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Original Fantasy Fudge

Original Fantasy Fudge

Original Fantasy Fudge

5 from 1 vote
Original Fantasy Fudge
5.0 rating based on 12,345 ratings
5/5 (12)
Course: CandyDifficulty: Medium
Servings

117

pieces
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Yes, this is the original Fantasy Fudge recipe from the back of the Kraft Marshmallow Creme jar. It uses chocolate chips (the “new” (see note **)/current recipe uses Baker’s Chocolate). I firmly believe that the chocolate chip recipe is superior, and I’ll never know why they changed the recipe on us, but I’ve preserved the original recipe for you right here.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cup margarine (see note *)

  • 2/3 cup evaporated milk

  • 1 12-oz. (340 g) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • 1 7-oz. (198 g) jar Kraft Marshmallow creme

  • 1 cup chopped nuts

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  • Traditional method:
  • Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2-1/2 quart saucepan; bring to full rolling bail, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring. Remove from heat, stir in chocolate till melted. Add marshmallow creme, nuts & vanilla; beat until blended. Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Let cool and cut into 1-inch squares.
  • Microwave method:
  • Microwave margarine in 4-quart microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) 1 minute or until melted. Add sugar and milk; mix well. Microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until mixture begins to boil, stirring after 3 minutes. Mix well; scrape bowl. Continue microwaving on HIGH 5-1/2 minutes; stir after 3 minutes. Stir in chips until melted. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Cool at room temperature; cut into squares.

    Makes 3 pounds.

Notes

  • * The original recipe DID use margarine! But you can use butter!
  • Can be made in a smaller pan for thicker squares (yield will be reduced).
  • ** When I say “the new recipe” I am talking about the recipe that is on the back of the Kraft Marshmallow Creme jar currently. So many years have passed since they made the change that it can’t be called “new” anymore, but regardless, the original is superior. When they first changed the recipe, they changed the name as well and called it Creamy Fudge. There was a backlash, and they changed the name back to Fantasy Fudge but they didn’t change the recipe back to the original! Why? Because Kraft owned Baker’s Chocolate and some higher-up said they had to promote their own chocolate.
  • If you read the history of this website you’ll learn that this site developed in 1996 underwent a massive overhaul in 2020, and I was unable to transfer over all of the 1,643 reviews that were written for this one Fantasy Fudge recipe between 2002 and 2020.

    On the original site, this recipe got 4.9 stars (out of 5) and a 98% “would make this again” rating out of a total of 1,643 reviews. That made it the #1 recipe on the site for many years.

    I did transfer over several reviews, but I had to do this by hand for over 500 recipes, and I stopped after about 10 (always keeping negative reviews to preserve a similar star rating, and discarding recipes that had fewer than 3 stars). It is amusing to read a lot of the reviews from that era, because they date back to the beginning of the Internet when people were just discovering they could search for recipes online.

    Just a few reviews from a very busy few days in 2002. There were dozens like this that year:

     Gina in Michigan  Dec 13, 2002
    Would make this again.
    So glad to find the perfect fudge recipe!! Why did they change it??????

    A cookie baker in Mt.Vernon, IL  Dec 13, 2002
    Would make this again.
    I was so glad to find this recipe. I never wrote it down. I always looked on the jar. And then they changed it. It is wonderful fudge you can’t go wrong with it

    Laura in California  Dec 12, 2002
    Would make this again.
    Why oh why did the Kraft company change the recipe? Why fix it if it isn’t broken? Fantasty fudge is the very best. I’m very disheartened that Kraft went for a change. I made the “new” fudge, and it was awful! Then I went back and made Fantasy Fudge, and all was well with the world again!

    A cookie baker in El Centro, CA Dec 12, 2002
    Would make this again.
    I was disappointed in the new recipe on back of the marshmellow creme jar. The original fantasy fudge recipe is the best ever. I am glad to have found it on line.

    Mary in California  Dec 11, 2002
    Would make this again.
    My mom was dissapointed with the results of the fudge recipe on the marshmallow creme jar today, so she asked me to look up this original recipe and was quite pleased when we found it online! It really is the best recipe.

    Christina King in Arizona  Dec 11, 2002
    Would make this again.
    I have been making this Fantasy Fudge recipe for 30 years. The recipe on the Kraft jar today has changed. I like this original. It is always a hit!!!

    Back then, I had the #1 spot on Google for “christmas cookies” so I had MASSIVE amounts of traffic in December. No longer (sites like Martha Stewart and Allrecipes supplanted me), but I mention it to explain why I had so many reviews back in those days while I get very few now!
  • If any food historians or bloggers ever want access to this historical information, please contact me.

Reviews

Name & Location
(example: Sue in LA)
Rating
Review

★★★★★
We have used this recipe for many years to gift at Christmas. We use the microwave method and we use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate. Best peanut butter fudge ever!!
- Bonnie in Kansas

★★★★★
This is the best recipe! Now I know why the last batch of fudge wasn't right. Thank you. I will now copy it so I always have it.
- A Baker

★★★★★
Thanks for posting this. I still have my original label I removed off the Kraft jar years ago and one I enlarged on the printer. Your's is a lot easier to read! I make many pans of it every Christmas. I have substituted the chocolate chips with espresso chocolate chips (equal amount) or with 1 cup of peanut butter. The 3 make up wonderful gift plates. I am new to your site but look forward to checking out the other recipes. Thanks again.
- Debbie

★★★★★
thank you for the recipe. I make this every year for my Brother in law. I always got the recipe off the jar. I panic when it wasn't there. This time I printed it and it's going into my recipe box. Again thank you Ruthie
- Ruthie in Lewisburg Tn.

★★★★★
Thank goodness you saved and posted the original recipe cuz I lost my entire recipe box a year ago and couldn't ever remember using blocks of chocolate instead of choc chips. After reading this recipe, I realized it's the same one I used for over 30 years and it IS THE BEST FUDGE YOU'LL EVER HAVE! Thank you very much and Happy Holidays!
- Dee

★★★★★
My mom would make 3 batches during the holidays! She would add pecans instead of walnuts! Now that make it I use butter instead of margarine! It’s all good either way! Enjoy
- Jeffrey

★★★★★
Been making this since the 1970s. I add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of Laura Scudder Creamy Peanut butter to the recipe. Sooooo Gooooood!
- Amm

★★★★★
This ORIGINAL recipe is FAR BETTER than the newer one. Stay with name brands and good margarine. Don't overcook or and don’t overcook or overbeat for creamy, delicious fudge that is foolproof. BEST RECIPE
- A Baker

★★★★★
I have been making this fudge for over 25 years. I always do the microwave method. So easy and delicious. I do substitute butter. Awesome fudge.
- Carolyn

★★★★★
Outstanding stuff, and yes I've made the peanut butter fudge also!
- Canyon daze

★★★★★
Made this fudge for 30+ years. Never fail great recipe. The family and friends love it!
- Fudge lover

★★★★★
I have tried many fudge recipes, this by far is the best homemade fudge recipe that I have ever tried. In my family, for our holidays this is a tried and true recipe that we make at least twice a year. The recipe is very basic and very simple to make and it comes out perfect every single time. We find that it is especially good when slightly chilled, it is good with and without nuts. We have also found you can modify the recipe by omitting the chocolate chips and adding 1 1/2 cups of peanut butter, it makes a heavenly peanut butter fudge as well. I encourage everyone to try this recipe, I have yet to find a better one, Thank you for sharing this recipe!
- A Baker
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