Hot Chocolate Fudge
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Creamy and full of cocoa and chocolate flavor, this hot chocolate fudge brings two of your favorite desserts into a treat that melts in your mouth! Rich hot chocolate fudge makes a chocolate marshmallow fudge that is bursting with chewy marshmallows and delicious hot cocoa flavor.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Hot Chocolate Fudge
- Easy To Make – You only need a few simple ingredients to make this fudge, and a few minutes to prepare this delicious treat. Most of the work is waiting for the fudge to chill and set, and I usually have some hot chocolate packets in the pantry for cold days. It’s a simple recipe to make ahead of time or even the night before a party and doesn’t take a long time to prepare.
- Rich And Chocolaty – Rich and creamy, this fudge uses two types of chocolate plus hot cocoa powder to give it plenty of hot cocoa flavor.
- Perfect For Gifts– This fun hot chocolate fudge recipe is perfect for Christmas cookie trays, potlucks, parties or wrapped in a tin for gifts for the holiday season. I think seeing my family and friends’ faces light up when they open the tin is the best part! You can also pair it with other holiday treats like homemade peppermint patties, Oreo balls or Reindeer Chow
Make a mixture of different types of fudge for gifts or parties! Try the sugar cookie fudge, Oreo Fudge, peanut butter balls with rice krispies or Buckeyes for more easy recipes.
Ingredients For Hot Chocolate Fudge
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions below in the recipe card.
- sweetened condensed milk canned, this is not the same thing as evaporated milk which is not sweetened!
- butter – I prefer unsalted butter but this recipe is pretty forgiving if you use salted butter and will still taste delicious.
- dark chocolate chips
- milk chocolate chips – you can swap semisweet chocolate chips
- hot chocolate mix This is an already sweetened mix, an unsweetened cocoa powder will produce a fudge that is much less sweet.
- vanilla extract
- mini marshmallows – I prefer using regular mini marshmallows as they give a chewiness to the fudge that I really like. You can use dehydrated marshmallows though, which come in either a really small size or also in shapes like the marshmallows you find in Lucky Charms cereal.
How To Make Hot Chocolate Fudge
- Line a 8×8 square pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. If using aluminum foil, coat the foil in butter so the fudge releases from the foil. You can use a cooking spray to spray the foil, but you will need to be generous with the oil so the hot cocoa fudge doesn’t stick.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk in a medium pot. Turn the stove to medium heat and gently heat the sweetened condensed milk until just warm, not boiling. Turn the heat to medium-low. Place the hot chocolate mix in the pan and mix with a whisk until fully dissolved. Add the butter to the pan and let it melt, stirring well. Turn the heat on the stove off.
- Place the milk chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl. Heat the bowl in the microwave on half power, stirring about every thirty seconds. Continue heating the microwave-safe bowl in thirty-second intervals and stirring at half power until a smooth chocolate sauce forms, about 2-3 minutes. You could also use a double boiler to melt the chocolate.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture into the chocolate sauce and mix well until combined. Stir quickly, the mixture will thicken as you mix.
- Add the vanilla and stir, then add two cups of mini marshmallows and stir until mixed well, working quickly before the fudge begins to set. Immediately pour the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the top of the fudge with additional mini marshmallows right away. Gently press the marshmallows down into the fudge so they stick into the fudge. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to fully set, or overnight.
- Remove the fudge from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cutting, letting it sit on the counter. Cut the fudge with a sharp knife and enjoy!
Variation Ideas
Peppermint– Sprinkle the top of this fudge with broken candy canes or broken peppermint candies for a candy cane hot chocolate fudge which is just as creamy as a cup of candy cane hot cocoa.
Sprinkles– Add sprinkles for a fun color pop!
Use Regular Mini Marshmallows– I’ve used dehydrated mini marshmallows because I think they are SO cute, but regular mini marshmallows or any fun mini marshmallow you want to use can be sprinkles on top of this fudge.
White Chocolate Chips- You could swap white chocolate chips for the marshmallows on top of the fudge, or swap on of the other types of chocolate chips with white chocolate chips.
Can I Use Unsweetened Cocoa Powder?
I have not used unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe by itself. Since the hot chocolate powder has sweetener in it, you would likely need to mix in sugar with the dry unsweetened cocoa powder along with a few other ingredients. You could make your own homemade hot chocolate mix and use that in this recipe.
Can I Use Aluminum Foil Instead of Parchment Paper For Fudge?
You can use a cooking spray to spray the foil, but you will need to be generous with the oil so the hot cocoa fudge doesn’t stick to the foil.
Generously buttering aluminum foil is another option so the fudge doesn’t stick to the foil.
Wax paper can also be used in place of parchment paper. Wax paper is naturally nonstick, and can be used for this treat because we are not cooking or baking the fudge after adding it to the paper.
I find using parchment paper is easiest when making fudge as it is naturally non-stick. Using parchment for any kind of treats or baking tends to be my go-to, and you can read more about why to use parchment paper here.
How Long Does Hot Chocolate Fudge Last?
Hot chocolate fudge will last about a week if stored in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature. If the fudge is placed in an airtight container in the refrigerator it can last 3-4 weeks but will taste its best if eaten within a week.
Hot chocolate fans need to try rich and creamy whipped hot chocolate or make this fun Oreo hot chocolate by the glass. They are such a great holiday treat that the kids love. Or serve hot chocolate to a crowd and make slow cooker hot chocolate.
Can You Freeze Fudge?
Yes, you can freeze fudge. Most fudge defrosts beautifully and will taste best for about 2-3 months in the freezer. I recommend freezing in an airtight container or freezer zip-top bag in a single layer.
Wrapping the fudge slices in freezer paper or wax paper before putting it in your container can also help protect the fudge from freezer burn or drying out. Here are some great tips for freezing and defrosting fudge.
More Sweet Recipes You’ll Love
Cookies And Cream Fudge (Oreo Fudge!)
Peppermint Fudge (With White Chocolate)
Buckeyes Recipe (How To Dip Buckeyes In Chocolate)
Holiday Vanilla Fudge (With Condensed Milk)
Sugar Cookie Fudge
Hot Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk canned, this is not the same thing as evaporated milk which is not sweetened!
- 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix you can also use three 1.38 ounce pouches
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cup milk chocolate chips you can swap semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3-4 cups mini marshmallows divided
Instructions
- Line a square 8×8 pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. If using aluminum foil, coat the foil in butter so the fudge releases from the foil.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk in a medium pot. Turn the stove to medium heat and gently heat the sweetened condensed milk until just warm, not boiling. Turn the heat to medium low. Place the hot chocolate mix in the pan and mix with a whisk until fully dissolved. Add the butter to the pan and let it melt, stirring well. Turn the heat on the stove off.
- Place the milk chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl. Heat the bowl in the microwave on half power, stirring about every thirty seconds. Continue heating in thirty-second intervals and stirring at half power until a smooth chocolate sauce forms, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture into the chocolate sauce and mix well until combined. Stir quickly, the mixture will thicken as you mix.
- Add the vanilla and stir, then add two cups of mini marshmallows and stir until mixed well, working quickly before the fudge begins to set. Immediately pour the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the top of the fudge with additional mini marshmallows right away. Gently press the marshmallows down into the fudge so they stick into the fudge. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to fully set, or overnight.
- Remove the fudge from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cutting, letting it sit on the counter. Cut the fudge with a sharp knife and enjoy!
Notes
Can I Use Aluminum Foil Instead of Parchment Paper?
You can use a cooking spray to spray the foil, but you will need to be generous with the oil so the hot cocoa fudge doesn’t stick. I find using parchment paper is easiest as it is naturally non-stick. Generously buttering aluminum foil is another option.What Pan Do I Need?
This recipe is tested for an 8×8 square pan. You can use a square 9×9 pan, or even a shaped pan (like a heart) that is about the same size. The thickness of the fudge may change if you use a slightly different shaped pan from 8×8 but it will be delicious.Nutrition
Did You Make This?
I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
