Quick Maple Fudge: 3 Ingredients to Fall Bliss

I’ll never forget the first time I made fudge—I was terrified of candy thermometers and thought I’d somehow mess up the entire batch. But this easy maple fudge recipe changed everything for me! With just three ingredients and absolutely no candy thermometer required, you’ll have silky-smooth, melt-in-your-mouth fudge that tastes like fall wrapped up in every bite. I make huge batches every Thanksgiving and package them in little boxes as hostess gifts. Trust me, your friends and family will be begging for the recipe!

Prep Time	5 minutes
Set Time	2 hours
Total Time	2 hours 5 minutes
Servings	24 pieces
Difficulty	Beginner-friendly
Calories	~110 per piece (est.)

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How To Make Easy Maple Fudge Recipe

A. Essential Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need for this quick fudge recipe:

• 8×8 inch baking pan
• Microwave-safe bowl (medium to large)
• Parchment paper
• Rubber spatula
• Sharp knife for cutting

B. Ingredients (with Substitution Table)

• 3 cups white chocolate chips (about 18 oz)
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons pure maple extract

Ingredient	Substitution	Note
White chocolate chips	High-quality white chocolate bar, chopped	Better flavor, slightly pricier
Sweetened condensed milk	Full-fat coconut condensed milk	Works for dairy-free version
Pure maple extract	1 tsp maple extract + 1 tsp vanilla	Still delicious!
Pure maple extract	Real maple syrup (¼ cup, reduce milk to ¾ cup)	More authentic but trickier consistency

C. Instructions

1. Line your 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, letting it hang over the sides for easy removal later. I like to spray it lightly with cooking spray—this makes cleanup a breeze!
2. In your microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute, then stir. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals at 50% power, stirring between each interval, until completely smooth and melted. This usually takes me about 2-3 minutes total. Don’t rush this step—low and slow prevents burning!
3. Once your mixture is silky smooth, quickly stir in the maple extract. You’ll immediately smell that gorgeous fall aroma filling your kitchen! Mix thoroughly so the flavor distributes evenly.
4. Pour the fudge mixture into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with your spatula. It should look glossy and smooth—absolutely beautiful!
5. Let it set at room temperature for about 2 hours, or pop it in the fridge for 1 hour if you’re impatient like me. The fudge is ready when it’s firm to the touch and doesn’t leave an indent when you press it gently.
6. Once set, lift the parchment paper to remove the fudge from the pan. Cut into 24 squares using a sharp knife. For the cleanest cuts, wipe your knife between slices!

Tips & Notes for Success

Baking Tips

• Use real maple extract, not imitation—trust me on this one! The flavor difference is night and day. I learned this the hard way after making a batch with imitation extract for a bake sale.
• Keep your microwave at 50% power to prevent the white chocolate from seizing. I’ve scorched more than one batch by rushing this step!
• Line your pan before you start—once the fudge is mixed, it sets quickly, and you don’t want to scramble for parchment paper.
• Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate for up to a month. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months!

Troubleshooting

• Fudge won’t set? You may have overheated the chocolate or not mixed it thoroughly. Pop it in the fridge for a few hours—it should firm up.
• Grainy texture? The white chocolate got too hot and seized. Use lower power and stir more frequently next time.
• Too soft to cut? Chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting. Sometimes room temperature isn’t quite cool enough, especially in warmer climates.
• Not enough maple flavor? Add an extra ½ teaspoon of extract next time. Some brands are weaker than others!

Variations

• Maple Pecan Fudge: Fold in 1 cup of toasted, chopped pecans before pouring into the pan. The crunch is absolutely divine!
• Salted Maple Fudge: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before it sets. The sweet-salty combo is addictive—I swear by this technique!
• Maple Walnut Fudge: Use walnuts instead of pecans for a more traditional flavor.
• Double Maple: Replace 2 tablespoons of the condensed milk with real maple syrup for even more intense maple flavor. Fair warning: this makes the texture slightly softer but OH so good!
• Chocolate Swirl: Melt 2 oz of semi-sweet chocolate and swirl it through the maple fudge before setting. Use a toothpick for pretty patterns!

More Quick Dessert Recipes

If you loved this microwave fudge recipe, you’ll want to try these other quick treats:

• 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Dump Cake
• 4 Ingredients Healthy Apple Crisp with Oats
• 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
• 5 Guilt-Free Cookies You Can Make in 10 Min

Conclusion

This 3-ingredient fudge proves you don’t need fancy equipment or complicated techniques to make impressive homemade candy! After years of testing, I’ve found this recipe is absolutely foolproof—even on my worst baking days, this never fails me. Your kitchen will smell like heaven, and everyone will think you spent hours in the kitchen. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

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