This Easy Strawberry Fudge Recipe uses sweetened condensed milk to create a quick and delicious no-bake holiday treat!
Creamy and delicious no-bake fudge recipes always add a splash of fun to any holiday gathering. This strawberry fudge was created with Valentine's Day in mind but really, you could enjoy it any time of the year!
Just like with my peanut butter chocolate swirl and cranberry white chocolate fudge, this recipe uses sweetened condensed milk. Not only is it quick to make, but it adds an unbelievable creaminess. I love it!
All you need is a few ingredients, 10 minutes of time, and a bit of patience for the fudge to set up in order to make this unforgettable strawberry dessert!
Why You'll LOVE This Strawberry Fudge Recipe:
- It's quick, easy, and convenient to make.
- It uses sweetened condensed milk, so no candy thermometer needed.
- Strawberry is the star of this recipe.
- You only need 7 ingredients.
- It's no-bake, so you don't even have to turn on your oven!
Perfect Strawberry Flavor
I am so happy with the strawberry flavor in this fudge. Although I really wanted to use fresh strawberries, it just wasn't possible.
Fresh fruit has too much excess water in them, so when I tried experimenting a few times with fresh strawberries the flavor was great, but the fudge just never set up properly. Where the chunks of strawberries were there were also pools of water. Gross.
I used two different strawberry products that not only made the fudge pink without using food dye but also tasted amazing:
- Strawberry jello powder
- Freeze-dried strawberries
You only need to use 1 tbsp of the strawberry jello powder, so please note that you'll have extra (just save for when you want to make another batch of strawberry fudge!). I really like the flavor it adds when mixed into the white chocolate.
The freeze-dried strawberries I was a bit more skeptical until I tried a bite of it inside the fudge. But to my surprise, it was really good!
You want to make sure you chop them up into smaller pieces before mixing them into the melted chocolate, that way they're evenly dispersed throughout the fudge.
The freeze-dried strawberries add another layer of strawberry flavor and is the closest thing to using the fresh berry. If for some reason you cannot find this ingredient you don't have to use it. Just using the jello powder is still delicious.
Tips Before Making:
- Prepare Baking Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with foil and then non-stick spray. I found that using both makes removing the fudge so much easier.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Do not confuse this product with evaporated milk. They are NOT interchangeable. Make sure that you do not use fat-free sweetened condensed milk, either.
- Strawberry Flavor: Both strawberry jello powder and freeze-dried strawberries are used.
- Quick Chilling Method: If you’re in a hurry to serve this fudge, you can place it into the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour and then place it into the freezer for 20-25 minutes. Then you can cut them into squares. For best results, the fudge should chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Cutting Fudge: To get even 1-inch fudge squares I will use a ruler and a sharp knife. Dip the knife into hot water, dry it off, and then cut it into your fudge. This will create smooth and even cuts.
Ingredients In This Easy Strawberry Fudge Recipe:
This is another dessert that requires only a handful of ingredients! So simple, quick, and delicious!
- White Chocolate Chips: I recommend using either Ghirardelli or Nestle’s white chocolate chips, but you can use whichever brand you prefer!
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Use normal sweetened condensed milk, not fat-free.
- Strawberry Jello: 1 tbsp of strawberry jello powder is all you'll need. This adds a great strawberry flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor and creaminess.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all of the other ingredients.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: This adds another layer of strawberry flavor and is the closest thing to using the fresh berry.
How To Make Strawberry Fudge:
- Saucepan: Combine the white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, strawberry jello powder, and butter and cook over medium heat. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth.
- Remove From Heat: Remove the pan from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract, salt, and freeze-dried strawberries.
- Chilling: Pour the fudge into the baking dish and place it into the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours.
Keep leftover fudge stored in an airtight container. The fudge will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or 1 week on the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Fudge can easily be made ahead of time by freezing it until you need it. Be sure to wrap your fudge in plastic wrap a few times and place it into an airtight container or a ziploc bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Unfortunately, no. Using fresh strawberries causes the fudge to be watery and it won't set up properly. Freeze-dried strawberries are the next best thing to fresh.
If you’re in a hurry to serve this fudge, you can place it into the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour and then place it into the freezer for 20-25 minutes. Then you can cut them into squares. For best results, the fudge should chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Recommended Baking Tools:
- 8×8-inch baking pan
- Foil
- Non-stick spray
- Wooden spoon
I hope you enjoy this easy-to-make strawberry fudge! It is my go-to dessert at the moment, and with Valentine's Day coming up, I just might have to make another batch. 😉
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More Fun Valentine's Desserts:
Easy Strawberry Fudge Recipe
Equipment
- 8x8 inch baking pan
Ingredients:
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tbsp strawberry jello powder
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, chopped
Instructions:
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, strawberry jello powder, and butter and cook over medium heat. Stir occasionally using a wooden spoon (or silicone spatula) until melted and smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract, salt, and freeze-dried strawberries. Pour the fudge into your prepared baking dish and smooth out with your spoon or spatula.
- Place the fudge into the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours (for best results, let it chill overnight). Then cut the fudge into squares (I cut mine into 36 1-inch squares).
Can you use canned strawberries for this recipe? I have strawberry rhubarb canned pie filling. My mom loves rhubarb and I want to make it for her.
I don't recommend it. They would be far to "juicy" and wouldn't allow the fudge to set up properly. I highly recommend the freeze dried strawberries.
can i use a different flavor of jello powder and leave out the freeze dried strawberries? i am allergic to strawberries but want to try the jello flavored fudge concept
Hi Kelly! Yes, that should work just fine! Would love to hear which flavor you picked. 🙂