Creamy White Chocolate Fudge filled with pecans and swirled with caramel might be the ultimate treat for a holiday tray.
This is a quick and easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe that is perfect for any occasion.
White Chocolate Fudge
Why let milk chocolate and Dark Chocolate Fudge get all the attention around the holidays?
The rich flavors in this White Chocolate Fudge are perfectly balanced by a cup of coffee or tea. I love having this fudge in the house for a snack or a sweet bite after a meal.
This white chocolate caramel fudge has been a HUGE hit with all of you over the past few years.
And judging from the popularity of the Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge, the Cranberry Macadamia Nut Fudge, and the Buckeye Fudge, easy fudge recipes will never go out of style around here.
White Chocolate Caramel Fudge
In just a few minutes, you can stir this recipe together and have it chilling in the refrigerator. Within a couple of hours, it will be firm enough to slice and serve.
To make your fudge, melt white chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and butter in the microwave. I do this in increments of about 90 seconds, stirring after each time.
Your chocolate will continue to melt even after you remove the bowl from the microwave. Mine usually has a few chunks of unmelted chocolate left when I get to this next step.
Stir in vanilla and pecans, then spread the mixture into a tray lined with parchment paper.
Drizzle some caramel sauce on top then pop the whole thing in the fridge to set. After a couple of hours, slice into squares and serve!
If you don’t have a microwave or prefer not to use it, this recipe also works using the double-boiler method for melting chocolate.
PLEASE NOTE: This recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk, not heavy cream, not half and half, nothing else will work. Trust me on this.
The sweetened condensed milk contains sugar which is vital to the taste, texture, and consistency of this recipe.
Even if you’ve had success subbing with something else in other recipes, I promise that you NEED to use sweetened condensed milk for this fudge recipe!
Easy Homemade Fudge
I don’t think there is anything easier than simple homemade fudge for making homemade gifts that everyone loves to receive. I especially love that I can make plenty of treats to share while spending a minimal amount of time in the kitchen.
This method for making fudge with just 5-10 minutes of active time in the kitchen has changed my holiday baking for the better! Now, I know I don’t have to plan ahead to spend hours upon hours heating up the kitchen and making elaborate cookies and candies to have festive treats to share.
Freezer Fudge
As if I needed anything more to love about this recipe, here’s one more thing: this fudge stores wonderfully in the freezer!
You can make a batch of this caramel fudge, slice it, and put it right in the freezer. Then, next time you need a last-minute holiday gift or party dessert, grab your fudge and go.
My other favorite fudge recipes are also great to store in the freezer. Why not have a fudge-making party and whip up a batch of Rocky Road Fudge, Vanilla Walnut Fudge, and Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge to satisfy your sweet tooth all year long?
Yes, you can make this fudge on the stove. Keep the heat low and use a double boiler method. The microwave melting method makes this recipe ultra-quick and easy. However, if you don’t happen to be a fan of the microwave (or don’t have one), you can easily melt the chocolate, milk, and butter in a double boiler on the stovetop. It will just take a few minutes longer.
Yes, you can freeze fudge. Wrap it tightly in parchment (cut or uncut) and then slide it into a zip-close freezer bag. Press the air out of the bag and freeze flat.
Yes, nuts can be added to almost any fudge recipe. No other adjustments will need to be made.
No, you can not make this without regular sweetened condensed milk. Nothing else will work. The sweetened condensed milk contains sugar which is vital to the taste, texture, and consistency of this recipe.
Caramel Fudge Recipe
Kitchen Tip: I use this bowl, this spatula, and this tray to make this recipe.
- Combine the chocolate chips, the milk, and the butter in a medium-size glass bowl and heat in the microwave for 90 seconds.
- Stir to combine and heat another 15 seconds. Stir and heat an additional 15 seconds, only if needed. There will still be a few pieces of unmelted chocolate in the bowl.
- Stir until mostly smooth with just a few flecks of unmelted chocolate. Add the extract and pecans and stir to combine. Scoop onto a parchment-lined tray.
- Spread with a spatula to approximately 1-inch thickness. Drizzle with caramel sauce. Lightly swirl the caramel into the fudge with a knife or the end of the spatula.
- Chill until ready to serve. Slice into 1-inch squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Caramel Fudge
You can’t go wrong with sweet buttery caramel fudge, especially around the holidays. If you like this white chocolate caramel fudge recipe, you might also enjoy this Salted Caramel Fudge or this Nutella Caramel Fudge.
I usually make this recipe with my Homemade Caramel Sauce. I like to make a big batch of that sauce to just keep in the fridge for whenever I need it, including fudge making. However, store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly well in this recipe as well.
Not a fan of white chocolate? No problem! Substitute semi-sweet, milk or dark chocolate chips for a decadent chocolate caramel fudge. Whatever variety of chocolate chips you use, this recipe is sure to come out tasting delicious.
Everyone loves how pretty the squares of this fudge look on a plate or tray. No one will ever suspect how quick and easy it is to make your own white chocolate fudge!
For even more tasty and easy homemade candy recipes, check out my {5 Minute} Peppermint Bark, Peppermint Marshmallow Fudge and Homemade Almond Joys with Dark Chocolate.
{originally posted 12/14/15 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/20/20}