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3-Minute No-Bake Fudge Recipe

3 Minute Fudge

Rich, creamy fudge in just three minutes with only three ingredients. This quick microwave fudge is perfect when you need a chocolate fix fast, and it’s easy enough to make year-round—ideal for last-minute gifts, potlucks, or a simple treat at home.

Four bite-sized pieces of chocolate fudge stacked on a wooden board with a slab of fudge in the background

This recipe uses sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk), semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a touch of vanilla extract. That’s it. The condensed milk provides creamy sweetness and the chocolate chips melt to a smooth, velvety texture. You can swap the vanilla for other extracts—mint, almond, or orange work beautifully—to create quick variations.

A can of sweetened condensed milk, a bag of chocolate chips, and a bottle of vanilla extract sit next to a glass bowl with a blue spatula.

Use a large, microwave-safe bowl for easy stirring. Combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in the bowl. Microwave on high for one minute, then let the mixture rest briefly before stirring. Continue heating in 30-second increments if needed, stirring between intervals, until the chips are fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the extract, then pour the mixture into a prepared pan.

A blue spatula stirs sweetened condensed milk and partially melted chocolate chips in a glass bowl.

Prepare your pan by buttering it lightly and lining it with parchment paper. This lets you lift the fudge out easily and slice it cleanly on a cutting board. Pour the fudge into the lined pan; you don’t need to spread it edge to edge unless you prefer uniform squares. Leaving a slightly rounded, shop-style edge makes for pleasant, small corner pieces that are perfect for taste-testing.

A blue spatula finishes stirring the ingredients for three minute fudge in a glass bowl

Let the fudge cool completely before cutting into pieces. To speed things up, place the pan in the refrigerator for about an hour. When set, use the parchment paper to lift the fudge from the pan and slice into 1-inch squares or whatever size you prefer. Store the pieces in an airtight container; they don’t need refrigeration, though chilling will firm them up more quickly.

Three minute fudge mixture is poured from the glass bowl into a parchment paper lined square glass baking pan.

This simple recipe is forgiving and adaptable. If your fudge turns out softer than you’d like, first confirm you used sweetened condensed milk (evaporated milk will not set properly). If you did and it’s still soft, chilling in the refrigerator will help, or add an extra 1/4 cup of chocolate chips next time for a firmer set. Some home cooks have found that stirring with a metal spoon can improve setting, though results can vary.

a round slab of three minute fudge cut into squares on a wooden board.

3 Minute Fudge – quick, decadent, and made with just three ingredients. It’s an easy go-to when you want chocolate without a long process.

Three minute fudge cut into squares on a wooden board. 2 squares are separated from the rest in the front of the image.

Recipe

Yield: 64 pieces

Ingredients

  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (about one 12-ounce bag)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or substitute another extract to taste)

Instructions

  1. Butter a square pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal. Set aside.
  2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat on high for 1 minute. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir. If needed, heat an additional 30 seconds and stir until completely smooth and the chips are melted.
  3. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top as desired.
  4. Allow the fudge to cool completely before cutting into 1-inch squares. To speed the process, chill in the refrigerator for about an hour.
  5. Store in an airtight container. Fudge can be kept at room temperature or refrigerated for a firmer texture.

Notes

This fudge is naturally soft and creamy. If it seems too soft after setting, ensure you used sweetened condensed milk—not evaporated milk. Refrigerating or adding a little more chocolate next time can help it firm up. Small adjustments like these let you tailor texture to your preference.

Nutrition (approximate per piece)

Calories: 28 • Total Fat: 2g • Saturated Fat: 1g • Carbohydrates: 4g • Sugar: 3g • Protein: 0g

3 Minute Fudge

Want to try more fudge flavors? Switch extracts, add chopped nuts, or swirl in caramel or peanut butter for quick variations. This base recipe is a dependable starting point for countless tasty twists.

3 Minute Fudge

© Joan Hayes