • Optional: Maldon sea salt flakes, for topping

Instructions

  • PREP: Line 8x8-inch pan with parchment/foil, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Cut butter into tablespoons.
  • MICROWAVE: Microwave butter, chocolate chips, and condensed milk in a large microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 20 seconds until smooth. After each microwave burst, stir for 30 seconds to ensure even melting. Be patient and stir often to avoid burning. Once melted, add vanilla and salt, stirring until smooth.
  • SPREAD IN PAN: Pour fudge into the prepared pan. Spray a spatula with nonstick cooking spray and use it to smooth fudge into an even layer that is touching all sides of the pan and has a smooth top. Place in the fridge.
  • CARAMELS: For the caramels, in a separate bowl, mix unwrapped caramels and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. Microwave for 10 seconds, stir for 20 seconds. Repeat microwaving in 10-second bursts, stirring for 20 seconds each time until completely melted. If necessary, add another tablespoon of cream. Melt the caramel slowly, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Rushing can cause the caramel to become hard and brittle in the microwave.
  • SPREAD CARAMEL OVER: Spread caramel evenly over the chocolate. Use a nonstick-sprayed spoon to gently smooth and spread the caramel. If desired, top with sea salt.
  • CHILL: Cover tightly and refrigerate to harden/set up overnight, or at least 8 hours.
  • SERVE: Remove fudge using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into small pieces using a hot, sharp knife (run knife under hot water and dry it).
  • STORAGE: Store Microwave Fudge in the fridge in an airtight container; best enjoyed cold within 2-3 days, remains fresh up to 2 weeks. Avoid leaving out to prevent drying.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Milk chocolate yields rich fudge, while semi-sweet or dark chocolate offers a less sweet taste. Opt for high-quality brands like Ghirardelli® or Guittard® for tastier fudge.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 15mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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Recipe Rating




40 Comments

  1. I’m such a sucker for fudge, Chelsea! It’s one of those decadent treats that I just can’t get enough of. I’m loving your microwave caramel chocolate version. This looks incredible and super easy! Pinned!

  2. Danger! These look soooo delicious and way too easy to make 🙂 I am certain I will love them way too much, if you know what I mean 😉

  3. You know, I have never made fudge OR tried anything salted caramel (I know, SO late to the party on that one) But since this one is so easy, I think I’ll just make it for breakfast 😉 Pinned!

  4. This fudge looks incredibly delicious Chelsea!! I love that in can be made in the microwave (HOW awesome is that??)

  5. I love fudge this time of the year! I rarely make it any other time but during the holidays? You betcha! This looks delicious! Especially with that salt on top!

  6. 5 stars
    Fudge is synonymous with Christmas time in my household and there is always a batch readily available. I definitely have to try out your microwave version.. as I never have made fudge in one before!

  7. I am such a sucker for fudge too especially around this time of year. I love making them for our neighbors and friends. This caramel chocolate one looks amazing!!! Love how easy it is and the salt on top is the perfect touch 🙂

  8. This fudge looks delicious, Chelsea!! I love you made them in the microwave. Great recipe for these busy days before Christmas.

  9. 5 stars
    Holy goodness, Chelsea! This fudge looks so sinful! And you are seriously the queen of simple recipes! How do you do it?!

  10. What delicious looking fudge! Gotta love salted caramel anything, and these are definitely no exception! Pinned!

  11. Chelsea, this looks delicious and so quick to whip up! We have a place here called Fudge factory or something and they make this peppermint fudge which is pink and white and reminded me of your cheesecake. Random.

  12. this would be absolutely perfect for Christmas! I’m thinking sea salt andddd green & red sugar glitter on top 🙂

  13. 5 stars
    This looks awesome. Just made it and it looks exactly like photo, but the chocolate is still soft – too soft to cut. Does it take awhile to harden? Should I put it in the fridge to set up? Help!

    1. Yes it takes quite a while to set up 🙂 place it in the fridge until it is set up and then return any leftovers to the fridge as its best chilled! Hope you love it!

  14. Was it just me or did none of the ingredients show up on the web page? All i saw was 5 dots where the ingredients were supposedly listed.

    1. Hmm sorry it must be the device you are viewing it on! I can see the ingredients on my phone and desktop computer. Sorry!

  15. Just made this fudge. It is super easy (chatted on the phone with my friend the entire time) and it turned out so yummy! Third recipe I tried for fudge this Christmas and the one that worked the best!

    1. YAY!! SO happy to hear this! Glad you loved it 🙂 And talking on the phone while baking is the best!

  16. Wow, incredible weblog format! How long have you ever been blogging for?
    you made running a blog glance easy. The full glance of
    your site is excellent, let alone the content material!

  17. 5 stars
    Looking for something different to try and came across your lemon Oreo fudge and OMG, so super yummy! Thanks for the suggestion. I’m glad Christmas is only once a year because these could be addictive!

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