Paula Deen's 5-minute fudge is a quick and tasty treat that anyone can make. This recipe uses simple ingredients like evaporated milk, chocolate chips, and marshmallows to create a rich, creamy fudge. The best part? It only takes 5 minutes of cooking time. Just mix, melt, and pour - it's that easy. This fudge is great for satisfying sweet cravings or as a homemade gift. It's a nice balance of chocolate flavor with a hint of vanilla and some crunch from the nuts. Give it a try and see how simple it is to make your own delicious fudge at home.

Paula Deen's 5 Minute Fudge
Paula deen's 5 minute fudge | Myhomemaderecipe.com

Wanting a quick and easy dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth? Paula Deen's 5-Minute Fudge is just what you need! This really tasty homemade fudge recipe is great for when you're short on time but still want to enjoy a rich, chocolatey treat. With just a few ingredients and not much effort, you'll have a batch of creamy, soft and melted fudge that's gonna impress your family and friends for sure.

Paula Deen's fudge recipe is a classic that folks have loved for years. It's super simple to make, only needing a few minutes of your time and a microwave. The result? A deep flavor semi-sweet chocolate fudge that's smooth and creamy, and really hard to resist. Whether you're good at baking or new to the kitchen, this recipe is super easy and gonna turn out great every time.

So, let's get into this quick and easy fudge recipe that'll have you snacking on yummy homemade treats in no time!

Ingredients for Paula Deen's 5-Minute Fudge

Before we start, let's get all the ingredients you'll need to make this amazing 5-minute chocolate fudge. The best part of this recipe is how simple it is - you only need a few main ingredients to make a super tasty dessert.

  • 3 cups (18 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (if you want)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Now, let's talk about each ingredient and why it's important in this fast fudge recipe:

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

The main ingredient here is definitely the semi-sweet chocolate chips. They give us the rich, chocolatey base for our fudge. Semi-sweet chocolate has just the right mix of sweetness and cocoa flavor, making it perfect for this recipe. The chips melt real easy and smooth, creating that rich and creamy fudge texture we all love.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

This ingredient is super important for getting the fudge just right. Sweetened condensed milk is thick, creamy, and already sweet, which means we don't need to add any extra sugar to our recipe. It also helps mix all the ingredients together and gives the fudge its smooth, creamy texture.

Unsalted Butter

A little butter goes a long way in this recipe. It adds richness and helps make the fudge super smooth. We use unsalted butter so we can control how salty the fudge is. If you only have salted butter, that's okay too - just don't add any extra salt you might be thinking about.

Chopped Pecans (If You Want)

You don't have to add these, but chopped pecans add a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the fudge. They go great with the chocolate and give the fudge an extra bit of texture. If you don't like pecans or can't eat nuts, feel free to leave them out or use a different nut like walnuts or almonds.

Vanilla Extract

A bit of vanilla extract makes the chocolate flavor even better and adds more depth to the overall taste of the fudge. It's a small thing that makes a big difference in how good the fudge turns out.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Paula Deen's 5-Minute Fudge

Now that we've got all our ingredients ready, let's go through the easy steps to make this yummy homemade fudge. Remember, this is a 5-minute fudge recipe, so it's super quick and easy!

  1. Get your pan ready: Start by lining an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving some hanging over on two sides. This will make it easy to lift the fudge out of the pan once it's set. Lightly grease the foil with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Mix chocolate, milk, and butter: In a big microwave-safe bowl, put the semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Don't mix them up just yet.
  3. Microwave the mix: Put the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute. This first heating helps melt the chocolate and butter.
  4. Stir and heat again: Take the bowl out of the microwave and stir the mix well. The leftover heat will keep melting the ingredients. If there are still chunks that aren't melted, put the bowl back in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until the mix is smooth and fully melted.
  5. Add vanilla and nuts: Once your chocolate mix is smooth, stir in the vanilla extract. If you're using pecans (or any other nuts), gently mix them in now.
  6. Pour and chill: Quickly pour the fudge mix into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. Tap the pan gently on the counter to get rid of any air bubbles.
  7. Let the fudge set: Put the pan in the fridge and let the fudge chill for at least 2 hours, or until it feels firm when you touch it. Waiting is the hardest part!
  8. Cut and serve: Once the fudge is set, lift it out of the pan using the foil that's hanging over. Put it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into squares. You can make them as big or small as you like.

And there you have it! Your very own batch of Paula Deen's 5-minute fudge, ready to be eaten.

Tips for Great Fudge Every Time

While this marshmallow fudge recipe is pretty hard to mess up, here are some tips to make sure your fudge turns out great every time:

  • Use good chocolate: The chocolate is the star here, so using good semi-sweet chocolate chips will make your fudge taste even better.
  • Don't heat it too much: Be careful not to overheat the chocolate mix in the microwave. It's better to heat it for short times and stir in between than to risk burning the chocolate.
  • Stir it well: Make sure to mix the ingredients really well after microwaving. This makes sure everything is mixed together good and helps make the fudge smooth and creamy.
  • Work fast: Once you've mixed in the vanilla and nuts, pour the fudge into the pan quickly. The mix will start to set as it cools, so you want to get it into the pan while it's still easy to spread.
  • Let it set all the way: Try not to cut into the fudge too soon. Letting it set completely in the fridge will make it easier to cut and give you nice, clean squares.
  • Store it right: To keep your fudge fresh, store it in a container with a tight lid in the fridge. It should last for up to two weeks (if you can stop yourself from eating it all before then!).

Different Ways to Make Paula Deen's Fudge

One of the cool things about this fast fudge recipe is how you can change it up. Here are some fun ways you can try to mix things up:

Peanut Butter Fudge

For a nutty twist, try adding a 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter to the mix before microwaving. This makes a tasty chocolate-peanut butter fudge that's sure to be a hit.

White Chocolate Fudge

Use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips. This makes a sweet, creamy white fudge that's perfect for holidays.

Rocky Road Fudge

After pouring the fudge into the pan, top it with mini marshmallows and chopped nuts. Gently press them into the top before putting it in the fridge.

Mint Chocolate Fudge

Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract along with the vanilla for a refreshing mint chocolate fudge. You can even sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for extra minty flavor and crunch.

Fruit and Nut Fudge

Mix in dried fruits like cranberries or cherries along with the nuts for a fruity twist on the classic recipe.

Why You'll Love This 5-Minute Chocolate Fudge

Paula Deen's 5-minute fudge recipe is really great for several reasons:

  • Quick and Easy: With just 5 minutes of active prep time, this recipe is perfect for busy days or when you need a last-minute dessert.
  • Not Many Ingredients: You only need a few ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen.
  • No Special Tools: All you need is a microwave and a bowl - no fancy equipment required!
  • Can Be Changed Up: As we've seen, this basic recipe can be easily changed to make different flavors and variations.
  • Everyone Likes It: Who doesn't love rich, creamy chocolate fudge? This recipe is sure to be a hit with family and friends.
  • Great for Giving: Homemade fudge makes a wonderful gift. Put it in a pretty box or tin for a thoughtful, yummy present.

Whether you're good at baking or new to the kitchen, this semi-sweet chocolate fudge recipe is sure to become a favorite dessert you make often. It's got the perfect mix of rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture, with the added crunch of pecans if you choose to include them.

So the next time you're wanting something sweet or need a quick dessert for a get-together, give Paula Deen's 5-minute fudge a try. It's so simple, quick, and tasty, it might just become your go-to fudge recipe. Happy fudge-making!