Valentine’s Day fudge is a rich, creamy treat that’s perfect for celebrating love and friendship. Made with a handful of ingredients, this fudge is incredibly easy to prepare and can be customized with festive colors, sprinkles, or heart-shaped decorations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just minutes with no baking required.
- Rich and Creamy: A decadent chocolatey texture that melts in your mouth.
- Perfectly Festive: Decorated with Valentine’s sprinkles or candy for a holiday touch.
- Customizable: Use different chocolates, flavors, or toppings to make it your own.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Semi-sweet or white chocolate chips
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Red or pink food coloring (optional, for white chocolate fudge)
- Valentine’s-themed sprinkles or candy hearts (optional, for decoration)
Directions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Melt the Chocolate:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter.
- Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and fully melted.
- Add Flavor and Color: Stir in vanilla extract. If making pink or red fudge, add a few drops of food coloring and mix until evenly combined.
- Pour and Decorate: Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Immediately sprinkle Valentine’s sprinkles or press candy hearts onto the surface.
- Chill: Refrigerate the fudge for at least 2-3 hours, or until firm.
- Cut and Serve: Use the parchment paper to lift the fudge from the pan. Cut into squares or heart shapes using a knife or cookie cutter. Serve and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes approximately 16-20 squares.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Chilling Time: 2-3 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Variations
- Dark Chocolate Fudge: Use dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
- Layered Fudge: Create layers by pouring white chocolate fudge over a base layer of dark chocolate fudge. Chill each layer before adding the next.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Swirl in melted peanut butter before chilling for a nutty twist.
- Strawberry Fudge: Use strawberry-flavored white chocolate and pink food coloring for a fruity variation.
- Toppings Galore: Add crushed pretzels, mini marshmallows, or chopped nuts for extra texture.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: Freeze fudge in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Reheating: Fudge is best served cold or at room temperature; no reheating is required.
FAQs
1. Can I use sweetened condensed milk substitutes?
No, sweetened condensed milk is essential for this recipe’s creamy texture and sweetness.
2. What type of chocolate works best?
High-quality chocolate chips or bars (semi-sweet, dark, or white) melt smoothly and provide the best results.
3. Can I make this fudge dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free chocolate and sweetened condensed coconut milk as substitutes.
4. How do I prevent fudge from sticking to the pan?
Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving overhangs for easy lifting.
5. Why is my fudge grainy?
Overheating the chocolate can cause it to seize. Melt the chocolate gently and stir continuously.
6. Can I use a stovetop instead of a microwave?
Yes, melt the ingredients in a double boiler over simmering water for gentle, even heat.
7. Can I make heart-shaped fudge?
Yes, chill the fudge until firm, then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
8. Can I add liqueur for flavor?
Absolutely! Add a tablespoon of coffee or orange liqueur for a sophisticated twist.
9. How do I achieve even cuts?
Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water, wiping clean between each cut.
10. Can I make this fudge ahead of time?
Yes, fudge keeps well in the refrigerator, making it a great make-ahead dessert or gift.
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day fudge is an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing treat that’s perfect for celebrating love and friendship. With its creamy texture, rich flavor, and festive decorations, this fudge will quickly become a holiday favorite. Whether you’re gifting it to loved ones or indulging yourself, this sweet treat is sure to impress!
Print
Valentine’s Day Fudge
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Valentine’s Day Fudge is a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s as pretty as it is delicious. Made with sweetened condensed milk and white chocolate, it’s swirled with festive pink or red coloring and topped with sprinkles for the perfect Valentine’s Day flair.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (525g) white chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz/396g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Red or pink food coloring (gel works best)
- Valentine’s Day sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan:
- Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) square pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Melt the Chocolate and Milk:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Color the Fudge:
- Reserve ½ cup of the melted mixture in a separate bowl. Add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to the reserved portion and stir until evenly colored.
- Layer and Swirl:
- Pour the plain white fudge into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Drop small dollops of the colored fudge on top of the white layer. Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the colors together for a marbled effect.
- Add Sprinkles (Optional):
- Immediately sprinkle Valentine’s Day sprinkles over the top of the fudge while it’s still warm.
- Chill:
- Refrigerate the fudge for at least 2 hours, or until set.
- Cut and Serve:
- Once firm, lift the fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or heart shapes for a festive presentation.
Notes
- For a chocolate twist, substitute half of the white chocolate chips with milk or dark chocolate chips.
- Store fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Use different sprinkles and colors for other holidays or occasions.