5-Minute Microwave Marshmallow Fudge Recipe

Would you believe you can make fudge in 5 minutes with this 5-minute microwave marshmallow fudge recipe? I wouldn’t have believed it myself. 

Let me tell you my fudgy story. 

Do you want to know something funny?  For many years I thought fudge was difficult to make. I viewed is as “so gourmet” that it just was too difficult for the common kitchen and common cook like me. 

Perhaps my thought on why it was a more difficult dish to make comes from the fact that they are sold in specialty stores or at fairs/events and sold for a pretty penny! One reason for the cost in my mind was the time and energy it took to make fudge.

Then several years ago, I learned how to make fudge and I was absolutely shocked! It was unbelievably easy, minimal ingredients, and very little hands on-time. I had no idea!

Now that may sound silly to seasoned chefs reading this, but I really couldn’t believe it. I avoided learning how to make it because I thought it would be out of my budget and my time. If you have seen the recipes we share here, you know I am all about frugal and easy and so for years, I just assumed this wouldn’t fit my cooking style. 

In a nutshell, it is combining a bag of chocolate chips with a base like frosting or condensed milk, heating until it melts. Add in extra candy or sweet mix-ins, then let it cool. 

From there…you can just get creative. Let me tell you, we have taken this basic fudge concept and make fudge all-year round during holidays to share with neighbors and friends. The ideas are endless. 

What’s even funnier to me is the word, “fudge.” Say it to yourself right now five times.  It’s a funny word, right? I should have guessed from the word that it was far simpler than I imagined with a name like fudge.

We have made dozens of creative fudge concoctions over the years. In fact, when chocolate chips are on sale, we stock-up so we can make fudge on the fly.

The kids need a treat for an event? Viola = 5-minute fudge.

We need dessert for a potluck or party?  Viola = 5-minute fudge.

When we are giving plates of Christmas treats away during our caroling, half of the plate of treats is fudge of different types. And the fudge are the treats everyone raves about, while the cookies and other treats take much longer to make.

We have shared a handful of the fudge creations we have made here on the site, like Peeps Fudge, pumpkin cheesecake fudge and a few others. I still have tons I could share and so I wanted to pick a Christmasy type fudge to share with you this season. 

Since it is Christmas time, people often think of hot chocolate. We shared a bunch of hot chocolate recipes earlier this week. 

With hot chocolate, you will often have marshmallows. Well, why not make a “hot chocolate type fudge” called “5-minute microwave marshmallow fudge.” This is also one of the fudges we make at Christmas, along with candy cane and snowman fudge. 

I make fudge for events, occasions, holidays and more and can usually make it for around $5 a pan (without ingredients on sale, so potentially even less).  In an 8×8 pan, I can get 36 decent sized pieces or even more if they are smaller. Fudge is so rich in taste that you only need these small pieces to equal or surpass the sweetness of other treats.  Even making basic cookies can’t get much cheaper than $5 a batch, so I think it is actually one of the more affordable treats to make and share!

How to make 5-Minute Microwave Marshmallow Fudge 

Note that you can follow this exact same process and make any flavor of fudge, even plain chocolate, just by mixing in your favorite treat mix-ins. 

Ingredients needed for 5-Minute Microwave Marshmallow Fudge:

• 3 cups of semi-chocolate chips (this is typically 1.5 packages of chocolate chips)
• 1 14oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
• 4 TBSP of butter
• 1 tsp. of vanilla
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1 cup of mini marshmallows (or other mix-in you desire)

Directions for 5-Minute Microwave Marshmallow Fudge:

• Prepare the pan by covering an 8×8 pan with aluminum foil and spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray.

• Start with a large microwave safe bowl and add the chocolate chips and the sweetened condensed milk.

• Divide the butter into 4 1-TBSP slices and add to the mix.
• 
• Pop this mixture in the microwave on high for 60 seconds.
• Pull it out (it will be hot) and start mixing.  The chocolate chips and butter will mostly melt as you mix.

• Add the vanilla and salt and mix in.
• Pop it back in the microwave for another 30 seconds.
• Finish mixing until it is smooth and looks something like this:

• At this point, this is when you would add your marshmallows (or other mix-ins!) and gently fold them into the fudge mixture.
• Pour the fudge mixture into the pan and spread evenly with a spreader/spatula.
• Then place it in the fridge to harden.
• Once it is hard (about 2-hours), pull the foil out of the pan and lay flat on a cutting board.
• The best way to cut is with a large, sharp knife. I start by cutting all of the edges by about 1/4 of an inch to make a perfect smooth square all around. BTW – these edges still taste great and a nice treat while you cut the fudge. 🙂
• To get 36 pieces, make 6 strips with the knife from one end of the fudge to the other. Then repeat on the next side and you will have 36 even pieces.

Then present and share! These last quite a while.  You can store them on your counter in a air tight container or wrap for a couple of weeks or in the freezer for many months.

How easy is that?  It costs far less than a store-bought version and tastes much better too!

Here’s a printable recipe of the 5-minute microwave marshmallow fudge for you to make it easier to print and keep with your recipes or your home binder!

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