Hot Chocolate Fudgemakes a cozy treat that tastes just like hot cocoa with marshmallows! With this easy cocoa fudge recipe, you can make some for yourself or to give as holiday gifts.
Hot Chocolate Fudge
This recipe is SO simple to make! Mix your favorite hot cocoa drink mix with melted chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk for a rich, chocolaty treat.
Then, sprinkle on some crushed peppermint candy to add a festive touch!
Since this hot chocolate fudge recipe makes a smaller batch, it requires minimal effort and won’t take up a ton of fridge space.
Plus, you can make it in the microwave or with a double boiler — either method results in rich, creamy fudge!
Wrap up a few pieces of hot chocolate fudge with Christmas Candy Cane Fudge, which combines crushed peppermint candy with creamy white chocolate.
Or balance the chocolate flavors with this delicious sugar cookie fudge.
If you’re not a fan of mint flavor, try Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge. It’s the perfect blend of creamy and crunchy, and you only need 4 ingredients to make it!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cocoa Mix – Use your favorite, whether it’s store brand or gourmet. You may even have a few packets lying around from neighbor gifts that didn’t get used.
You’ll need about 4 packets total, or 1/2 cup of mix from a canister.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – A must when making this hot chocolate fudge! It provides that rich, creamy texture and holds everything together.
While there isn’t a good substitute, you can easily make your own — find out in the FAQ below!
- Chocolate Chips – Semi-sweet are perfect for homemade fudge so it doesn’t come out too sweet or too bitter.
That said, you can mix and match different chocolates for a new flavor combo. Or, adjust based on how rich your hot cocoa mix is.
- Marshmallows – Use mini mallows for this hot chocolate fudge recipe. Classic white is my top choice, but feel free to experiment with colorful or flavored varieties!
Tips for Making Hot Cocoa Fudge
- Make drizzling easier.
Transfer the melted chocolate to a plastic zip-top storage bag, then snip off the corner to make a homemade piping bag.
You may want to double up on the bags and use one inside another — the drizzle can feel hot to the touch.
- Tip for crushing candy canes:
Place unwrapped candy in a blender or food processor and pulse until they are the correct size.
You can also place them in a zippered bag and smash with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. Freezing the candy first typically allows it to shatter more easily.
- Work smarter, not harder.
When you’re ready to slice the hot cocoa fudge, lift the foil or parchment straight out of the pan. Place on a flat surface and easily cut into evenly sized pieces.
- Get smooth, clean edges.
Dip a large, sharp knife in boiling water, then dry completely. Press down on the cocoa fudge in one smooth motion to slice.
The metal will retain the heat from the water and glide through the chocolate without melting it.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- 8×8 Pan – Since this one comes with a lid, you can stack it for better refrigerator organization.
- Double Boiler – Great for melting chocolate, making meringue and custard, or whipping up a Hollandaise sauce!
- Silicone Spatula – Withstands heat and makes the whole process much easier.
- Microwave-Safe Bowl – Not only does it make melting chocolate for this easy fudge recipe easier, but you can also use it to quickly steam vegetables!
Storing and Freezing Cocoa Fudge
Keep your hot chocolate fudge in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Otherwise, it may soften and melt, especially if your kitchen is particularly warm.
To freeze, wrap the pieces with plastic wrap first, then place them in a zippered storage bag.
Use hot cocoa fudge within 3 months for the best results, and thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Cocoa Fudge Recipe FAQ
I don’t have a double boiler. What can I use instead?
Make your own on the stove by adding an inch of water to a large saucepan. Rest a shallow, heat-safe bowl, preferably glass, just inside the opening of the saucepan.
IMPORTANT: You need to be sure that the bottom of the glass bowl doesn’t touch the surface of the water.
Bring the pot of water to a simmer. Next, place the bowl over the pan to create a seal.
Add the ingredients to the bowl and stir just until melted and smooth. The steam will create enough heat to melt the chocolate without burning it.
Be sure not to get any water or condensation inside the bowl. Otherwise, it can cause the mixture to harden and/or become crumbly.
Is there a substitute for sweetened condensed milk?
Unfortunately, not for this hot chocolate fudge recipe. Sweetened condensed milk adds a creamy texture, and it’s also what holds everything together.
However, if you have a can of evaporated milk, you can make homemade sweetened condensed milk!
Just bring one 12-oz can of evaporated milk and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Stir it constantly as it cooks, stopping when the sugar dissolves and the milk is nice and thick. SO easy!
Can I double or triple this cocoa fudge recipe?
You bet! Feel free to double or triple the ingredients and use a bigger pan to make more cocoa fudge pieces.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Fudge Recipes
Hot Chocolate Fudge
Hot Chocolate Fudge makes a cozy treat that tastes like hot cocoa with marshmallows! Make some for yourself or to give as holiday gifts.
5 stars from 2 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Chill Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Microwave
Servings 16 Large 2×2 Pieces
Ingredients
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
- 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix, 4 packages
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 4 cups marshmallows, divided
- 1/2 cup Peppermint candy canes or crushed peppermints to garnish , optional
Instructions
Line an 8×8” pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
In a microwave safe bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips, butter, sweetened condensed milk, and hot chocolate mix.
Microwave 1 minute at a time until ingredients are melted and smooth, stirring between each interval, about 3 minutes.
Add vanilla and stir until completely combined. Add 2 cups of marshmallows and stir in. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir.
Pour fudge into the prepared pan and press remaining marshmallows into the top of the fudge.
Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Cut fudge into squares.
Heat remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments until melted and smooth.
Drizzle melted chocolate over fudge and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Let cool completely.
Donna’s Notes
Double boiler method:Combine 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips, butter, sweetened condensed milk, and hot chocolate mix. Stir continuously over medium heat until melted and smooth. Continue with recipe as written.
You can transfer the chocolate drizzle to a zippered bag and cut the tip off for an easier way to drizzle on the fudge.
You can use 1/2 cup of your favorite cocoa mix in this recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 387cal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 101mg | Sugar: 46g | Fiber: 2g | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published December 2020
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