Every single bite of this delicious Patriotic Festive Fudge is a party for the palate (and for America of course). From the crunch of the star sprinkles and Mini M&M's on top, to the rich and creamy chocolate base, this is one tasty confection that never lasts for long at the summer dessert table!
When you're invited to a summer picnic, there's often the unspoken obligation of bringing something.
If you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, making a simple treat for the dessert table, like Cherry Crunch or Peanut Butter Butterscotch Blondies, is the way to go.
I often whip up a batch of this creamy Patriotic Festive Fudge to go along with one of those desserts for summer parties. It's easy to make, can be cut into tiny squares, and always gets raves.
With its hard to resist decadence and star-studded, festive decor, this fudge's taste and consistency is top notch.
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👪Why you'll love it
| Easy, one bowl recipe- Melt the chocolate, along with the milk and salt in the microwave. Add the vanilla. Put it in a pan and decorate. It's seriously that simple. Make ahead recipe- The fudge needs to set in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours, but you can make it the night before, freeing you up on a busy day to get other things done! Highly customizable- We're obviously going for a summer vibe with this fudge, but it can be made for any occasion or holiday. Just change out the sprinkles. |
🥘Ingredients
For a complete list with measurements, see the printable recipe card below
- semi-sweet chocolate chips- this fudge recipe borrows inspiration from Eagle Brand's Festive Fudge; normally I'm not a fan of using chocolate chips for melting purposes, but in this recipe, it works
- sweetened condensed milk- for cream and sweetness--do not use evaporated
- pure vanilla extract- for a delicious accent
- salt- to bring out the flavors
- red, white and blue sprinkles- buy these early in the season before they're out of stock
- M&M's Minis Red, White and Blue Mix- or just red and blue from a regular color assortment
🔪Instructions
- Place chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt in large, microwave safe bowl. Stir with a spoon until the chips are coated with the milk.
- Cover and place the bowl in your microwave and heat for 1 minute at 50% power. Continue to heat in 30 second intervals until chocolate is almost melted.
- Stir the ingredients just until there are no chocolate lumps. Then add the vanilla and stir until just blended.
- Spread the mixture into a prepared 9-inch square pan, lined with parchment paper.
- Add the sprinkles and M&M's. Firmly press on top so that they are slightly indented into the top of the fudge's surface.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
- Let stand for 10 minutes on counter. Then slice into 64 squares and enjoy!
Hint: Buy special sprinkles early in the season before stores are sold out. Keep a variety on hand for different occasions.
📖Variations
White chocolate variation- Use white chocolate chips instead for the fudge
With nuts- Add ½ cup of crushed walnuts to the fudge mixture
🍽Equipment
- 9x9 pan (lightly grease if not using parchment paper)
- large, microwave safe bowl
- plastic wrap
- stirring spoon
- mixing spoon
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- knife
- parchment paper (for easier removal from pan and for storing)
🍶Storage
Store in an airtight container and keep on your counter. Enjoy within 3-5 days.
- To prevent fudge pieces from sticking to each other, place parchment/wax paper in between layers. You may also choose to individually wrap pieces.
- If you don't plan on enjoying the fudge within 3-5 days, store it (or a portion of it) in the freezer.
- To freeze, wrap the fudge tightly as a whole block or in cut pieces in several layers of parchment or wax paper. Then place in an airtight container.
- If properly sealed, the fudge will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. When ready to enjoy, take it out of the freezer and have it thaw on your counter at room temperature for a few hours.
💭Top Tip
Use your microwave at 50% power to melt the chocolate and ingredients. It's always best to stir to smooth rather than overdoing it with heat in the microwave, which can cause the ingredients to dry out or harden.
🥄Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
🍴Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Patriotic Festive Fudge:
📋Recipe
Patriotic Festive Fudge
Ingredients
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 & ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup red, white and blue sprinkles
- ¼ cup M&M's Minis Red, White and Blue Mix
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9-inch pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Place chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt in large, microwave safe bowl. Stir with a spoon until the chips are coated with the milk. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for venting.
- Place the bowl in your microwave and heat for 1 minute. Partially remove the plastic wrap to stir the contents in the bowl. Put the plastic wrap back in place (still leaving a gap for venting) and heat the bowl in the microwave for an additional 30 seconds.
- Stir the ingredients just until there are no chocolate lumps. Then add the vanilla and stir until just blended.
- Spread the mixture into a prepared 9-inch square pan.
- Add the sprinkles and M&M's. Firmly press on top so that they are slightly indented into the top of the fudge's surface.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
- Let stand for 10 minutes on counter. Then slice into 64 squares and enjoy!
- Store in an airtight container and keep on your counter. Enjoy within 3-5 days.
Susan R. says
I always shied away from making fudge. I thought it was too hard until I saw this recipe. This was easy to follow and I liked how it was made all in one bowl. I froze some, and when that's gone, I'm looking forward to making this again.
Kitchen Ready Betty says
So glad you tried it. I agree, this is a great starter recipe.