Easy Chocolate Orange Fudge

My chocolate orange fudge recipe is effortless and delicious with a tangy marmalade twist. Make this easy seasonal treat in the microwave or follow my fuss-free, no boiling stove top instructions! 

Chocolate orange fudge

Fuss-free and fun to make, the fudge is great all year round. There’s no need for boiling sugar or messing around with thermometers. With just four ingredients, it couldn’t be easier to make.

I’ve used the classic British Terry’s Chocolate Orange here (it looks pretty when you add a piece as decoration). However, any orange chocolate will do. You don’t need a baking pan to set it in. I use plastic takeaway trays, which are just right for a small batch.

If you don’t have a microwave, this recipe also works on the stove top over a low heat. I have included instructions for both, so this really is a recipe for everyone.

This simple four-ingredient fudge recipe is a great one to make with kids, who will love learning to make candy and take pride in handing it out to loved ones. Make a bigger batch, and you will have homemade presents for all.

Why you will love this chocolate fudge!

• Who doesn’t love fudge?
• This 4 ingredient recipe couldn’t be easier. All you need is a bowl, spoon and a microwave.
• No pans of boiling sugar – no sugar thermometer needed!
• You don’t even need a baking pan to se the fudge; just use a takeaway tray!
• You need less than 5 minutes hands-on time.
• This condensed milk fudge recipe is easy to adapt, so you can make it your way.
• It is easily scalable.
• It is totally fool-proof. This is a great recipe for beginners, with step-by-step instructions!

Chocolate orange fudge ingredients

• Condensed Milk – Half a can of sweetened condensed milk – about 200 g or 7 oz. Do not confuse condensed milk with evaporated milk, which comes in a similar can, but is a completely different product. The standard can is 395 g / 14 oz in the UK, the USA and Australia. You can freeze the rest for next time, if you can resist spreading it on toast! Alternatively, make a double batch. Either way, there’s no waste! 
• A Chocolate Orange – Any orange chocolate will do here so choose dark or milk, as you prefer.
• Chocolate – Again, you can use either dark or milk chocolate. We like a mix. You don’t need expensive branded chocolate for this, so supermarket own-brand is fine. The size of the bar may vary but that’s OK, as the recipe is flexible. It doesn’t matter if you are a couple of squares over or under.
• Marmalade – For an extra burst of orange flavour. You can use shop bought or homemade (try our marmalade recipe). If there are big chunks of peel in your marmalade, cut them up a little.

Half batch / small batch condensed milk fudge

Cooking for two, I normally make my fudge using half a can of condensed milk. This yields 18–24 squares and easily lasts us a week.

If you want to use the rest of the can up, why not make a batch of my no churn ice cream?

Alternatively, use it to make my mincemeat Christmas fudge. Small batches means more batches, allowing you to experiment with flavours.

How to make chocolate orange fudge

Prepare the Tray / Mould

You need a baking pan, tray or mould to set the fudge, so prepare this first. A regular plastic takeaway tray  (4″ x 6″) is great for this, so never throw them away (they also stack perfectly in the freezer)! If you are using a flexible mould like a takeaway tray or silicone pan, give it a quick brush with oil or cake release spray. For a rigid pan made of metal or ceramic, it is best to line it with parchment paper so you can easily lift the fudge out.

If you are making a larger batch, either use two trays, or a 7–8″ (18–20 cm) square pan.

Step One – Put your condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl. Break up the chocolate and reserve six pieces of the chocolate orange segments for decoration. Then put the rest on top of the milk, along with the marmalade.

Chop up the reserved segments of chocolate orange.

Step Two – Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 second bursts, until the chocolate melts. The time needed will vary with the microwave, brand of chocolate and even the size and shape of your bowl. Take it slowly, because you only want to melt the chocolate. Never boil this type of fudge as the chocolate may seize, split or go grainy.

Step Three – When the chocolate has melted, mix everything together until the mixture is smooth.

Step Four – Pour the hot fudge into the prepared mould. Smooth it out to give an even surface.

Step Five – While the fudge is still hot, decorate by lightly pressing the pieces of reserved chocolate orange onto the surface. Put into the fridge for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) to set.

Step Six – Once set turn the fudge out of the mould – flex the sides and flip upside down, giving a good tap to release it.   If it seems stuck pop it into the freezer for 10 minutes then give the bottom of the tray a good whack.

Cut the fudge into squares (it helps to have a big heavy knife here). Then keep it in a covered container in the fridge until you are ready to eat.

No microwave? No problem!

I find the microwave method the easiest, but it is also very simple to make this chocolate orange fudge recipe in a saucepan on the hob.

Step One – Prepare your trays as shown in the method above.

Step Two – Pour the condensed milk into a saucepan. Then break up the chocolate, reserving six of the chocolate orange segments for decoration. Put the rest of the chocolate and the marmalade in the pan with the condensed milk.

Step Three – Warm the pan on the lowest heat (it helps to have a diffuser ring). Once the chocolate starts to melt, keep stirring it. Do not leave the pan, as it can overheat very quickly. If this happens, the chocolate will seize and the mixture will split, spoiling your fudge.

Step Four – Pour the fudge into the tray. Smooth out and decorate with the reserved chocolate orange pieces. Once cool, pop into the fridge to set for 4 hours or overnight.

Can I use the slow cooker to make fudge?

Slow cookers are great for slowly melting chocolate for this type of recipe, and you certainly could use it.

Having said that, this recipe for chocolate orange fudge is so easy in the microwave or in a pan that I would not bother to use the slow cooker, unless I were making at least a triple batch.

How long does chocolate orange fudge last?

It lasts at least a week in the fridge, and we normally eat it all in that time. If I made a bigger batch, it wouldn’t last any longer! That’s why I stick to small batches!

What can I do with leftover condensed milk?

You can store condensed milk in a sealed tub in the fridge or freeze it. It will keep for months in the freezer.

Use your leftovers to make no-churn ice cream (lots of my no churn ice cream recipes use half a can of condensed milk). Alternatively, make a second batch of this chocolate orange fudge recipe or experiment with other flavours, using this recipe as a guide.

Fuss Free Tip

If you freeze leftover condensed milk, be careful! Store it in a watertight container or make sure you have stored it upright and do not let it tip.

Condensed milk does not freeze solid (which is why it works in ice cream). If you let it, it will escape and leave the contents of your freezer in a sticky mess.

Explore more

For more on easy fudge techniques, have a look at my main post on how to make easy fudge. Explore all my variations on the theme in my easy fudge recipes roundup.