Fantasy Fudge
Last Updated on September 5, 2023 by Annie
Fluffy, fudgy, and decadently dairy-free, the classic Fantasy Fudge recipe gets a dairy-free upgrade in this version of dairy-free fudge. Made with six ingredients, this holiday classic recipe for fudge comes together in just 30 minutes.
A family tradition
Growing up, my parents always made dessert plates for our teachers at Christmas. They whipped up the creamiest traditional fudge and dipped pretzels into white and milk chocolate. These treats filled plates adorned with red and green plastic wrap and fresh bows on top.
I loved watching my parents work together in the kitchen to make the fudge. One stirred while the other kept an eye on the candy thermometer. When we were old enough, they let my sisters and me dip the pretzels in chocolate and sprinkle them with red and green sprinkles.
Making fudge, watching White Christmas, and making cookies for Santa are among my favorite holiday traditions.
The tradition continues
Right after Jason and I married, I wanted to continue my family’s tradition of making fudge for others but I couldn’t remember the recipe. Since I had only been a watcher and pretzel dipper, I called my parents for help. They listed off the ingredients and steps for making the fudge. After furiously writing it all down, we procured the ingredients and began to make the fudge.
Two minutes into the process, while waiting to plop the Jet Puff Marshmallow Fluff into the sauce pan Jason asks, “Annie, is this your family recipe?”, thrusting the jar in my face.
He then spent a minute comparing my family recipe (which we had scrawled on a notepad) to the Fantasy Fudge on the jar only to find they were identical! I quickly replied, “they are not the same because my family recipe is always made with love, and I don’t see that on the jar!”
On the lighter side
This story reminds me of one of my favorite episodes of Friends. Pheobe tells Monica that she will gift her, her grandmother’s chocolate chip cookie recipe only to realize they lost the recipe in her apartment fire. Monica goes on a quest to recreate the recipe, making hundreds of batches to test. After a fruitless endeavor, Pheobe says she thinks it came from someone on the French side of her family named, “Nestlay Toulouse” prompting Monica to grab a bag of chocolate chips, toss them to Pheobe and ask, “is this the recipe?!?”
Dairy Free Changes to Fantasy Fudge
Three main changes to the traditional Fantasy Fudge recipe make this a dairy-free dessert.
- Use vegan butter in place of margarine. I like using Country Crock’s plant-based butter sticks.
- Evaporated coconut milk instead of regular evaporated milk.
- Dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips keep this a deliciously dairy-free treat. Here are a few different chocolate chips I have used and like:
- Enjoy Life
- Nestle Tollhouse
How to Make Fantasy Fudge
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Sugar
- Plant-Based Butter
- Evaporated Coconut Milk
- Dairy-Free Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- Marshmallow Creme
- Vanilla
Step-By-Step Directions for Dairy-Free Fantasy Fudge
- In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, whisk together sugar, vegan butter, and evaporated coconut milk.
- Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil (234°F) and boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove the sauce pan from heat and stir in chocolate chips until they are melted.
- Next, stir in marshmallow fluff and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour into a prepared 8X8 pan, I like to line the dish with plastic wrap or parchment paper.
- Place the pan in the freezer and allow fudge to set for about 2 hours.
- Once set, remove from pan, cut into cubes and enjoy!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
When you are ready to whip up a batch of this dairy-free Fantasy Fudge, here are some kitchen tools you might find helpful to have with you.
- Candy Thermometer– Helpful for checking the temperature of the fudge while you bring it to a boil.
- 8×8-inch Square Baking Dish– Used to make thick squares of fudge.
- Evaporated Coconut Milk- You might need to order a case of this in advance of the holidays to ensure you are ready for all of the holiday baking.
Pro-Tips for Dairy Free Fudge
- Get your ingredients out and ready before you begin. Then, pre-open all of your ingredients.
- Use a candy thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of the fudge.
- Allow the sugar, vegan butter, and evaporated coconut milk to reach 234°F for roughly 5 minutes.
- Cover the dish with parchment paper or plastic wrap for easy removal when the fudge sets.
More Fudge Recipes to Make Next
If you tried this dairy-free Fantasy Fudge recipe feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!
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Fantasy Fudge
This decadently delicious, dairy free fantasy fudge is absolutely out of this world. The quick recipe makes the perfect treat to share around the holidays.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Sugar
- ¾ cup Vegan Butter
- ⅔ cup Evaporated Coconut Milk
- 12 ounces Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- 7 ounces Marshmallow Creme
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
Instructions
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In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, whisk together 3 cups sugar, ¾ cup vegan butter, and ⅔ cup evaporated coconut milk.
-
Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil (234°F) and boil for 5 minutes.
-
Remove the sauce pan from heat and stir in 12 ounces chocolate chips until they are melted.
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Next, stir in 7 ounces marshmallow fluff and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Pour into a prepared* 8X8 pan.
-
Place the pan in the freezer and allow fudge to set for about 2 hours.
-
Once set, remove from pan, cut into cubes and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*You can prepare the pan by covering it with plastic wrap, parchment paper, or simply grease the pan.
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