Hot Chocolate Fudge

This cozy, rich treat blends your wintertime drink flavors into a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth delight. When chocolate, Nutella, and marshmallow fluff come together, you'll get an amazing sweet that captures all the wonderful things about hot cocoa in a solid form.

I whipped this fudge up one winter when I needed something quick to give the neighbors. Those swirls of Nutella and marshmallow made me think of my favorite mug of cocoa with all the extras, and now everyone asks me to make it for them every single year.

What You'll Need

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: They give you that perfect mix of sweet and deep chocolate taste - grab good quality ones for the best smooth texture
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This gives you that classic fudgy feel without any complicated candy-making steps
• Vanilla Extract: Brings out the chocolate flavor with a bit of extra warmth
• Butter: Makes everything richer and smoother in texture
• Marshmallow Spread: Gives you that fluffy marshmallow topping feel - the jarred kind works best for swirling
• Nutella Spread: Adds that special nutty flavor that makes this fudge stand out from regular chocolate treats

Delicious Hot Chocolate Swirled Fudge Steps

Mix Your Base:

Put your chocolate chips and butter in a bowl that's safe for the microwave. Warm them up in 30-second bursts, giving it a good stir each time until it's all smooth and shiny. Taking your time here keeps the chocolate from clumping up or burning.

Mix Your Fudge:

Now add your vanilla and condensed milk to your melted chocolate mix. Stir it all together until you've got a thick, rich chocolate mixture. It should pour slowly but not be watery - kind of like cake mix.

Get Your Pan Ready:

Put parchment paper in a square pan, leaving extra hanging over the sides so you can lift it out later. Pour your chocolate mix in and use a spatula to spread it out evenly, making sure to get into all the corners.

Make It Pretty:

Drop spoonfuls of Nutella and marshmallow cream randomly on top. The warm fudge will make them softer and easier to work with. Take a toothpick or thin knife and make gentle figure-eights through the toppings to create pretty swirls without mixing them in completely.

Let It Set:

Put the whole thing in your fridge for at least 3 hours until it's totally firm. Don't rush this part - if you do, your fudge might be too soft and won't hold its shape when cut.

Cut and Enjoy:

When it's fully set, use the extra parchment paper to lift the fudge out. Cut it into squares with a sharp knife that you've run under hot water and dried - this trick helps you get nice clean cuts.

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The marshmallow swirls really turn this from just chocolate fudge into something special. The first time I brought this to a winter party, I loved watching people take a bite and suddenly smile as they tasted those familiar hot cocoa flavors. Those little pockets of marshmallow remind you of finding those half-melted bits floating in your mug.

Prep Ahead and Keep Fresh

This fudge actually gets better after sitting in the fridge for a day. The flavors blend together and the texture becomes just right - firm but still melts when you bite into it. Keep your cut pieces in a container that seals tightly with parchment paper between the layers so they don't stick together. They'll stay good in the fridge for two weeks, or you can freeze them for up to three months. If frozen, let them thaw overnight in the fridge before you serve them.

Try These Tasty Twists

You can play around with this basic recipe in lots of ways. Try milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet if you want something sweeter. White chocolate works great too, but you might want to use a bit less condensed milk. For some extra fun texture, mix tiny marshmallows into the fudge before it hardens, or sprinkle some crushed candy canes on top during the holidays. You can also try different spreads like cookie butter, peanut butter, or caramel instead of or along with the Nutella.

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Ways To Enjoy It

Put these fudge squares on a dessert plate with some shortbread cookies and fresh berries to make it look fancy. For a fun party idea, set out pieces of this fudge next to a hot chocolate bar so people can enjoy hot cocoa in two different ways. During the holidays, wrap single pieces in wax paper and put them in pretty boxes with a handwritten note for a thoughtful gift that friends and family will love.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap semi-sweet chips with milk chocolate?

Sure, but the fudge will taste a bit sweeter and less balanced.

→ What's the best way to store this?

Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for two weeks. Let it sit out a bit before serving if you prefer it softer.

→ Can I add extras or switch up the flavors?

Go for it! Try peanut butter, crushed candy canes, or sprinkle some sea salt for fun twists.

→ Do I have to use a microwave?

Nope, you can melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler on the stove if you want.

→ How do I keep the fudge from sticking?

Line the dish with parchment paper and leave some extra on the sides to lift it out easily.