5 ingredients come together to make delectable brown sugar fudge. It’s perfect for the holidays or to indulge a sweet tooth.
Fudge is probably one of the most overlooked dessert recipes. It’s much easier than it seems, and usually only requires a few ingredients. There are so many ways to make fudge and so many flavors. While we’ve been trying a lot recently, this brown sugar fudge has been one of my favorites.
Brown sugar is a great combination of the sweet goodness of white sugar (yes, I have a massive sweet tooth) and the grounding flavor of molasses. Combine that with the thickness of evaporated milk plus some vanilla and powdered sugar all in melted butter and you have fudge!
The minimum required for traditional fudge is sugar, butter, and some type of milk. After that, you can add any flavors you want to the mixture or to the top. We’ve made a variety of flavors this year, including Butter-Pecan Fudge, Double Chocolate Fudge, and Treacle Fudge. They are all unique because of the added ingredients.
This easy old-fashioned fudge recipe would make a delicious gift for friends and neighbors during the holiday season.
Brown Sugar Fudge Step by Step
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp salted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 3 cups brown sugar
- 5 oz evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Preparation
Line a 2.5 quart baking dish with parchment paper on the bottom of the pan and a 2-inch overhang on at least two of the sides.
In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and evaporated milk. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture begins to boil and reaches 240F on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage).
Remove from the heat and pour into a mixing bowl. Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Mix with an electric mixer on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, about 3-5 minutes. If you want to use your stand mixer like I did set it to the stir setting.
Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan and try to pop any bubbles on top of the fudge. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Use the parchment paper to remove the whole thing of brown sugar fudge from the pan. Cut the fudge into one-inch square pieces.
Brown Sugar Fudge Leftovers
Storage: Place the brown sugar fudge in an airtight container. If you live in a warm and humid climate like we do, you’ll want to store this in the refrigerator. Otherwise, it can be left on the counter in its container.
Recipe
Originally Published On: November 27, 2020
Last Updated On: July 9, 2024
Brown Sugar Fudge
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp salted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 3 cups brown sugar
- 5 oz evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Line a 2.5 quart baking dish with parchment paper
- In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter
- Add the brown sugar and evaporated milk
- Stir constantly until the mixture begins to boil and reaches 240F on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage)
- Remove from the heat and pour into a mixing bowl
- Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar
- Mix with an electric mixer on low until the sugar is incorporated, about 3-5 minutes
- Pour the fudge into the prepared baking dish
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes
- Use the parchment paper to remove the brown sugar fudge from the pan
- Cut into one-inch square pieces
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Other Fudge Recipes
- Hagrid’s Soft and Sweet Treacle Fudge Recipe
- Butter-Pecan Fudge
- Brown Sugar Fudge – Only 5 Ingredients
- Double Chocolate Fudge
- Delicious Chocolate and Marshmallow Fudge Recipe
Christmas Recipes
- Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Vegan Eggnog in the Blender
- Traditional Christmas Sweets from Around the World
- Christmas 2017 Recap + Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe 2 Ways
- Peppermint Punch
- The Best Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe
- Christmas Morning Sunrise Cocktail
- Bread Pudding in the Slow Cooker
- Ranch Snowman Spread
- Brown Sugar Fudge – Only 5 Ingredients
- Spiked Hot Apple Cider
- Creme de Menthe Drink Recipes for Christmas Time
- White Chocolate Blondies with Peppermint
- Christmas Sandwiches: A Family Holiday Tradition
- Cranberry Sauce Leftovers in Mini Jell-O Cups
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Peppermint Chocolate Ganache Thumbprint Cookies
- Coquito aka Puerto Rican Eggnog
- Homemade Dinner Mints
- Vegan Hot Chocolate without Milk in the Slow Cooker
- How to Make an Easy Holiday Hot Chocolate Board
- Christmas Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Board Ideas
- Delicious Chocolate and Marshmallow Fudge Recipe
I’m not usually a big fudge eater but I love anything brown sugar! I may try this 🙂
Yes! Brown sugar is the best 🙂
I love anything that only has a few ingredients and this fudge looks delicious.
The fewer the ingredients, the better! It usually means less clean-up, too 🙂
My sons ate the first batch so quickly I didn’t even get a taste! I hid some after the second batch and it really is delicious!
My boys have done that to me before, too!
So indulgent and delicious! We will definitely be making this again!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, we have made it a few times, too 🙂
I always avoided making fudge because I thought it was super complicated. You have taught me otherwise! Will be making this all year long from now on!
I did for a long time, too. Now I’ve made a few different types and it’s much easier than you’d think! Especially if you have a candy thermometer.
Looks like you and I have the same sweet tooth. This brown sugar fudge is awesome!
Ugh, that sweet tooth can be so hard sometimes!
This sounds divine. As a fudge and brown sugar lover, I can’t think of anything sweeter! 😉 Can’t wait to try these out since it’s so simple!
I can’t wait to do your recipe, I love fudge but never tried to make it at home. So good….
I never knew brown sugar fudge was a thing. I would definitely like to try this type of fudge out soon.
I have tons of brown sugar in the pantry, so I’m excited to try this fudge recipe! 🙂
Holy cow, that looks good! It feels like giant squares of caramel almost. I have to make this.
I love anything made with brown sugar. This fudge looks very tasty.
This is interesting, I never tried the sugar fudge before. I will try to get it. Thank you for this yummy recipe!
I’ve been wanting to make fudge with my daughters for a while. They do love fudge and it would be great to teach them how to make it.
Wow, this is only with 5 ingredients? That’s easy and amazing. I would love to try it.
I love fudge and always will. Like you said, it doesn’t get the talk that it once did. In the past, it was more commonplace. I can remember my grandma making a plate of fudge to serve her grandkids. It was always something to look forward to when we visited.
Ooohhhh….alright then. I hope it can do a similar job to the original crystalline sugar, in my tea. Thanks for sharing about it.
Woah, i didn’t know that it was this easy to make fudge! I wanna run to the grocery and then give this recipe a try!
I’m not a fan of sweet dishes but this one looks good to me. I may try once.