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 to the rich and creamy chocolate base, this easy homemade confection never lasts for long on a dessert table. It's the perfect easy treat to whip up for your next summer picnic or July 4th celebration!
Summer picnics are always better when you bring a delicious, easy treat to share with your favorite people. This easy fudge recipe is a lifesaver when you need a festive dessert without spending hours in a hot kitchen. It's the perfect stress-free solution for any busy host during Fourth of July or Memorial Day.
Making this Patriotic Festive Fudge is a breeze since the entire process happens in just one bowl. The rich decadence and smooth consistency make this quick treat feel truly top-notch. Kids will love helping you press the star-studded decorations into the top for that perfect holiday look.
I often whip up a batch of this creamy fudge to accompany other classics like my Cherry Crunch. It also pairs beautifully with these Peanut Butter Butterscotch Blondies for a varied dessert table. You can even cut the fudge into tiny squares so it goes a long way with a large crowd!
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🥘Ingredients
- 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
- Step 1: Microwave condensed milk, salt, and chocolate chips at 50% power in 30 second intervals.
- Step 2: Add vanilla extract.
- Step 3: Stir until just blended; then transfer mixture to square pan lined with parchment paper.
- Step 4: Press on the decorations; cover and refrigerate 2 hours before slicing into squares.
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.
🗨️FAQ
Graininess usually happens when sugar crystals do not dissolve properly. Since this recipe uses sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips, you avoid the traditional boiling pitfalls. Just ensure you do not overcook the mixture in the microwave, as scorched chocolate can also create a gritty texture.
The secret is timing. You want to press your decorations into the top of the patriotic festive fudge while it is still warm and tacky. If the fudge sets too much, the toppings will just roll off; if it is too hot, the colors from the M&Ms might bleed into the chocolate.
For the best creamy texture, store your fudge in an airtight container at room temperature. While the fridge is great for the initial set, keeping it there long-term can actually dry it out. If your kitchen is very warm, the fridge is fine, but let it sit out for ten minutes before serving for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
To get those sharp, professional-looking edges, let the fudge set completely in the fridge first. Use a large, sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between every single cut. The heat from the blade will glide through the dense chocolate without sticking or tearing the festive decorations.
🥄Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
🍴Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Patriotic Festive Fudge:
📋Recipe with step-by-step instructions
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.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note that nutritional information is provided by a third party service and is intended for guidance purposes only. KitchenReadyBetty.com makes no claims to its accuracy.
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.