In the summer, your cravings for sweet treats don’t stop, but your desire to turn on the oven does. How can you have dessert when you don’t dare preheat the oven? The answer to your problem is no-bake desserts, and today, we’re talking about fudge. Fudge is a summer favorite as it’s sold at beach-side towns and boardwalks. People cool down with the sticky fudge that melts in their mouths, and now you can learn to make it at home with only 3 ingredients. Your fudge will take you minutes to make, and then all you have to do is let it set in the refrigerator. Check out these six recipes to see what we mean.
1. 3-Ingredient Chocolate Fudge
Fudge | Source: iStock
First up is 3-ingredient chocolate fudge from Foodie and Wine. If you have chocolate chips, condensed milk, and vanilla extract, you’re ready to make homemade fudge. The dessert will take you no time at all and can be stored in the refrigerator for the next time a craving strikes. This fudge only requires three ingredients but can be topped with any garnishes you like. Throw on nuts, sprinkles, coconut flakes, or more and sink your teeth into a fudge you can feel good about.
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups Chocolate Chips
- 14 oz Condensed Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Directions:vLine a 9-by-9 pan with foil or parchment paper and mist with cooking spray.
Place chocolate chips and condensed milk in a bowl and combine. Microwave for 1 minute and stir. If the chocolate isn’t smooth, microwave for another 30 seconds (as needed). Fold in the vanilla until combined. Pour smooth chocolate into the pan and refrigerate for at least an hour. Cut into 1-by-1.
2. 3-Ingredient Peppermint Oreo Fudge
Oreos | Source: Thinkstock
If you want to incorporate your favorite toppings into your fudge, try this peppermint oreo fudge from The Gunny Sack. It again only requires 3 ingredients, and this time, it’s frosting, chocolate chips, and peppermint Oreos. You’ll combine the three ingredients in a bowl before spreading the good stuff into a prepared pan and topping with more chopped Oreos. This fudge proves that you can enjoy peppermint during any season — just keep your eye out for the right Oreos!
Ingredients:
- 12 oz container peppermint frosting (or add 2 tsp peppermint extract to 12 oz vanilla frosting)
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- ½ cup finely crushed Peppermint Oreos
- 1 cup roughly chopped Peppermint Oreos
Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave. Add peppermint frosting and finely crushed Oreos. Mix together. Spread into the prepared pan. Top with roughly chopped Oreo and gently press them into the fudge. Place in the fridge to cool and set.
Lift fudge from pan. Gently peel the foil from the fudge and cut into squares.
3. Healthy 3-Ingredient Maple Almond Fudge
Maple almond fudge | Source: iStock
If you’re looking for a sweet yet somewhat healthy treat, this 3-ingredient maple almond fudge from A Big Man’s World is for you. Not only is it vegan and paleo-friendly, it’s also gluten- and refined sugar-free. The fudge is full of healthy fats that come from almond butter and almond meal, and maple syrup is the sweetener that binds everything together. It’s also up to you whether you want to further flavor your fudge with vanilla extract. Refrigerate this fudge for at least 30 minutes and then dig in.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond meal (can sub almond flour)
- ½ cup natural almond butter
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Directions: Line a deep baking dish with baking paper and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, add the almond meal and set aside.
In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, melt the almond butter with the maple syrup until combined. Add the vanilla extract if desired. Pour the wet mixture into the almond meal and mix until fully combined — the batter should be very thick.
Transfer into the lined baking dish/tray and press firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing up.
4. 3-Ingredient Vanilla Bean Fudge
Vanilla bean fudge | Source: iStock
Next up is another 3-ingredient fudge recipe, and this one is all about vanilla. The vanilla bean fudge is from Something Swanky and it calls into play white chocolate, condensed milk, and vanilla bean paste. You’ll combine your ingredients in a saucepan until melted and smooth, and then all you have to do is wait for the fudge to set. If you’re a vanilla lover, you’re going to love the deeply rich taste of this Vanilla Bean Fudge.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups white chocolate or white candy melts
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (OR 1 vanilla bean, scraped)
- Optional: white melting candy for drizzling over top and sprinkles
Directions: Prepare a 9-by-9 baking dish by lining it with foil or parchment paper.
Over low heat in a medium saucepan, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, the vanilla paste, and the white chocolate until melted and smooth. This may take up to 10 minutes, but do not increase the heat.
Once smooth, pour the mixture into the lined baking dish. Let cool completely (you can speed-set the fudge by placing it in the refrigerator for up to 20 minutes), 3 to 4 hours.
Once cooled completely and set, cut into 1-inch squares for packaging and serving.
5. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut butter | Source: iStock
Peanut butter enthusiasts will love this 3-ingredient peanut butter fudge from Sprinkle Bakes. Condensed milk combined with peanut butter yields a decadent mixture worth spending a couple extra minutes at the gym for. And with the addition of white almond bark, all bets are off. This easy dessert will quench your sweet and salty cravings, and gift you with a sweet treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 package (16 ounces) white almond bark , broken into pieces
- Flake or coarse grain sea salt, optional
Directions: Line a 8-inch square pan with foil that overhangs all four edges and spray with cooking spray.
Place the sweetened condensed milk, 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter and almond bark in a large microwavable bowl. Heat in the microwave uncovered on high in 1-minute increments, stirring well between each, until melted and smooth. This will take about 3 minutes.
Immediately pour the mixture into the prepared pan or tin. Pick up and drop the pan twice or until the surface becomes level. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill until set, about 2 hours. Sprinkle with sea salt, if using.
6. 3-Ingredient Reeses’s Fudge
Fudge | Source: iStock
Last but definitely not least: Reese’s fudge. Dessert dreams come true in the form of this fudge from Butter With a Side of Bread. Who knew that all you need for the good stuff is frosting, peanut butter chips, and Reese’s Pieces? Not us, but now we know, and we bet it’ll be your go-to no-bake dessert. The fun enhancement to typical vanilla fudge will please all of your eaters, but that’s only if they can convince you to share the sugary indulgence that is fudge.
Ingredients:
- 1 container vanilla frosting (basic kind- not fluffy!)
- 1 10-oz package peanut butter chips
- 1-10-oz bag mini Reese’s Pieces
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