Paula Deen’s 5-Minute Fudge – A Fast, Foolproof, Crowd-Pleaser 🍫✨

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Paula Deen’s 5-Minute Fudge – A Fast, Foolproof, Crowd-Pleaser 🍫✨

If you love quick desserts that taste like you spent all day in the kitchen, don’t lose this recipe! Paula Deen’s famous 5-Minute Fudge is one of those treasures you make once… and then your family asks for it every holiday, every birthday, every gathering. It’s creamy, chocolatey, rich, and honestly dangerously easy. One pot, one stir, and boom—perfect fudge every single time.

I always laugh because the first time I made this, I thought, “There’s no way something this simple can be THIS good.”
But by the next day, half the pan was magically gone… and it wasn’t me, I swear! 😂
It’s now one of those recipes I hide before company arrives, otherwise I won’t have anything left to serve.

Whether you need a last-minute dessert, a homemade edible gift, or just a sweet treat to stash in the fridge, this fudge never fails. It’s great for Christmas tins, potlucks, bake sales, gifting to neighbors, or just eating straight from the pan—no judgment here.

⭐ Why This Recipe Works

Only 5 minutes of cooking (yes, really!)

No candy thermometer, no special equipment

Perfect texture: smooth, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth

Customizable with nuts, marshmallows, peanut butter, or toppings

Budget-friendly and uses simple pantry ingredients

This is classic Southern comfort-sweetness at its finest.

📝 Ingredients

1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar

½ cup evaporated milk

½ cup unsalted butter

¼ teaspoon salt

1 (6 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup mini marshmallows

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional but delicious!)

🍫 How to Make Paula Deen’s 5-Minute Fudge

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  3. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips, marshmallows, and vanilla.
  4. Stir until everything melts and becomes silky smooth.
  5. Fold in nuts (optional).
  6. Pour into a greased or parchment-lined 8×8 pan.
  7. Let cool, slice, and enjoy!

TIP: For the cleanest slices, refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting.

🍬 Variations You Will Love

Rocky Road Fudge: Add extra marshmallows + almonds

Peanut Butter Swirl: Drop warm PB on top and swirl with a knife

Holiday Version: Add crushed candy canes

Salted Fudge: Sprinkle flaky salt on top

White Chocolate Twist: Substitute half the chocolate for white chips

🎁 Perfect for Holidays & Gifting

This fudge stays fresh for a week in an airtight container and freezes beautifully. Wrap pieces in parchment or place in small gift bags for an inexpensive, thoughtful treat.

💬 Before You Go…

If you want me to keep posting these easy, delicious recipes, drop a “YUMMY 😋” or a heart below ❤️
Your engagement helps more than you know, and I appreciate every single one of you!

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