Creamy Chocolate Fudge (new easier version!)

vegan, gluten-free, soy-free

Adapted from a recipe by Namely Marly.

My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me, and I am completely sold on it! I used to make a delicious fudge that had powdered sugar in it and required using an electric mixer, but this recipe is so much easier than that, and I think it even tastes better, somehow denser and more "fudge-y" with a firm set. It's still silky, creamy, and rich. The winning ingredient here is a dairy-free version of sweetened condensed milk! My old go-to recipe used canned coconut milk, which provided creaminess, but the fudge would get soft when left out at room temperature. My old recipe also took 8 hours to set. This new product provides creaminess and helps the fudge achieve a firm set in only an hour or two. Score!

Yield: about 24 fudge cubes/ Prep time: 10 min / Inactive time: 1-2 hours

Ingredients:​

• 3 cups (510 g) dairy-free chocolate chips
• 14.8 oz (420 g) vegan sweetened condensed milk*
• 2 teaspoons (8 g) vanilla extract​
• 3/4 cup (37 g) chopped nuts, optional

Directions:

1. Line an 8-inch square** or rectangular baking dish with waxed paper, allowing the paper to extend beyond two opposite ends.
2. Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Add the vegan sweetened condensed milk. Stir to make sure the chocolate chips are coated. Heat for one minute in the microwave. Remove from the microwave and place a lid over the bowl for one minute, to allow the chocolate to melt. Stir until creamy.
3. Add the vanilla and optional chopped nuts, and stir to combine.
4. Pour the fudge batter into the prepared baking dish, and decorate the top with extra nuts, if desired. Cover and chill for 1 – 2 hours until the chocolate is set.
5. Once set, lift the fudge by the waxed paper out of the dish. Remove the waxed paper from the chocolate and cut into square pieces.***

*Vegan sweetened condensed milk is becoming more widely available. Look for it in health food stores, the baking section of a well-stocked grocery, or online. Or make your own (I haven't tried this, but it looks simple enough): https://namelymarly.com/make-vegan-sweetened-condensed-milk/
​**You want the fudge to be nice and tall, which means using a smaller pan.
***This fudge will stay fresh on the counter for up to a week if you keep it covered. It will last longer in the fridge, 2 – 3 weeks. And you can even freeze it for a few months.