Imagine capturing the cozy, nostalgic warmth of a steaming mug of hot cocoa in a rich, decadent, and incredibly easy-to-make treat. This Hot Cocoa Fudge Recipe does exactly that. It transforms your favorite hot chocolate mix into a smooth, creamy fudge that melts in your mouth, delivering pure comfort in every bite. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute holiday gift, a simple dessert for a party, or just a sweet treat to enjoy, this recipe is your foolproof solution.
We’re ditching the candy thermometers and complicated steps. This simple recipe relies on the magic of sweetened condensed milk to create a perfectly smooth texture every single time. Let’s get started!
Why This is the Best Hot Cocoa Fudge Recipe
In a world of complex candy-making, this Hot Cocoa Fudge Recipe stands out for its sheer simplicity and delightful flavor. It’s a game-changer for holiday baking and beyond.
Incredibly Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and no need for a candy thermometer, it’s a perfect recipe for beginners.
Fast & Foolproof: You can whip this up in about 10 minutes before letting it chill. The sweetened condensed milk ensures a creamy, never-gritty texture.
Nostalgic Flavor: It tastes exactly like a cup of rich hot chocolate, complete with mini marshmallows!
Perfect for Gifting: Beautifully packaged, this fudge makes a wonderful and heartfelt homemade gift for friends, family, and neighbors during the holidays. For more giftable ideas, try these amazing M&M Christmas Cookie Bars.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Fudge
The magic of this recipe is in its simplicity. You only need a few pantry staples to create this delicious treat.
Ready for sharing... or for keeping all to yourself!
Ingredient Checklist
Chocolate Chips: A combination of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips provides a balanced, rich chocolate flavor that isn’t overly sweet.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is the secret ingredient! It provides the sugar, liquid, and milk solids needed for a smooth, no-fail fudge texture. Do not substitute with evaporated milk.
Hot Cocoa Mix: Use your favorite brand of high-quality hot cocoa mix. The kind with mini marshmallows already included is a fun bonus!
Butter: Adds richness and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully.
Mini Marshmallows: Fold these in at the end for that classic hot cocoa experience.
How to Make This Hot Cocoa Fudge Recipe
Making this fudge is as simple as melting and mixing. Follow these steps for perfect results.
Prepare Your Pan: Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to act as handles. This will make it easy to lift the fudge out later.
Melt the Base: In a medium saucepan, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and cubed butter. Heat over low-medium heat, stirring constantly until everything is melted and the mixture is smooth.
Add the Flavor: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately stir in the hot cocoa mix and vanilla extract until fully combined and glossy.
Fold in Marshmallows: Let the mixture cool for a minute, then gently fold in the mini marshmallows. Be quick, so they don’t melt completely!
Chill the Fudge: Pour the fudge mixture into your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Top with extra mini marshmallows if desired. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, or until firm.
Slice and Serve: Once the fudge is firm, use the parchment paper handles to lift it out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and slice it into small squares.
Look at that perfectly smooth and creamy texture!
Tips for the Creamiest, Most Foolproof Fudge
While this recipe is incredibly simple, a few tips will guarantee success.
Use Low Heat: Melting the chocolate mixture slowly over low heat is crucial. Rushing this step with high heat can scorch the chocolate and make your fudge grainy.
Don’t Substitute Condensed Milk: Sweetened condensed milk is essential for the texture. Evaporated milk or regular milk will not work in this recipe.
Work Quickly: Once the chocolate is melted and you add the other ingredients, the fudge will begin to set up quickly. Have your pan ready and work efficiently. If you love no-bake recipes, these No-Bake Gingerbread Truffles are another must-try.
Fun Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. Try one of these delicious variations!
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Fudge: Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract along with the vanilla and top with crushed candy canes. This is perfect for the holidays, just like our favorite Peppermint Pretzel Bites.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Fudge: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper with the hot cocoa mix for a warming kick.
Salted Caramel Fudge: Drizzle the top of the set fudge with your favorite caramel sauce and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Storage and Gifting
Proper storage keeps your fudge fresh and delicious.
Store the fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If your kitchen is warm, you can store it in the refrigerator, but let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for the best texture. For longer storage, you can freeze the fudge for up to 3 months. For gifting, place the fudge squares in a decorative box or tin, separated by layers of wax paper.
Yes, you can use your favorite brand of hot cocoa mix. A higher quality mix will result in a richer chocolate flavor. Mixes that already contain mini marshmallows are a great choice for this recipe.
Grainy fudge is usually caused by the sugar not dissolving properly or the chocolate being heated too quickly. This recipe uses sweetened condensed milk to prevent that, but be sure to melt your ingredients over low, steady heat, stirring constantly.
No, that’s the best part! This is a no-fail fudge recipe that does not require a candy thermometer. The sweetened condensed milk ensures it sets up perfectly every time.
Store the fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If your home is very warm, you can refrigerate it, but allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Absolutely! This fudge is perfect for making ahead. It keeps well for a week at room temperature and can even be frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to wrap it tightly before freezing.
More Holiday Treats You’ll Love
This Hot Cocoa Fudge Recipe is a fantastic addition to any holiday dessert spread. We hope you love making and sharing this delightful treat! If you try it, let us know what you think in the comments below, and don’t forget to share a picture of your creation on Pinterest!
Get the cozy flavor of hot chocolate in every bite of this easy fudge!
Hot Cocoa Fudge Recipe
FL Recipes
Hot Cocoa Fudge Recipe (Easy & Creamy)
Capture the cozy flavor of hot chocolate in this incredibly easy, no-fail Hot Cocoa Fudge Recipe. Made with real hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows, this creamy fudge is ready in minutes and is perfect for holiday gifting.
1/2cuphot cocoa mixplus more for dusting if desired
1teaspoonvanilla extract
2cupsmini marshmallowsdivided
Equipment
1 8x8 inch baking pan
1 Saucepan
Parchment Paper
Method
Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
In a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, combine semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Stir constantly until fully melted and smooth.
Remove the pan from the heat. Immediately stir in the hot cocoa mix and vanilla extract until well combined.
Let the mixture cool for 1-2 minutes, then fold in 1 1/2 cups of the mini marshmallows.
Quickly spread the fudge into the prepared pan. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows.
Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, or until the fudge is completely firm.
Lift the fudge from the pan using the parchment paper handles and slice into 36 small squares. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcalProtein: 2gFat: 6gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: For clean cuts, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each slice. Tip 2: Use a high-quality hot cocoa mix for the best flavor. A dark chocolate or gourmet cocoa mix will yield a richer fudge.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
