Prepare to indulge in this Original Fantasy Fudge Recipe. Made with jet puff marshmallow cream, this easy chocolate fudge recipe is the best no-bake chocolate dessert.
Why This Recipe is the Best
This Fantasy Fudge is pure nostalgia and holiday magic all wrapped up in one delicious square. It's the same classic recipe my dad made every Christmas, and now it’s a tradition we’ve carried on.
Based on the original KRAFT recipe, it’s creamy, rich, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you serve it as-is or add a peanut butter swirl for extra flavor, this fudge is guaranteed to become a yearly favorite. It's simple, foolproof, and brings back the best memories with every bite.
Check out our other fun fudge recipes like 2 Ingredient Fudge, Oreo Fudge, and Pumpkin Fudge.
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Key Ingredients
Below is a list of ingredients needed for this recipe. Follow our tips on each ingredient for best results.
- salted butter- Make sure that you use salted butter instead of unsalted butter.
- Evaporated milk- use evaporated milk not sweetened condensed milk like some of our other fudge recipes.
- Semi sweet chocolate chips- Baker's chocolate is a great brand of semi-sweet chocolate to use.
- Jet puffed marshmallow creme- A simple ingredient that makes this fudge have that light and airy texture.
- Pure vanilla- A great additional flavor to help enhance the semi sweet chocolate. We recipe tested this with imitation and pure vanilla and found that pure vanilla made a difference in taste and was the better option, but imitation can be used in a pinch.
- Walnuts- An optional ingredient if you like added nuts to your sweets. It tastes just as great without the walnuts.
How to Make the Original Fantasy Fudge
Use these process photos and explanations to help your experience with the recipe. You can use the photos to help with texture and clarity.
- Boil butter, milk, and sugar for exactly 5 minutes. Stir to prevent scalding.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Add in the vanilla and marshmallow creme and stir until a smooth mixture.
- Scrape into a 9x9 pan lined with parchment paper. Let cool and set.
Hint: To clean the pan you cooked in easily with minimal scrubbing, simply soak in water for about 1 hour. The sugars will dissolve quickly making for an easy clean up.
Helpful Hints
We tested this recipe many times to get you the best directions for making the perfect fantasy fudge. Check them out below.
Don't overwork the fudge once you've removed it from the heat. Only mix it as much as is necessary to fully incorporate the remaining ingredients, or your fudge may end up a little gritty.
Only cook for 5 minutes, no longer. Overcooked fudge can become grainy and hard. If you only cooked it for 5 minutes and still have this problem, try cooking for just 4.5 minutes.
When you first add the chocolate chips, it may look like your chocolate has seized, but keep going; it hasn't. Trust the process.
Cook at medium heat, do not turn the heat up to make the process faster. The sugar may not dissolve, making them grainy, and they will overcook, making them hard and crumbly.
Top tip
To keep a smooth texture, make sure not to overwork the fudge once it's removed from the heat. It will start to have a gritty texture if you do!
Recipe
Original Fantasy Fudge Recipe
Equipment
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- ¾ cup salted butter 1 ½ sticks
- 5 ounce evaporated milk ⅔ cup
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
- 7 ounce jet puffed marshmallow creme
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
- 1 cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Prepare a 9x13 pan or 9x9 pan for extra thick fudge by buttering or lining with parchment paper. Set to the side.
- Place the butter, milk and sugar in a large pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously to prevent scalding. Boil exactly 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until they are fully melted. The chocolate chips will likely look weird during this step. Stir in the vanilla and marshmallow creme.
- Pour into prepared baking dish and smooth out evenly. Let cool a minimum of 1 hour before cutting up and enjoying.
Video
Notes
- Make sure to cook at medium heat. Do not turn up the heat to make the process go faster or you will end up with dry, crumbly, grainy fantasy fudge.
- The desired temperature to be reached is 234° F. You don't need to take the temperature, just boil it for 5 minutes.
- I have only tested this recipe with name brand ingredients and cannot guarantee the outcome when making with generic brands.
- The original original recipe actually calls for margarine, which you can use instead of butter, if desired.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.
Nutrition
Microwave Instructions
To make microwave fantasy fudge use a microwave safe bowl to melt the butter. Add milk and sugar and whisk vigorously.
Microwave for 3 minutes, then whisk vigorously. Then microwave for 2 more minutes then mix well, making sure to scrape the edges of the bowl. Microwave an additional 2-4 more minutes. You want the mixture to reach 234° F.
Add the chocolate chips and mix vigorously until they're melted and incorporated. Stir in the marshmallow cream and vanilla. Transfer to prepared pan, and let cool for 1 hour before cutting and serving.
Substitutions and Variations
We love switching things up when we're in the kitchen. Try any of these variations for something a little different.
- Nuts or Dried Fruit - add in your favorite chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, or even peanuts. You can also add in dried fruit like craisins, raisins, dried blueberries and more depending on your taste preferences.
- Cookie Pieces - Chop up chocolate chip cookies, or your favorite cookie, into small pieces and mix them in with the fudge mixture.
- Chocolate Chips-For a more chocolaty experience, add in chocolate chips right before adding to the prepared pan. Or press chocolate chips into the top of the setting fudge.
- Peppermint-Peppermint fantasy fudge is easy to make. Simply add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and reduce the vanilla to ½ teaspoon.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter-Chocolate peanut butter fantasy fudge is so tasty. Mix in a ribbon of peanut butter to make a chocolate peanut butter experience.
- KRAFT fantasy fudge-old recipe- To make the original recipe that use this same recipe but instead of salted butter, substitute with margarine.
How To Serve Fudge
In the summer months, make this with a cold glass of Creamy Lemonade for a no-bake dessert that won't heat up the house.
This is a great Christmas time dessert that's quick to make and the whole family can enjoy.
Make with our Candy Cane Cookies, and Peppermint Brownies to make the perfect neighbor gifts.
Enjoy on its own all year long as a tasty treat.
Storage
Original Fantasy Fudge Recipe can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
This recipe freezes and thaws great. Make ahead of time and freeze. When ready to serve, thaw and enjoy. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
FAQ
Fantasy Fudge is an easy no-bake dessert that is made in one sauce pan. Combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan, including evaporated milk, jet puffed marshmallow creme, and chocolate chips. Simmer for 5 minutes and transfer to a baking dish to cool and serve.
Store either in an air tight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or freeze in a freezer friendly container for several months.
If the texture is gritty, you have overcooked the fudge, or used high heat and didn't allow for the sugar to dissolve. You need to only cook for 4.5-5 minutes and on medium heat.
Yes! This is a great way to store the fudge if you can't get to eating it all in a couple of days. This is also a great way to make large batches and freeze for a later date. It can help with dessert prep around the holidays.
If the texture is dry and crumbly, you have overcooked the fudge. If it's to soft and not setting, you have undercooked it. Make sure to boil for no more than 5 minutes at medium heat getting that temperature to 234 *F.
Andrea says
I remember having this original recipe growing up and loving making it with the marshmallow creme. I'm so happy to have found this fantasy fudge recipe. It's so good and perfect for a no-bake dessert and I'm totally making it during Christmas.
Sharon Salings says
There are no amounts of the ingredients. WTH?
Andrea says
The ingredients amounts are found on the recipe card with the instructions, this is located at the bottom of the post right above where you left the comment.
Jed says
Simple and delicious! Big hit in our house