Grandma’s Chocolate Fantasy Fudge – An Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

Grandma’s Chocolate Fantasy Fudge is a rich, decadent treat that is quick and easy to make. A small piece is all you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. For our family, it wasn’t Christmas without Grandma’s Chocolate Fantasy Fudge. It was one of her favorite recipes to make and share with family and friends.

Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

This Chocolate Fantasy Fudge has a rich chocolate flavor, so much so that a little piece is all you need. The pieces in our photos are a bit larger than Grandma would cut it. Hers would be small, almost bite-size pieces – perfect when you needed something sweet after a big family meal.

Grandma’s recipe called for nuts (walnuts were her go-to, but our mom says toasted pecans work too), but you can easily leave them out if you are on “Team No Nuts.” For a cheaper nut option, sub in slivered almonds, and no one will be the wiser that you saved yourself big bucks at the grocery store.

Grandma’s Chocolate Fantasy Fudge

The best part of Grandma’s foolproof fudge with marshmallow creme is the memories that making and eating it induces.

As I sit here and stir up this easy chocolate fudge on the stovetop, I remember my Grandma and Grandpa both in their eighties working together to whip up this tasty treat for Christmas. Now Grandpa wasn’t a regular participant in the kitchen, although he did crank the ice cream. But when it came to Grandma’s Fantasy Fudge with marshmallow creme, Grandpa was her sous chef.

The trick to making perfect chocolate fudge on the stovetop is to work quickly so it doesn’t set up before you pour it in the pan. The second trick is to never leave the fudge. I repeat, do not walk away. Continue to stir the fudge the entire time it’s cooking on the stove.

Fantasy Fudge with Marshmallow Cream

While we grew up thinking of this as Grandma’s Chocolate Fantasy Fudge, it originated off the back of the marshmallow creme jar! Some people call it fluff fudge. Isn’t that the case of many recipes of our childhood! However, Grandma was quite proud of this recipe and it made it into her collection of recipes that Barbara put together years ago (for more about this, read our pumpkin chiffon pie blog post).

Homemade Holiday Traditions

We love making up candy and cookies around Christmas time to deliver to family, friends, and neighbors. Growing up, it was a big tradition in our house to bake every weekend leading up to Christmas.  We would freeze the cookies until a few days before when Mom would stack the cookie tins all around the kitchen.

Then we would make up plates for everyone, including all of our Dad’s landlords.  As a farmer, the relationship our dad had with his landlords was a special bond.  Dad would go to each one and hand deliver the cookies and spend time chatting and catching up. We remember many trips where we, as children, tagged along to entertain with dances and cartwheels.

Looking for other holiday recipes?  Try our Dainty Logs, Caramel Puff Corn, Cinnamon Glazed Nuts, Chocolate Nut Cookies, or Caramel Corn recipes.

Ingredients for Chocolate Fudge

• Granulated Sugar
• Margarine
• Evaporated Milk
• Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
• Marshmallow Creme
• Chopped Walnuts
• Vanilla Extract

How to Make Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

Step by Step Instructions

1. Line a 13×9-inch pan with aluminum foil (or parchment paper) and grease generously.
2. Using a medium saucepan on medium heat, stir together sugar, margarine and evaporated milk. A wooden spoon works well.
3. Bring to a rolling boil while stirring constantly. Let boil for 5 minutes while still stirring.
4. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until completely melted.
5. Add marshmallow creme, nuts and vanilla, and stir until incorporated.
6. Quickly pour into prepared pan and smooth into even layer.
7. Cool completely before cutting.

Storage Instructions

Store in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature.

Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full recipe for old fashioned fantasy fudge.

Recipe FAQs

• This can be a Fantasy Fudge with Nuts or a Fantasy Fudge without Nuts.  Leave ’em or take ’em, your choice.
• Walnuts can be substituted for toasted pecans or slivered almonds.
• To make it decorative, top with holiday sprinkles after pouring into the prepared pan.
• Love sweet and salty? Sprinkle with sea salt before it sets.
• Do not walk away from this fudge while cooking on the stove top.  No multi-tasking!  Keep stirring the entire time.
• Work quickly once the 5 minute boil step is over; you don’t want the fudge to set up in the saucepan.

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage?

The fudge mixture should be boiled for about 5 minutes to reach the soft ball stage. This will ensure that the fudge sets properly and has the desired texture.

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening?

It’s crucial to make sure your fudge reaches the right temperature while boiling. It’s also important to let it cool completely before cutting. If it’s still not setting, refrigerate it for a while to help it firm up.

How do you make fudge soft again?

To make fudge soft again, you can place it in a microwave-safe container and heat it for a few seconds at a time, checking and stirring in between until it reaches the desired softness. Alternatively, you can place the fudge in an airtight container with a slice of bread, and the moisture from the bread will help soften the fudge.

Old Fashioned Christmas Candy Recipes

Caramel Puff Corn 

Grandma’s Caramel Corn

Cinnamon Glazed Nuts

Candied Peanuts