Original Fantasy Fudge Recipe (10-Minute Fudge)

This Original Fantasy Fudge Recipe is the perfect 10-minute fudge, great for holidays, gifts, or just when you need something quick, rich, creamy and chocolatey!

Why You’ll Love This Fantasy Fudge Recipe

Every year I make this special original recipe Fantasy Fudge for the holidays. This recipe is most popularly found on the back of the Kraft marshmallow creme jar. It’s fast, it’s easy and it’s my oldest son’s absolute favourite. Plus, you don’t even need to break out the candy thermometer.

It only takes 10 minutes to get this sweet treat ready, then just let it cool. Once it’s set, you can slice it up; small pieces work better. This is a sweet sweet fudge.

My son always gets a batch of this chocolate and marshmallow fudge wrapped up as a Christmas present! Give it a try, I hope you will enjoy it.

Looking at the list of ingredients almost gives me a heart attack. This is so far removed from the way we usually eat. Good thing this recipe only comes out at Christmas. This 10-minute fudge is oh so delicious. But not healthy. Not at all.

Ingredients Needed

• sugar
• butter (or margarine)
  
• evaporated milk – one of the reasons your fudge will get nice and set up.
• chocolate chips – you can use whatever kind you like depending on your taste! I used semi-sweet chocolate chips for this fantasy fudge recipe. Tollhouse is what’s recommended for the true original fantasy fudge.
• miniature marshmallows or marshmallow creme – gives your fudge a light creaminess and adds some sweetness too. The miniature marshmallows are one of the things that makes this original fantasy fudge recipe so unique and tasty! Kraft and Jet make a great marshmallow puff, but any brand will do.
• chopped walnuts – provide some added crunch and flavor.
• vanilla extract – the type of extract can also be varied to your taste!

 

 How to Make 10-Minute Fudge

1. In a large saucepan, add the sugar, butter and pour in evaporated milk. Turn your element onto medium heat.
2. Stir the sugar, butter and milk and mix them together.

   

3. Bring the mixture to a boil. When it starts heating up, make sure you stir it the entire time it is cooking. You don’t want it to start sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.

   

4. Once the mixture is at a full rolling boil, set the timer for 5 minutes. Keep stirring constantly; the mixture will begin to thicken. You may need to turn the heat down a smidgeon; you don’t want the mixture burning on the bottom. That’s why you need to stir the whole post constantly while cooking. And the more it boils, the more you need to be constantly stirring.
5. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate chips. I use the semi sweet chips because we like our fudge chocolatey. If you like the taste of mint, you could use half chocolate and half mint chips.

   

   Adding Marshmallow Fluff

6. Add the jar of puffed marshmallow creme, stir it again until the mixture is nice and smooth. Get all the marshmallow melted and mixed in.

   

7. Add the chopped nuts and the vanilla and stir until smooth. I only had whole walnuts on hand so I put a handful of nuts in a baggie and crushed them with my rolling pin. Worked like a charm!

   

8. Spoon the mixture into a greased 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish (or a square pan) and pat the layer smooth using a spatula or wooden spoon. You can use cooking spray or line it with wax paper, parchment paper, or some aluminum foil if you like. Let it cool to at least room temperature before slicing into squares. The fudge is very rich, so you may want to cut small squares!
9. Store it in the prepared pan covered, or in storage containers.

 

FAQs

What is a full rolling boil?

This is the kind of boil where the liquid is bubbling and churning fairly vigorously, and typically comes about from using a higher amount of heat. Cooking pasta is one of the most common reasons you’d bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, but this fudge also requires that kind of heat to ensure the ingredients combine properly.

Can I turn this into Peanut Butter Fantasy Fudge?

Absolutely! Simply use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips. You can still use the marshmallow cream to give your fudge that fluffy and super-sweet finish, and the peanut butter will bring a nice balance of that classic salty peanut flavor.

 

What makes Fantasy Fudge grainy?

Some of the most common reasons for grainy fudge are overcooking, overbeating, or not allowing it to cool all the way. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and only combine the ingredients as much as they need to be.

Take care when cooking. You may have to experiment with timing and stovetop settings depending on your stove.

Does Fantasy Fudge have to be refrigerated?

No, your fudge can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, as long as it’s covered well or in an airtight container. However, storing it in the fridge can increase its shelf life up to a month, and you can even keep it in the freezer for 4 months or more.

 

Fantasy Fudge Recipe: Popular Variations and Substitutions

• Since this fantasy fudge recipe is so quick and simple, it’s easy to change up the ingredients and customize the fudge to your liking!
• I like to use a 9 x 13 inch pan, but you an easily use a 9-inch pan and have thicker fudge.
• Try switching up the kinds of chocolate chips you use. Milk chocolate will give you a supersweet fudge, semisweet chocolate chips make for an extremely chocolatey option, and something like mint chocolate chips will completely change the flavor of your fudge. A more bittersweet chocolate can also be used for a super decadent and rich finish.
• Different extracts can also be used instead of vanilla. Almond extract, hazelnut extract, or even something fruity like a citrus extract will give you entirely different varieties.
• Change up the kind of nuts you use or add a couple kinds! Almonds, peanuts, pecans and hazelnuts would all be fantastic in this fudge.

 

More Sweet Recipes

Our entire Country Living in a Cariboo Valley Recipe Collection can be found here, and here are some more recipes hand-picked for you!

• Other great treats at Christmas time along with this fudge are Gingerbread Boys and Dutch Boterkoek. This is the only time of the year we enjoy treats like this and that’s a good thing. 
• For a recipe better for warm weather, try these delicious Chewy Coconut Cookies.
• And Easy Apple Crisp is perfect for the fall!

 

Original Fantasy Fudge Recipe

If you enjoy this recipe for easy 10-minute fudge, please be sure to rate it 5 stars below! And print this off or save it to your recipes folder!

First Published December 2017; latest update January, 2023

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originally published Nov 2017; latest update Nov 2024