Easy Marshmallow Fudge

This recipe makes a huge batch, perfect for sharing or gifting.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated September 30, 2024
Elise Bauer
A pile of sliced fudge on a plate
Alison Bickel

Most of us have memories of special food we enjoyed at Christmas when we were little. The clearest memory for me is of my dad making fudge for all of us (six kids). The last time I recall him making his fudge was when we all still lived at home 25 some odd years ago.

The Fantasy Fudge Recipe You're Cooking For

Turns out the recipe comes from the back of a seven-ounce jar of Kraft's marshmallow creme. It is known as "fantasy fudge" and is just as good as I remember it.

The recipe makes about three pounds of fudge, so I can see why he hasn't made it in a while; that's a lot of fudge!

If I make this again I think I will double the amount of walnuts, and substitute almond extract for the vanilla just to see how it goes. Regarding the marshmallow cream, I think you could easily substitute seven ounces of plain marshmallows.

A plate of fudge
Alison Bickel

Swaps & Substitutions

Over the years, so many of you have made this recipe and shared your variations with us. Here are some of our favorites!

  • Swap the marshmallow cream for 7 ounces of plain marshmallows.
  • Double the amount of walnuts...
  • ...or leave the walnuts out!
  • Swap in pecans or another nut of your choice.
  • Swap half brown sugar and use pecans (tastes like butter pecan fudge!)
  • Swap the vanilla extract for almond, reducing it to 1/4 teaspoon.
  • Use peanut butter chips or white chips instead of chocolate chips.
  • Add crushed pretzel sticks, crumbled shortbread, or crumbled biscotti.

Troubleshooting Fudge

  • If your fudge looks grainy, greasy, or separated in the pot, you can fix it by dribbling in heavy cream or evaporated milk and stirring over low heat until the fudge is smooth and unified.
  • Don't use bittersweet chocolate in this recipe, because it has too many dry cacao solids for the fudge to properly form (if you do use it, you may need to employ the trick just above).
  • The texture and flavor of fudge vastly improves as it sets and cools. Don't skip the 4-hour setting time. Overnight is even better!

Store & Freeze Marshmallow Fudge

Storing: The fudge will keep at room temperature for about a week, or for 2 to 3 weeks refrigerated.

To freeze: Wrap the fully set fudge in plastic wrap and then transfer it to a freezer storage bag. Freeze for up to a month and thaw in the fridge.

More Homemade Candy Recipes

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Easy Marshmallow Fudge

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Cooling 4 hrs
Total Time 4 hrs 20 mins
Servings 48 servings
Yield 3 pounds

Adapted from Kraft's Creamy Fudge.

Way back when this recipe first came out, it was common to find chocolate chips on 16-ounce bags. Now, they are sometimes in 12-ounce bags, or smaller, and this recipe may not turn out right with that amount of chocolate. Check your package twice at the store so you know how many bags of chips to buy.

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter

  • 2/3 cup (one 5-ounce can) evaporated milk

  • 16 ounces semisweet chocolate chips or finely chopped semisweet chocolate (do not substitute bittersweet)

  • 1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow creme

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Special Equipment

  • Candy thermometer

Method

  1. Prep the baking pan and assemble the ingredients:

    Prepare everything in advance and have ready to go — chopped chocolate, chopped nuts, the marshmallow cream already out of the jar and in a bowl that you can easily scrape out with a rubber spatula.

    Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with foil, butter the inside.

  2. Boil the sugar, butter, and milk:

    In a 3-quart, thick-bottomed saucepan, bring sugar, butter, and milk to a rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly once the mixture begins to bubble.

    Once the mixture reaches a boil, set your timer to 4 minutes. Keep stirring as it boils. You will want to remove the mixture from the heat once it reaches 234°F on a candy thermometer (adjust for altitude as needed), which should take at least 4 minutes, and possibly longer.

    How to make fudge by boiling it in a saucepan and using a candy thermometer.
    Alison Bickel
  3. Finish the fudge:

    Remove from heat. Quickly stir in chocolate and marshmallow creme.

    Once the chocolate and marshmallow creme have melted and are well mixed, stir in the vanilla and then the walnuts.

    Easy fudge in a saucepan.
    Alison Bickel
    Homemade fudge in a saucepan with a spatula.
    Alison Bickel
  4. Pour into the prepared pan:
    Fantasy fudge cooling in a pan with parchment.
    Alison Bickel
  5. Cool to room temperature before slicing:

    Cool the fudge for at least 4 hours, and preferably overnight. You may want to chill in the refrigerator to get it more firm.

    Did you love the recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
154 Calories
8g Fat
23g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 48
Amount per serving
Calories 154
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 16mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 58mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.