Sweet, creamy, and oh-so-chocolatey, this Dairy-Free Fudge is as melt-in-your-mouth delicious as the original. Made with just 5 simple ingredients and less than 15 minutes of active time, my vegan fudge recipe is always a favorite addition to my Christmas cookie plates!
Ingredients
My non-dairy fudge requires just a few simple ingredients:
- Canned vegan sweetened condensed milk - Feel free to use either coconut or oat-based condensed milk — they’re both delicious!
- Dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips - If you can’t find chocolate chips, swap in chopped-up dairy-free chocolate bars.
- Vegan butter - If possible, reach for any brand labeled “cultured” for the best flavor. This means it has been treated with bacteria like yogurt, so it has a more complex, fuller, and slightly tangier taste. Yum!
- Fine salt - The best desserts are ones that balance sweet and salty! If you are using a different type of salt, use a conversion chart to ensure proper measurement.
- Vanilla extract - You can also use an equal amount of vanilla paste if you prefer!
Are semi-sweet chocolate chips dairy-free?
Not all semi-sweet chocolate is dairy-free, so it’s important to read your labels! I typically reach for Enjoy Life or Everland Dark Chocolate Chips because they’re the easiest to find. If you want to try others, here’s a pretty comprehensive list from Veg Out magazine.
You can also chop up any dairy-free (or vegan) chocolate bars instead.
How To Make Dairy-Free Fudge
This delightfully simple oat or coconut milk fudge recipe comes together with just 10 minutes of prep. Here’s how:
Step 1: Prep. Lightly grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan and line it with parchment paper, allowing the excess parchment paper to hang over the sides.
Step 2: Melt. In a double boiler or a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, combine the condensed milk, chocolate chips, vegan butter, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir until all the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth.
Step 3: Chill. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with a spatula and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Step 4: Cut & serve. Once chilled, use the parchment paper to lift the fudge out of the pan and slice it into squares. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Make sure to have all four sides covered with parchment paper, and leave enough for an overhang. This will help you get the fudge out easily and in one piece!
- If your parchment paper isn’t behaving, crumple it up into a little ball, then flatten it back out. The extra crinkles will keep it from rolling back up on itself. Also, you can always use binder clips to keep it out of the way while you’re pouring the fudge in.
- Chill time is important, not just for mental health but also for the fudge to set up. 😉
- Heat your knife by running it under hot water and wiping it dry to help get super clean edges.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Dairy-free fudge will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To use, defrost overnight in the fridge, then enjoy!
FAQs
Oh boy, does it ever. The fudge of my youth was basically all butter! Luckily, this dairy-free version is super rich, chocolatey, and delicious, just the way fudge should be.
No, marshmallows are dairy-free. However, marshmallows usually contain either gelatin, egg whites, or both, which means they are not vegan. If that’s not a concern for you, feel free to add chopped or mini marshmallows and chopped toasted nuts to make dairy-free rocky road fudge.
Sure, but you can also make it nearly as easily as buying it with this easy recipe!
More Holiday Desserts
- These gluten-free Christmas cookies are soft, chewy, and easy to make!
- If you love gingersnaps, try these chewy gluten-free ginger cookies.
- My gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are hands down my favorite cookies. They're soft and chewy with crisp edges - perfect cookie texture!
- These coconut macaroons are the easiest to make, only requiring 2 ingredients!
- Gluten-free thumbprint cookies are a must-have on my holiday cookie platter. I love filling them with my favorite jam or some leftover cranberry sauce.
Dairy-Free Fudge
Ingredients
- 11.25 oz vegan sweetened condensed milk
- 18 oz dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Lightly grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan and line it with parchment paper, allowing the excess parchment paper to hang over the sides. Make sure to have all four sides covered with parchment paper.
- In a double boiler or a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, combine the condensed milk, chocolate chips, vegan butter, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir until all the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with a spatula and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Once chilled, use the parchment paper to lift the fudge out of the pan and slice it into squares.
Notes
- Make sure to have all four sides covered with parchment paper, and leave enough for an overhang. This will help you get the fudge out easily and in one piece!
- If your parchment paper isn’t behaving, crumple it up into a little ball, then flatten it back out. The extra crinkles will keep it from rolling back up on itself. Also, you can always use binder clips to keep it out of the way while you’re pouring the fudge in.
- Chill time is important, not just for mental health but also for the fudge to set up.
- Heat your knife by running it under hot water and wiping it dry to help get super clean edges.
Janet says
How can you say this is dairy-free when the first ingredient listed is sweetened condensed MILK….
Ai says
It says VEGAN sweetened condensed milk. Some are made with coconut milk while others are made with oat milk.
Lindy says
Can you recommend a store bought vegan condensed milk brand please? Preferably an oat milk kind. I don't think I've ever seen it anywhere.
Thanks!
Ai says
Hi Lindy! I usually use Nature's Charm. They have both sweetened condensed oat milk, and sweetened condensed coconut milk!
Cathy says
Natures charm I get it at Whole Foods it is delicious