Pile of brown sugar fudge on a square white plate on a red and white towel (with logo overlay)

Brown Sugar Fudge – Only 5 Ingredients

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5 ingredients come together to make delectable brown sugar fudge. It’s perfect for the holidays or to indulge a sweet tooth.

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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 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.

Brown Sugar Fudge Step by Step

Ingredients

  • 8 tbsp butter (salted)
  • 3 cups brown sugar
  • 5 oz evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Ingredients for brown sugar fudge in stainless steel bowls on a white wooden surface: brown sugar, evaporated milk, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and butter

Preparation

Line a 2.5 quart baking dish with parchment paper.

In a medium saucepan, over 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).

Butter and brown sugar boiling in a saucepan with a candy thermometer in it on a white wooden surface

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. If you want to use your stand mixer like I did set it to the stir setting.

Fudge mixture in a stainless steel bowl on a white wooden surface

Pour the fudge into the prepared baking dish. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Brown sugar fudge in a parchment-paper lined white casserole dish on a white wooden surface

Use the parchment paper to remove the brown sugar fudge from the pan. Cut into one-inch square pieces.

Woman's hand grabbing a single piece of brown sugar fudge from a pile of fudge on a white plate on top of a red and white placemat on a wooden surface (vertical)

Leftovers

Place the brown sugar fudge in airtight containers. 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 27, 2023

Pile of brown sugar fudge on a square white plate on a red and white towel

Brown Sugar Fudge

5 ingredients come together to make delectable brown sugar fudge. It's perfect for the holidays or to indulge a sweet tooth.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Keyword:
brown sugar
|
fudge
Dietary Needs:
Egg-Free
|
Gluten-Free
|
Nut-Free
Servings: 30 pieces
5 from 11 votes

Ingredients

  • 8 tbsp butter (salted)
  • 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 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
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Nutrition Facts
Brown Sugar Fudge
Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 121 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 38mg2%
Potassium 44mg1%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 106IU2%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 32mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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.

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25 thoughts on “Brown Sugar Fudge – Only 5 Ingredients”

  3. Beth

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  5. Jess

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    1. Stephanie

      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.

      Reply
  14. Melanie E

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  16. Bryan

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

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