How to Make Perfect Fudge in the Slow Cooker



I started reading about Intermittent Fasting this week (and guess what? I ended up writing a book about it!) which naturally got me to find a way to make fudge.

I know. 

I don't understand me, either.

Don't wait until the Holiday season to make fudge again. 

This is SO easy a four-year-old could do it (unless her mom shoos her out of the kitchen so nobody knows how much fudge got eaten in the name of Quality Control).





The Ingredients
serves 10-20 (or Adam and Me on date night)


3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips 
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon salted butter
cooking spray to spray down the crock
parchment paper or non-stick foil to line a 9 x 9 baking pan

The Directions

Use a 4-quart slow cooker. If you only have a 6-quart, that's okay, but it will melt faster, so keep an eye on your chocolate.

Spray the crock well with cooking spray (my suggestion is to use a traditional slow cooker with a ceramic base and NOT a  Ninja.). 

Dump everything into the pot. Cover, and cook on high for about 1 hour, or on low for about 2 hours. 

Stir every 20 to 30 minutes. 

Once the chocolate has lost it's form and can be stirred into a liquid state, spread it out into a lined 9 x 9 baking pan.

Chill in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 4 hours) before cutting into bite-sized squares.

The Verdict

It's perfect. 

I wondered how the consistency would be without marshmallow fluff, but the condensed milk made the same sort of smooth texture with the chocolate as I wanted. 

Because the mixture doesn't need to get boiled to a candy-making boiling point, this is a great recipe for kids.

 If you'd like to, go ahead and add chopped nuts or candy canes for a peppermint version.

Long Live Fudge!!



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Posted by: Stephanie O'Dea | A Year of Slow Cooking at December 17, 2021

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What they say about this recipe

  1. Sounds like a must try!

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  2. Brilliant! Sounds like great date night fare to me, Steph! :-)

    xo,
    Shirley

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  3. I love the idea of this (even pinned it on Pinterest), but I do have a question. It seems that basically the slow cooker is just being used to melt the chocolate. Is something else going on? Does the slow cooker do a better job "curing" the chocolate? Is there some other advantage to using the slow cooker? What's the difference between doing it this way and melting everything inbs double boiler? Thanks..

    Ed

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  4. Hi Ed, nope, you're right. This site is for all things slow cooker, though. ;-)

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  5. Ohhh My!!! I am so trying this! Can unsalted butter used instead and maybe add a little salt? If so how much? YUM!!

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  6. Hi Christine, sure thing. I'd use a pretty scant amount (although I LOVE salt with dark chocolate...) I'd personally do about 1/8 tsp.

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  7. Looks delicious. This is my favorite fudge recipe, but haven't tried it in the slow cooker yet.

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  8. Omigosh! I read some of those articles about Intermittent Fasting too and your next comment cracked me up. Thanks for the laugh. (And for a new fudge recipe.)

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  9. I thought I remember a post from waaaaay back where you tried fudge in the slow cooker and it was a big flop?

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  10. I know that this is a slow cooker site, but I have been making this "cheater's fudge" for 25 years now. Started with throwing all in a pot on the stove, but now, it all goes in the micro. I also stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter for peanut butter fudge. It only takes minutes and the house doesn't smell like chocolate for days. Lovely stuff!

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  11. Small modification. Line the pan with whatever chocolate treat you like; Reese Peanut Butter Cups, M&Ms, Mars Bars, even marshmallow; then pour in the fudge. Add a bit more to the top of the fudge. Very yum.

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  12. Yummy can't wait to try this, I'm gonna try making it and pouring it on graham cracker crust and throwing some mini marshmallows in it♡♡♡ thank you for the yummy recipe

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  13. Question can I make this a head of time and freeze it or how long will it stay fresh??? ♡♡♡

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  14. Hi Julie,
    Yes, this fudge freezes and thaws well -- it will stay fresh for probably a good year -- nothing really to go bad, here.

    the thing with freezing chocolate, though, is that the sugar blooms, sometimes, causing the chocolate to turn white. This happens if any moisture gets in the package. My suggestion would be to freeze the chocolate in one big piece, and then use a vacuum seal bag or press and seal -- and then wrap it tightly.

    I hope this helps a bit!

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  15. What is the hardness like? I like my fudge hard with a definite bite to it, not soft like thick icing.

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  16. Hi Siamese,
    good question. I'd say it's on between the firm abd the not so firm fudge--- it holds up well and you can take bites out of it.
    When chilled in the fridge it's quite firm.

    I hope this helps a bit!

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  17. Sound yummy and a fun recipe. Merry Christmas to you and the family :) xo

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  18. Made this with my 4-year-old grandson this afternoon (he measured the chips and stirred) and we had a good time! His mom was thrilled to come home and find a treat for tonight! (She's thinking Christmas movie and fudge with her husband after the little man goes to bed.) Thank you!

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  19. Quick question, I don't have quite enough for 3 cups of semi sweet chocolate, can I use dark chocolate? Do you think it will work out?

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  20. Hi Housefluff,
    Sure thing--- the variety of chocolate is up to your taste. Enjoy!! Steph

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  21. I have a large crock pot. Will this recipe easily double?

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  22. Hi Unknown, it should be fine--- you're really just melting everything down. I haven't personally doubled the batch, but have used the large pot --- it just melted faster.
    Hope this helps a bit, Steph

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  23. Bobby Sr12/21/2015

    My question was answered already I love peanut butter and i wanted to know how much to add in and I believe it was a woman said one half a cup would that be eneough I love peanut butter fudge

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  24. Made this for Christmas and it was so good! I'm making more for New Year's, and this time I'm adding sea salt (I added a tiny bit last time since I didn't have salted butter and the few pieces that had some sea salt in them were so good!) and some leftover Kraft caramels to the crock pot! Thanks for the easy recipe! -Sarah

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  25. This is the 2nd year I am making this, my whole family LOVES it!! I am making it right now to mail off to my daughter for her bday! Thank you for this is and all the other great recipes ou post!!

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  26. Dose this fudge have to be kept in the refrigerator?

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  27. Hi Unknown, no -- it can be left on the countertop in a tupperware or something similar. :-)

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  28. Anonymous1/04/2017

    Hi! This looks delicious! Do you think this recipe would work in a rice cooker? It has two settings, cook and warm. I know it can be used for other things aside from rice but I dont know if it would be the same. Thanks!

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  29. Hi Anon, great question. This is not something I have done -- I'm not all that savvy with the rice cooker. The most adventurous I've gotten is to make lentils...
    ;-)

    I'm sorry I'm not more help to you!

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  30. Anonymous1/15/2017

    Hi I do not have Pam or cooking spray, can I grease the crock pot with butter or margarine instead?
    Really want to make this for my husband while he is at work tomorrow 😊

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  31. Hi Anon, yes, absolutely! enjoy!

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  32. I am trying this very soon!!!

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  33. I just made this and it's wonderful! Maybe a little too wonderful because I don't want to stop eating it! I plan to make this several more times and try different variations. This time I only added almonds but next time I'm going to make with sweetened condensed coconut milk and add coconut flakes.

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  34. How would I make this in a vanilla version, as I have no white chocolate, chocolate or cocoa on hand?

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