The Best Million Dollar Fudge Recipe (2024)

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The best million dollar fudge recipe is decadent, chocolatey, and creamy.

Created by First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, the fudge continues to be a favorite around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The recipe is perfect for last-minute gifts, holiday parties, and sharing with friends and family.

Mamie Eisenhower’s Fudge

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The fudge recipe, published in 1957, became one of the best family favorites among Americans. Mamie’s million dollar fudge was a hit and has stayed a hit!

And Mamie’s fudge makes a large pan that will melt in your mouth.

Is This The Most Expensive Fudge?

No, it is not expensive, and you will get a large amount of fudge for the few ingredients that you need.

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Ingredients For Million Dollar Fudge

  • Marshmallow creme
  • German sweet chocolate squares
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • White sugar
  • Salted butter
  • Evaporated milk
  • Chopped walnuts

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed below in the recipe card.

Watch How To Make The Best Million Dollar Fudge

How To Make Million Dollar Fudge

  1. Add the marshmallow creme, sweet German chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and walnuts to a large mixing bowl. (Make sure the bowl is heat-safe as you will be pouring the boiling syrup mixture into this bowl in a later step).
  2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter on medium.
  3. Pour the evaporated milk and sugar into the pan and stir to combine.
  4. Turn the heat up to medium-high, bring to a boil, and boil for six minutes, stirring often.
  5. Pour the boiling mixture over the bowl with the chocolate and marshmallow and stir until combined.
  6. Pour the fudge into a prepared pan and sprinkle the top with a handful of chopped walnuts.
  7. Allow the fudge to set up for two to three hours.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Line a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

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Add the marshmallow creme to a heat-safe mixing bowl.

I used a large bowl because you will be adding the cooked sugar syrup to the bowl in a later step.

For this recipe, I used some generic marshmallow creme. You can use marshmallow fluff, a Jet Puffed jar of marshmallow cream, or your favorite kind.

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Next, break up the pieces of German sweet chocolate and add it to the bowl.

I used Baker’s sweetened chocolate for this recipe. Make sure you get sweet and not unsweetened.

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Add the semisweet chocolate chips to the bowl.

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Finally, add the chopped walnuts to the bowl and set it aside.

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Grab a large heavy saucepan and add the butter. Cook it on medium heat.

I used salted butter for the recipe to add a touch of salt flavor.

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Pour the evaporated milk into the saucepan.

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Add the sugar to the saucepan and stir until combined. Turn the burner up to medium-high heat.

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Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for six minutes, stirring often.

The sugar dissolves as it cooks.

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Once the six minutes are up, pour the sugar mixture over the walnuts.

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Mix the chocolate mixture until combined.

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Pour fudge into the prepared pan.

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Sprinkle a handful of walnuts on top of the fudge and allow it to set up for two to three hours.

You can let it set up at room temperature or put it in the refrigerator.

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Once the fudge sets up, slice it into 1-inch squares and enjoy!

The fudge will still be a tad soft.

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What Is The Secret To Good Fudge That Is Not Gritty?

Be sure to cook it to the required temperature. If you don’t the sugar might stay gritty.

What Makes Fudge Hard Or Soft?

If you don’t cook the fudge enough, you will end up with soft fudge. If you cook it too long, it will dry out and harden. You want to retain the perfect amount of liquid in the fudge. When you cook it to the correct temperature, the fudge should come out perfect!

More Delicious Recipes For The Holiday Season

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  • No bake chocolate cream pie
  • Jiffy cornbread dressing
  • Jiffy corn pudding
  • 25 party dip appetizers
  • Classic pumpkin pie
  • Dark chocolate fudge recipe
  • Chocolate frosting fudge
  • Butter pecan fudge recipe
  • Old fashioned fudge with peanut butter
  • Easy three ingredient fudge from Out Of The Box Baking

Questions about fudge?

Your questions are answered here.

How To Store Million Dollar Fudge

After the fudge cools and sets up you can store it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap. The fudge can be left at room temperature or stored in the refrigerator.

The Best Million Dollar Fudge

Be sure to get the recipe for Mamie Eisenhower’s fudge and share it with friends and family this holiday season.

It’s one of those great recipes that is part of the history books. It’s some of the best fudge around.

It will become a favorite fudge recipe at your house, and it’s already one at the White House!

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The Best Million Dollar Fudge

Yield: 25 pieces

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

Million dollar fudge is a rich and decadent dessert that is easy to make. It's perfect for holiday gifts and will become one of your favorite recipes.

Ingredients

  • 13 ounces marshmallow cream
  • 12 ounces German sweet chocolate
  • 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 cups chopped walnuts
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 4-1/2 cups sugar
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk

Instructions


Line a 9-inch by 13-inch pan with parchment paper.

  1. Add the marshmallow creme, German sweet chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts to a large heat-safe bowl. Set it aside.
  2. In a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter on medium heat.
  3. Pour the evaporated milk and sugar into the pan and mix until combined.
  4. Cook on medium-high. Bring to a boil and boil for six minutes, stirring often.
  5. After six minutes, pour the boiling syrup over the chocolate mixture and mix until combined.
  6. Pour fudge into the pan and sprinkle a handful of walnuts on top.
  7. Allow the fudge to set up for two to three hours at room temperature or one to two hours in the refrigerator.
  8. Once it sets up you can lift fudge out with the parchment paper.

Notes

The fudge will still be a little soft when it sets up.

Be sure to get the sweet baking chocolate. NOT the unsweetened.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 352Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 50mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 2gSugar: 42gProtein: 5g

Nutrition is approximate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Julie Pollitt( Blogger Behind Back To My Southern Roots )

Hi there! I’m Julie Pollitt from ‘Back To My Southern Roots.’ My love for cooking started way back on my grandparents’ farm in Tennessee. Those sunny days, the smell of biscuits in the oven, and all the family fun really sparked my passion for cooking. On my blog, I share more than just recipes – they’re like stories from my life, full of Southern warmth and homey goodness. The best part? Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a kitchen pro, you’ll find my recipes super easy to whip up. So, come on, pull up a chair, and let’s make some delicious memories!

The Best Million Dollar Fudge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

How do you know when fudge is beaten enough? ›

After letting the fudge cool, it's time to beat it. It is important to stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture starts to thicken and its surface starts to look dull or matte. Now is the time to stop beating and pour the fudge into a mould.

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

How do I get my fudge to harden? ›

If your fudge fails to harden in the fridge, it means that you probably didn't cook it to the right temperature. Fudge is a candy, and that means it is extremely picky about temperature - fudge must be cooked to precisely 237–239 degrees Fahrenheit so that sugar forms the desired consistency when cooled.

What makes fudge softer? ›

If you don't heat your fudge to a high enough temperature, you'll end up with a soft product. And if you heat the mixture too much, your fudge may be harder than you'd like.

Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›

Don't stir!

Once the fudge reaches soft-ball stage on the candy thermometer, remove from the heat and let the temperature drop to 110°F. Keep that spoon or spatula out of the pot until this happens. If you stir too early in the process, you'll make the sugar crystals too big and end up with grainy fudge.

What went wrong with my fudge? ›

Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture. Pay attention to the timetable specified in the recipe, and you'll get the hang of it after a batch or two.

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

What is the best pan to make fudge in? ›

Secondly, the pot's material should allow for good heat distribution hence your top choice should be copper cookware or a pot with a copper core. Copper's exceptional heat conductivity offers unparalleled temperature control, an asset when working with finicky ingredients like sugar.

What happens if you over stir fudge? ›

Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to a boil, do not stir it. If you do, the sugar can crystallize, giving your fudge a gritty texture.

What to do with failed fudge? ›

My advice to you is to just pour it in a jar, call it something else delicious, and pretend you meant for it to be that way. The nice thing about my “failed” fudge is that it tastes absolutely delicious! A spoonful of the delectable treat will make you want for more.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

Why do you add salt to fudge? ›

Salt: While some homemade fudge recipes do not call for salt, I find it essential for balancing out the sweetness of the condensed milk.

What happens if I use too much cream of tartar? ›

“Too much cream of tartar will impart a metallic, tin-like taste,” Molly warns.

Do you stir fudge when it's boiling? ›

Know When and When NOT to Stir

Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.

Can you overbeat fudge? ›

Beating the cooled batter is one of the crucial steps of fudge-making, but overbeating can turn fudge hard as a rock. Pay close attention to the change in appearance and only beat the fudge until it loses its glossy sheen.

How do you cut fudge so it doesn't crumble? ›

How To Cut Fudge
  1. allow the fudge to set in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours.
  2. remove the fudge from the fridge and place onto a flat chopping board.
  3. dip a large sharp flat knife in boiling water, dry it completely and cut one long slice (the heat will help the knife to glide through)
Sep 27, 2019

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