This smooth and creamy, chocolaty, dark chocolate walnut fudge is super easy to make, only takes a few simple ingredients, and makes the perfect holiday treat.
Fudge is right up there with cookies when it comes to classic sweet treats, especially during the holiday season. I’m not sure how this tasty confection became so closely associated with the holidays, but I know that I and everyone else I know seems to reserve making it for holiday seasons. Honestly, I think that needs to change. Fudge is so good, I think it should be enjoyed all year long!
I’ve been making fudge for years. I make varieties for every holiday. This particular fudge is one of my favorites, and it’s why I’m thinking that I should start making it at other times of the year as well. This fudge is so rich and delicious, it really does deserve to be devoured any time of year!
Dark Chocolate Walnut Fudge
If you love chocolate, you won’t find a better fudge recipe than this one. Dark chocolate, mini marshmallows, and walnuts are the stars of the show here, and they play their parts very well. The rich, dark chocolate flavor combined with the earthy crunch of the walnuts and pure sweetness of the mini marshmallows makes for a smooth, creamy fudge that has a wonderfully complex flavor even if the recipe isn’t complex at all.
The Best Chocolate Fudge
I’ve had and made all kinds of chocolate fudge over the years, and I have to say that this is the best chocolate fudge I’ve ever eaten or made. I think all of us – even hardcore fudge lovers – can agree that most fudge is simply a sweet flavor and texture combination that we love. It’s not a gourmet treat. That’s totally okay. Not everything has to be. However, the flavors that come together in this fudge elevate it above the others that I’ve had in the past. It’s just absolutely dee-licious.
Easy Homemade Dark Chocolate Fudge Recipe
The other thing I really love about this recipe is how easy it is to make. When I make anything, I prefer it to be easy. Oh, sure, I love to get in the kitchen and make intricate recipes from time to time just to prove that I can. And frankly, some of them are so good, they’re worth all that effort. That being said, when I find or create a recipe that is both delicious and easy, I’m totally sold. That’s the combination you get with this fudge recipe. Its deep, rich flavor will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen, but in reality, you’ll be in and out in no time.
Dark Chocolate Walnut Fudge Variations
One of the best things about any fudge is how easy it is to play with it to create different flavors. This recipe is no different. You can easily tweak it to change up the flavors, making this a recipe that you can turn into several different recipes without much effort at all.
Different Chips
The base of this recipe is dark chocolate chips, which means you can create an entirely different fudge by simply changing the chips that you use. Some of my favorite chips to use are:
- Milk chocolate chips
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- White chocolate chips
- Peanut butter baking chips
Different Nuts
If you want to change the flavor and texture just a little, try adding different nuts. Walnuts are a classic fudge ingredient, but other nuts work very well, as well. Some great nut options for you fudge include:
- Walnuts
- Black walnuts
- Pecans
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Peanuts
Choose your nuts based on your other ingredients. For example, peanuts make a great pairing with peanut butter baking chips, while almonds are excellent with white chocolate.
Different Toppings
It’s fun to play around with toppings for fudge, as well. While crushed nuts are excellent, you can also use other fun toppings for your fudge. Try adding any of the following as fun finishers to your fudge.
- Crushed nuts
- Shaved chocolate
- Mini marshmallows pressed into the top of the warm fudge
- Shredded, sweetened coconut
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about this dark chocolate walnut fudge, I have the answers. The following FAQ answers all the most commonly asked questions about fudge, so it’s worth a read.
What Exactly is Fudge?
Fudge is a confection made by mixing sugar, butter, milk, and often other ingredients together. It has a consistency that’s harder than fondant but softer than hard chocolate.
What is Fudge Made From?
The base of fudge is sugar, butter, and milk. After that, it can be made with a variety of ingredients. For example, any kind of chocolate, from dark to white, can be used. You’ll also find peanut butter fudge recipes, as well.
What is the Secret to Smooth Fudge?
Avoid over stirring when making your fudge to avoid gritty fudge. While boiling the mixture, you’ll need to stir constantly, but after you’ve added your ingredients to the hot liquid, only stir enough to fully incorporate everything. The less you stir, the better.
How do you Keep Fudge From Being Grainy?
First and foremost, don’t over stir the fudge. If you make a batch, and you still find that it was grainy, allow the next batch of fudge to cool for a bit without stirring it before pouring it into your dish.
What Causes Fudge Not to Set?
Usually, fudge doesn’t set because the sugar, butter, and milk haven’t been cooked long enough or to a hot enough temperature.
Dark Chocolate Walnut Fudge Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this fudge. You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already. You’ll easily find the ingredients you don’t have in the baking aisle of your grocery store.
- Dark chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows
- Walnuts, chopped
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Evaporated milk
- Sugar
How to Make Dark Chocolate Walnut Fudge
This fudge is very easy to make. Although you have to be careful when boiling your mixture to ensure your fudge will set, as long as you pay attention, you should have no issues. It’s definitely a beginner-friendly recipe.
Step 1: Prep
Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil with an overhang on both ends. Then, in a large bowl, add chocolate chips, vanilla, butter, and marshmallows.
Step 2: Boil the Sugar and Milk
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and evaporated milk together over low/medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts boiling, stirring constantly. While still stirring constantly, boil the mixture for 8-9 minutes.
Step 3: Finish the Fudge
Pour the hot sugar and milk mixture over the chocolate and marshmallow mixture and stir until well incorporated. Next, add the walnuts and stir. Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and spread in an even layer with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with the remaining walnuts. Let cool completely then cover with foil. When ready to serve, cut the fudge into 1-inch squares.
Store in an air-tight container with wax paper or parchment paper between the fudge layers, if needed, to prevent sticking.
Try This Delicious Dark Chocolate Fudge Today
This dark chocolate walnut fudge is so rich, creamy, and delicious, and it’s so easy to make. It’s the perfect treat to have on hand for snacking or to take to your next holiday get-together. Give it a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
More Delicious Rich and Delectable Dessert Recipes
Hot Fudge Cake – A delicious and decadent dessert with a thick slice of vanilla ice cream sandwiched in between two layers of rich chocolate cake, topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, and to finish it off, a cherry on top! So delicious!
Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting – This delicious gingerbread cake is so moist, made with molasses and ginger, baked to perfection and frosted with a cinnamon molasses frosting that is takes this cake to another level.
Chocolate Peppermint Pecan Fudge – Rich and full of chocolaty and peppermint flavor, this easy fudge recipe is definitely the perfect fudge during December with all the festivities, parties and holiday gatherings. Easy, delicious and a fun recipe.
And, here is a Homemade Peppermint Bark from Deliciously Seasoned you might enjoy too!
Dark Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Ingredients
- 3 cups dark chocolate chips
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 1½ cup walnuts chopped
- 1 cup butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 4 cups sugar
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil.
- In a large bowl, add chocolate chips, vanilla, butter, and marshmallows.
- In a medium saucepan, stir sugar and evaporated milk together over low heat until boiling, stirring constantly.
- Once boiling, cook for approximately 8 to 9 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Next, pour mixture over chocolate chip mixture and stir well until incorporated.
- Add 1 cup walnuts and stir.
- Pour into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining walnuts.
- Let cool then cover with foil. Once ready to serve, cut into 1 inch squares.
- Store in an airtight container with wax paper between layers, if needed.
Nutrition
Here are a couple pics that are perfect to save to your favorite dessert boards on Pinterest.
Enjoy, Terri
Adding dark chocolate to classic pecan pie is genius! It adds such a wonderful depth of flavor and richness to the already perfect caramel and pecan base. This looks like the ultimate holiday dessert!
We love making fudge for friends and family each Christmas. What a delicious recipe with the nuts and mashmallows!
Tried it yesterday and it turned out smooth and chocolatey. Super easy to make.
These were perfect to make for my workplace to snack on. They love anything with chocolate and nuts!
This is just like the fudge my Mema used to make. VERY good.
This is such a classic. I LOVED that I didn’t have to use a candy thermometer!
Oh, this is so good. It’s just like the fudge my grandma used to make. Delicoius.
This is absolutely delicious. I love that rich flavor and texture. It was an easy recipe, too.