This Hot Cocoa Fudge is delicious, easy, and just five ingredients! This fudge actually tastes like hot chocolate and would make the perfect holiday gift.
Fudge is one of my favorite treats to make. It is so incredibly easy and there are so many different things you can do with it. This Hot Cocoa Fudge is a simple spin on my classic easy fudge recipe. It uses both melted chocolate and cocoa powder to give you a real hot cocoa taste. Then you top it with marshmallow bits, and you have an adorable and delicious Hot Cocoa Fudge!
Easy Fudge Recipe
How to Make Hot Cocoa Fudge
This is a brief overview of how to make this delicious fudge recipe. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Combine the sweetened condensed milk and cocoa powder. Whisk them together in a sauce pan over medium low heat.
- Stir in the chocolate chips. Allow them to melt being careful not to overheat the chocolate. It should be smooth, and if it begins to turn grainy the heat was too high or it was cooked too long. Add the vanilla extract.
- Pour the mixture into the pan. Press the marshmallow bits into the fudge. Allow the fudge to set completely before cutting.
Tips and Tricks
- Keep the heat on the chocolate low. Fudge tends to not work out when the chocolate gets overheated. If your chocolate is overheated, it will turn grainy.
- Use hot cocoa mix. If you have it on hand, you can swap the cocoa powder for actual cocoa mix. It will work great in this.
- Use mini marshmallows. If you can’t find the marshmallow bits, you can top with mini marshmallows, but you will only need about half a cup.
- Double check that you have sweetened condensed milk. Evaporated milk is sold right next to the sweetened condensed milk and one is easily mistaken for the other. Evaporated milk will absolutely not work in this recipe.
Marshmallow Bits
Storing
Store Hot Cocoa Fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. This fudge freezes really well. You can freeze it in a single layer for two hours and then transfer it to an airtight container that can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
More Fudge Recipes to Love
If you make this chocolate fudge recipe or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you.
Hot Cocoa Fudge
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups milk chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup marshmallow bits
Instructions
- Line a 9 by 9 inch pan with aluminum foil.
- Over medium low heat, add the sweetened condensed milk to a small saucepan. Whisk in the cocoa powder.14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- Lower the heat a little, and stir in the chocolate chips. Stir consistently until well combined. You are looking for the chocolate chips to be just melted. Be careful not to overheat. Stir in the vanilla extract.3 cups milk chocolate chips, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pour into the pan, and add the marshmallow bits, gently pressing them into the fudge. (You may not need all of them.)1 cup marshmallow bits
- Refrigerate for at least four hours, covered, before removing the fudge from the pan by lifting the aluminum foil, peeling it off the fudge, and cutting the fudge to serve.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Cheryl Newton says
This would make a great addition to Christmas goodie plates for the neighbors. But just to clarify: do you mean unsweetened baking cocoa powder or hot cocoa mix? I’m guessing the former, because I have a feeling you would explain if you thought there was any chance there were an over-analyzer (guilty!) among your followers. But then again, it is called “Hot Cocoa Fudge.”
Cynthia says
Will chocolate candy melts work for this recipe??
Cynthia, I would assume that candy melts would work fine, though I can’t really say for certain since I’ve never used them for fudge.
Cheryl Newton says
This would make a great addition to Christmas goodie plates for the neighbors. But just to clarify: do you mean unsweetened baking cocoa powder or hot cocoa mix? I’m guessing the former, because I have a feeling you would explain if you thought there was any chance there were an over-analyzer (guilty!) among your followers. But then again, it is called “Hot Cocoa Fudge.”
GAH! Cheryl, I’m sos sorry! I saw your comment and then it got lost in the madness of December. Yes! it is unsweetened baking cocoa powder. I hope you like the fudge!
Cheryl Newton says
Muchas gracias, Lisa. Now I can add this delish (haven’t made it yet, but — come on — chocolate topped with those adorable teeny marshmallows) fudge to my out-of-control recipe collection. Have a blessed season!
Marion says
Lisa, may I respectfully suggest that you edit your original recipe to make it clearer that the cocoa powder is the unsweetened kind? I had to scroll through many comments to find this information. Thank you!
Done :)
Mikayla says
This is an awesome recipe, but I seem to be doing something wrong… Even after I let it set in the fridge for more than 4 hours, it came out all gooey and wet! Did I miss something..?
Oh no Mikayla! I’m so sorry! I hate the idea of a recipe not working for a reader. I looked at the recipe again, and it is all correct, I’m not sure what to say! If you followed the recipe to the letter, it should work.
Trish says
Do I have to cut the fudge immediately after I pull it out of the fridge or can I store the whole fudge until Christmas to cut?
You can store it :) No need to cut it right away.
Karen joslyn says
hot cocoa fudge trned out absolutely terrific! Took it to work and it vanished!! am looking forward to making a batch to put in with the cookies i will send to a friend!! Thanks soo much for this one!!
I’m so glad you liked it Karen!
Hayley says
Can this fudge recipe be frozen?
Amy says
I’m curious, does this fudge recipe taste different than chocolate – marshmallow fudge? Thanks!
Yes, it tastes more like a cup of hot cocoa.