This simple caramel topped chocolate fudge is made easy with one bowl, only 5-ingredients, and all in the microwave!
This video ?? shows how to make this caramel chocolate fudge AND this mint chocolate swirled fudge (<–click to get the link to the second recipe)
Who loves fudge?! Fudge was an absolute holiday essential for my house growing up. I’m pretty sure we made half a dozen batches a week in December.
The main reason is my mom is a MAJOR chocolate addict – I believe she could eat chocolate for every meal of the day if she could still stay healthy and do it. Instead she settles for lots of chocolate and lots of exercise. She always jokes that she can eat more chocolate around the holidays since she is running around like crazy with holiday busyness. I seem to have adapted that mentality as well. Man the holidays are busy!! Which means more chocolate fudge for me as I run around trying to get everything done 🙂
BUT this chocolate fudge does not have to be a huge time suck. In fact it’s so quick and easy to make. Just one bowl, 5-ingredients, and all in the microwave. BAM. You are welcome busy people trying to prepare for the holidays.
Okay ready for my microwave-fudge tips?! The most important thing to note when making fudge in the microwave is to be patient – it’s better to melt the chocolate slowly than to burn it right?! So although it may be a little overkill, I always microwave in bursts of 15-30 seconds with stirring in between for at least 30 seconds. A lot of melting is going on even outside of the microwave. So the first “burst” I do is 30 seconds and after that I burst microwave the fudge for 15 seconds while stirring in between for 30 seconds. I’ll stir for longer if it seems it’s mostly all melted.
Once the chocolate fudge layer is completely melted, gooey, and delicious, pour it into the prepare 8 x 8 pan and smooth it with a spatula. I like to spray the spatula with nonstick spray to get a nice even layer of fudge without it sticking to the spatula.
The caramels are the same way — microwave in bursts. 30 seconds for the first burst and 15 second bursts after that until it’s melted. This caramel is very gooey. If it weren’t so gooey it would be hard to bite into the fudge (imagine hard caramels on top of soft fudge…blah). But because it is so gooey you will need to keep this fudge in the fridge. It also makes these a little difficult to cut. Use a wet knife and put the fudge back in the fridge if it is getting too soft. ALSO, I know unwrapping caramels can be a pain, but you’ve got to use the wrapped caramels because the unwrapped ones are coated in a thin layer of wax (to keep them from sticking together) and they don’t work too well with this fudge.
Last, but not least, sea salt is dang good on these if you are a salted caramel fan <3.
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cups milk chocolate chips highest quality possible*
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk full-fat, NOT evaporated milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract optional
- 25 caramels unwrapped
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Sea salt optional
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Line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper - do not skip this or you likely won't be able to get your fudge out looking very nice.
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In a large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Add in the chocolate chips and stir.
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Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Stir together and microwave for 20 seconds then stir for 20 seconds.
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Continue microwaving in bursts of 15 seconds stirring for 30 seconds in between until completely melted.
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Pour into the prepared pan. Spray a spatula with nonstick cooking spray and smooth the chocolate fudge.
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Quickly rinse out and dry the bowl. Combine the unwrapped caramels and 1 tablespoon heavy cream in the bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir for 30 seconds. Return the mixture to the microwave and microwave in bursts of 15 seconds stirring for 30 seconds in between until completely melted. If needed, add additional tablespoon of heavy cream (with harder caramels you will likely need both tablespoons, softer (newer) caramels you'll likely only need 1 tablespoon)
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Pour the caramel over the chocolate evenly.
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If desired top the fudge pieces with sea salt.
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Cover tightly and place in the fridge to harden/set up overnight.
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Cut the fudge with a hot and very sharp knife (run it under hot water, dry, and then make quick cuts).
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Store any leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge. Best enjoyed within 2-3 days.
*Milk chocolate is my favorite but makes for a very rich fudge. Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate for a more bitter tasting fudge. **Cook time refers to chilling time
If you want a chocolate caramel swirl fudge, prepare the two layers at the same time (so they are both melted at the same time) lay down the chocolate and then immediately (because it hardens quickly) pour the caramel over in vertical lines. Using a butter-knife swirl the layers together.
Here are some more delicious Christmas treats:
“lots of chocolate and lots of exercise” <– that's LITERALLY me. No joke. I eat dark chocolate after every meal, including breakfast. It's so bad… But it tastes so good! And I LOVE how you can do this in the microwave. Seriously dangerous girl! 😉 Pinned!
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!
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 😉
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!
My mouth is watering!! Fudge in the microwave? I just died. So perfect for the holidays! Pinned!
And totally meant to click 5 stars but it wouldn’t let me and accidentally went to 4 🙁 Oops!
This fudge looks incredibly delicious Chelsea!! I love that in can be made in the microwave (HOW awesome is that??)
Microwave fudge and carmel is the best! Your mom has it all figured out though….be able to eat all the sweets by just staying active. At least that’s what I’m telling myself 😉
I love caramel and fudge! I can’t wait to try this!
Fudge is synonymous with Christmas time too 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! I also wanted to say thanks for bringing my attention to your e-book, I’m reading about December at the moment!
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!
I actually love making fudge in the microwave, it is so easy! This chocolate one looks delicious! Love the caramel and salt on top!
Chelsea, this fudge looks absolutely amazing! Is it OK to have fudge for breakfast? 🙂
Oh my gosh – these look just amazing, and SO incredibly easy – thanks for a great recipe!
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 🙂
This fudge looks delicious, Chelsea!! I love you made them in the microwave. Great recipe for these busy days before Christmas.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
I’M DROOLING!!!!!! the end. 🙂
Holy goodness, Chelsea! This fudge looks so sinful! And you are seriously the queen of simple recipes! How do you do it?!
What delicious looking fudge! Gotta love salted caramel anything, and these are definitely no exception! Pinned!
What a wonderful fudge. Just a simple topping puts it in special category.
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.
This is my dream fudge! Pinned
What a great fudge recipe! I like the drippy, yummy caramel on top!
this would be absolutely perfect for Christmas! I’m thinking sea salt andddd green & red sugar glitter on top 🙂
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!
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!
that oooooey goooooey caramel!!!! This fudge is so crazy easy and it looks so decadent and unbelievably delicious!
Ohhhh yummmyyyy! But I just had to add chopped pecans!!!
WOW just what I was searching for. Came hee by searching for christmas favorites
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.
Hmm sorry it must be the device you are viewing it on! I can see the ingredients on my phone and desktop computer. Sorry!
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!
YAY!! SO happy to hear this! Glad you loved it 🙂 And talking on the phone while baking is the best!
I absolutely loved your receipe. Made it for my girlfriend when we were overseas and it was such a delight! Kudos to you chelsea.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂