Vanilla Walnut Fudge – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Creamy Vanilla Walnut Fudge is this year’s latest addition for your holiday dessert table. Paired with a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, a piece of fudge is one of my favorite ways to take a break during the holiday season.

If you’re lucky enough to nibble a piece of fudge in front of twinkling Christmas tree lights, that’s my idea of a perfect afternoon.

Vanilla Fudge

Continuing with the series of quick and easy fudge recipes, Vanilla Walnut Fudge comes together in about five minutes.

This fudge is creamy, sweet, and full of a vanilla flavor I can’t get enough of. Chopped walnuts add the perfect nutty dimension and crunchy texture to this smooth fudge. 

In a sea of milk chocolate and dark chocolate fudge options, vanilla makes for a delicious change. This recipe uses white chocolate bars or white chocolate chips melted with vanilla extract, butter, and sweetened condensed milk.

In just a few minutes, you can stir this vanilla fudge recipe together and have it chilling in the refrigerator. Within a couple of hours, your fudge will be firm enough to slice and serve.

If this is your first time making your own vanilla fudge, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is. No candy-making expertise is required!

How to Make Vanilla Fudge

This 5-minute fudge recipe is made in the microwave for extra ease and speed. Melt white chocolate with the butter and milk in the microwave, then stir in the walnuts and vanilla extract.

If you don’t have a microwave, you can also make this recipe by using the double-boiling method on the stove. It just takes a few more minutes to melt the white chocolate and butter than the microwave method.

After sprinkling more chopped walnuts on top of the fudge, the whole batch goes into the fridge to chill until set. Once the fudge is firm, slice it into squares, serve and enjoy!

The walnuts taste so good in this fudge, but you could also omit them if you’re looking for a nut-free fudge recipe. Try using this vanilla fudge as a canvas for exploring different mix-ins and add-ins, from dried fruit to bits of cookie or caramel.

Easy Fudge Recipes

There aren’t many holiday treats easier to make than homemade fudge. I love that I can make plenty of sweets to share while spending a minimal amount of time in the kitchen.

For more easy hassle-free treats to share with friends this holiday season, check out this Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge and the Dark Chocolate Almond Fudge. If you enjoy those you’re also likely to love Buckeye Fudge, a combination of peanut butter and chocolate inspired by the popular candy.

This Salted Caramel Pretzel Fudge is calling my name as is this Amaretto Fudge. Is it possible to have too many fudge recipes? I don’t think so.

This fudge keeps well in the fridge for a couple of weeks or in the freezer for about two months. I like to take a little time to make several batches of different flavors of fudge all at once to keep in the freezer.

Then anytime company comes around, I can pull delicious homemade fudge out to share. Making fudge ahead of time, also means I always have a treat to bring to a last-minute potluck or casual get-together. (In my experience, showing up to a party with a tray full of fudge means you’re suddenly everyone’s best friend!)

Store this fudge in an airtight container with the layers separated by parchment paper. If you do freeze it, make sure to bring it to room temperature before serving.

PLEASE NOTE: This recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk, not heavy cream, not half and half, nothing else will work. Trust me on this.

ALSO, it is crucial that you weigh the sweetened condensed milk or carefully measure out equal halves of the 14-ounce can. This recipe as written calls for HALF a can of sweetened condensed milk.

If you don’t want to measure carefully, just double the recipe and use the full can. I’ve doubled this recipe several times and never been upset to have extra fudge to pop in the fridge or freezer for later!

Kitchen Tip: I use this bowl and this spatula to make this recipe.

Vanilla Fudge Recipe

1. Combine the white chocolate, the milk, and the butter in a medium size glass bowl and heat in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir to combine and heat another 15 seconds. Stir and heat an additional 15 seconds, only if needed. There will still be a few pieces of unmelted chocolate in the bowl.
2. Stir until mostly smooth with just a few unmelted flecks of white chocolate. Add the vanilla extract and walnuts (reserving 2 tablespoons of walnuts) and stir to combine.
3. Scoop onto a parchment lined loaf pan. Spread with a spatula. Sprinkle with reserved walnut pieces. Chill until ready to serve.
4. Slice into 1-inch squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Fudge Making Tips

Choose your favorite white chocolate for vanilla fudge recipes. I typically use nestle white chocolate chips, but if I’m lucky enough to have Lindt white chocolate in the house, it’s a great choice.

Break the bars into pieces before heating. If you don’t happen to be a fan of white chocolate, this fudge works beautifully (and is equally tasty) when made with semi-sweet or dark chocolate.

This recipe doubles nicely and can be poured into an 8×8 pan. Slice into approximately 36 1-inch pieces. This fudge will keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Place the sliced pieces of fudge in an airtight container, separating multiple layers with parchment or wax paper. Alternatively, this fudge may also be frozen for up to two months. Thaw and serve from the refrigerator.

{originally published 11/12/17 – recipe notes and photos updated 12/17/21}

Vanilla lovers all agree that homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream is a must-try. You might also like Vanilla Bean Salted Caramel Sauce and these Miniature Vanilla Bean Cheesecakes with Almond Crust.