Old Fashioned Christmas Fudge


My grandmother didn't actually write down very many of her recipes. Periodically, I try to recreate some of the wonderful dishes she used to make. A couple of years ago, I started trying to capture the taste of the fudge she always made for Christmas. The Carnation Famous Fudge recipe came very close, but wasn't exactly "it". This year, I made a few changes to Carnation's recipe, and I think I finally found what I was looking for!

This fudge isn't particularly fast, or two-ingredient, or microwave, or shortcut. But it is a sweet, creamy, melt-in-your mouth treat that is now my official Christmas fudge recipe. :) Using the three different kinds of chocolate are what makes all the difference in this recipe; it's worth the extra effort.

Old Fashioned Christmas Fudge

Makes at least 48 pieces, depending on what size you cut them

1  and 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup (5 oz. can) evaporated milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (regular stick butter)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 heaping cups miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, roughly chopped
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Line an 8 inch square baking pan with foil (use heavy duty or a double thickness of regular), overhanging on 2 sides. Spray lightly with cooking spray.

Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt in a medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Turn the heat down a little, and cook at a low boil for 5 minutes, continuing to stir constantly. Remove pan from heat.


Stir in the vanilla, then stir in the marshmallows, the three kinds of chocolate, and pecans. Stir vigorously for one minute, or until marshmallows and chocolate are completely melted. Pour into prepared pan. 

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm (it cuts much more easily when completely cold). Using foil overhangs, lift fudge from pan. Remove foil. Cut into 1" squares. Store in a wax paper lined, covered container, preferably in the refrigerator.

Enjoy! 



This fudge may have been taken to some of these fun parties!

32 comments:

  1. This fudge looks delicious and I intend to make it and not share it with my friends because they are gluttonous pigs and would eat it all before I got a taste. Great recipe!

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  2. Frank, you are now my Christmas Fudge Hero (t-shirt is available) for saving my candy from comment-less purgatory. :)

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  3. Fudge is one of my, every year have to make, Christmas Candies! Yours looks so good I want to make some right now. Christmas in July, right? psst. I brought my divinity to the FFF party!

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    1. Yes, I think Christmas in July is the perfect excuse to make fudge...AND divinity! Thank you for coming by, Barbara! :)

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  4. Fudge is perfect any time of the year. I can almost feel the chill in the air (who am I kidding?) I wish I can feel the chill in the air :).

    I'm sharing this on my FB page tomorrow and pinning this.

    Thanks so much Joy,
    Joanne/WineLady Cooks

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    1. Joanne, thank you so much for sharing and pinning! Thanks for hosting FFF! :)

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  5. Joy, this fudge looks amazing! Thanks for stopping by and sharing it with Foodie Friends Friday this week. It's my hostess pick and will be featured next week!

    Have a great weekend!

    Sarah
    The Chef Next Door

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    1. Sarah, you don't know how excited I am- thank you so much for picking my Christmas Fudge for your feature! I always enjoy FFF- thank you for hosting! :)

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  6. Joy, your fudge looks delicious! Thank you for linking up with Foodie Friends Friday!

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    1. Thank you, Lois, and thanks for hosting! :)

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  7. What other nuts could u use instead of pecans?

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    1. Hi, Kim! A lot of people use walnuts in their fudge, you might try that! Thanks for visiting! :)

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  8. This reminds me of a recipe I used to make every Christmas but haven't made in awhile. It sounds delicious -- I must make it this year! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you, Carol- we really love it. If you try it, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thank you for coming by! :)

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  9. Yum! I love fudge. My granny makes the best, probably a similar recipe to this. I take the shortcut and melt chocolate chips together with butter and sweetened condensed milk. Turns out yummy, but I'm guessing this old fashioned recipe is delicious too.

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    1. Jelli, I've rarely met a fudge I didn't like! ;) This one happens to be my favorite, but I have made the chips and sweetened condensed milk fudge, too. It's certainly easier and less time-consuming, and with a new baby, that's exactly what you need. :) Thank you for taking the time to come by!

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  10. This look's lovely how long would it last and I you wouldn't be able to freeze them?

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    1. Hello, Bernice! The fudge keeps well for several days if it's refrigerated in a tightly closed container. I haven't ever tried to freeze it...I think you should be able to. I'll have to try it and find out! Great idea- thank you! :)

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  11. I love fudge! I don't think I have ever made it with marshmallows though! Thank you for sharing this at the Home for the Holidays link Party. I hope you continue to bring more of your wonderful recipes, the party continues for a month!

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    1. Thank you, Cynthia, I will! Thanks for Home for the Holidays! :)

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  12. Do you think this fudge would ship well? I have several family members in the service.
    Thanks Sheila

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    1. Sheila, I really do not know, I haven’t tried it. I think if it was wrapped very well (for freshness) and then cushioned (like you would probably wrap any food item), it might. I’ve never tried it. I might think twice if it was going to somewhere really hot.....but somewhere with moderate or cool temperatures...it might be worth a try! This particular fudge IS pretty sturdy. If you try it, please, please let us know how it worked for you! :) ♥

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  13. Joy! your fudge brought Christmas memories of 80s and 90s. It looks so delicious and yum! Cant wait to try your version!

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  14. Your description of this fudge is everything my sister speaks of a recipe she wished she had but could never get her b/f at the time to give her the family recipe. I will surprise her today. Thanks

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    1. Cheryl, what a wonderful sister you are! I HOPE the recipe is even a little bit close to the one your sister remembers. Thank you for coming by and letting me know you are trying it! :)

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  15. I wonder if it would taste good if no chocolate added.....More of w vanilla fudge ?? Not as sweet for some here/diabetics included
    Any suggestions welcomed

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  16. I made this fudge today, December 15, 2014. It was supposed to be for Christmas; however, after the taste-testing was done, so was the fudge. It is so good :-) In fact, too good! Now I have to make another batch. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I will be definitely be adding it to my repertoire of Christmas recipes.

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    1. Lucille, thank you so much for letting me know that you tried the recipe, and that you liked it! It’s our favorite- I’m really glad you liked it, too! You made my day- Merry Christmas! :)

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  17. Joy, I love Fudge!! I'm going to have to try your recipe soon!! =)
    Thanks for sharing!

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  18. I just made this Little Boy Fudge for the second time! Everyone really gets a kick out of the name lol and it goes so quickly!!! SO yummy.

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  19. I'm making this today. Was going through comments and realized who's recipe I was looking at!:) I can't wait to see how this turns out. It sounds like it's creamy and that's the winning recipe I've been looking for.

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    1. Christi, I hope you love it! I just made another batch 2 days ago. :) Merry Christmas! :) ♥

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