This fudge tastes like a candy bar in fudge form. The fudge needs just 3 ingredients and is easy to make. You don’t need a candy thermometer and you don’t need to hover over a stove to make it. The fudge stores well and is also great for gifting. You can also customize it.
This fudge really does taste like a candy bar. It contains crunchy nuts, chewy caramel and chocolate. And it also is still rich, creamy and smooth like fudge.
Ingredients
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Caramel topping
- Peanuts
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are melted down to create the base for this fudge.
Caramel topping: Caramel topping adds the chewy caramel texture that you usually find in candy bars. Make sure to use caramel topping and not caramel syrup. Caramel topping is a thick caramel sauce that contains dairy and is used for ice cream topping. It is usually sold in glass jars. Make sure you don’t use a thin caramel sauce like the type that comes in squeeze bottles. That type of caramel will be too thin and the fudge won’t set.
Peanuts: I used salted roasted peanuts but you can use other nuts like almonds or cashews. You can also use other add-ins such as shredded coconut or dried fruit.
How to Make Candy Bar Fudge
- Combine the chocolate chips and caramel topping into a large microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-30 second intervals, stirring in between with a spatula, until you have a smooth thick mixture. Then stir in the chopped peanuts.
- Transfer the fudge to a parchment lined loaf pan. Place into the freezer until set.
- Let the fudge come to room temperature before cutting and serving.
Expert Tips
- This recipe uses caramel topping and not caramel syrup. Caramel topping is labeled caramel topping and is usually used for an ice cream topping and found near ice cream or ice cream cones at the grocery store. Caramel topping will ensure that your fudge has a chewy caramel texture like the inside of a candy bar.
- Don’t use white chocolate for the base of this fudge because the fudge will not set.
- You can add other mix-ins if you prefer other mix-ins in your candy bars. I chose peanuts since that is what is used in many candy bars.
- You need to work quickly to stir in the add-ins once the chocolate is melted and smooth because the mixture will turn very thick as it starts to cool.
More Fudge Recipes
3 Ingredient Candy Bar Fudge
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (263 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips see note
- 3.5 fl oz (103 ml) caramel topping see note
- 1/4 cup (32 g) roasted salted peanuts, roughly chopped plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Line an 8 inch x 4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Add chocolate chips and caramel topping to a large microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat in 15-30 second intervals, stirring in between with a spatula until chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and uniform in color. You can also melt the chocolate mixture on the stove using the double boiler method. Working quickly, stir in the peanuts until they are evenly distributed and then quickly transfer your fudge into the prepared loaf pan. You do want to work quickly because the fudge gets very thick as it cools which will make it difficult to stir in the nuts or transfer the mixture.
- Use your spatula to spread the fudge mixture and smooth the surface. If desired you can sprinkle the surface with additional chopped peanuts for garnish. Place the fudge into the freezer until set. This should only take about 30 minutes. Bring the fudge back to room temperature before cutting and serving with a large sharp knife. You can drizzle the fudge with some additional heated caramel topping right before serving if desired. Uneaten fudge can be stored in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- Caramel topping note: Make sure you use caramel topping and not caramel sauce. Caramel topping is usually sold in jars as an ice cream topping and is labeled "caramel topping." Do not use the type of caramel sauce that comes in squeeze bottles because that will not be thick enough for this recipe.
- I used Smucker's Caramel topping. (Target | Walmart)* I've also made it with Smucker's salted caramel topping.
- *These product links are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
- Chocolate chips note: Avoid using chocolate chips that don't contain dairy or don't have a dairy substitute added (such as Enjoy Life brand). Those types of chocolate chips will not work well for this fudge recipe.
- You can replace peanuts with other nuts or other mix-ins.
- The fudge needs to come to room temperature before eating.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
