1. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with foil (or parchment) and set aside.
2. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons butter, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and salt.
3. Stir constantly until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
4. Choose one variation below and follow those steps. Chill 3-4 hours, then lift out and cut into squares.

Chocolate Fudge Variations

Variation 1: Rocky Road Fudge

• ½ cup chopped nuts
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 tablespoons butter (for marshmallow layer)

1. Stir chopped nuts into the warm chocolate fudge.
2. Pour fudge into prepared pan and refrigerate while making marshmallow layer.
3. Melt marshmallows with remaining 2 tablespoons butter until smooth.
4. Pour marshmallow mixture over chocolate layer and swirl gently with a knife.
5. Chill until firm, then cut into squares.

Layered Rocky Road Option

Pour half the chocolate layer into the pan and reserve the rest. Add the marshmallow layer, swirl, then top with remaining chocolate. Chill and cut.

Variation 2: Chocolate Walnut Caramel Fudge

Extra Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Topping

• 1½ cups toasted walnuts
• 6 tablespoons caramel topping

1. Stir chopped walnuts into the warm chocolate fudge.
2. Pour into a foil-lined 8×11-inch pan (or use 13×9; topping will be thinner).
3. Mix toasted walnuts with caramel topping and spread evenly over the top.
4. Refrigerate until firm, then score and cut into squares.

White & Vanilla Fudge Variations

Variation 3: Cookies & Cream White Fudge

• 12 oz white chocolate chips or white chocolate squares
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• ? teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped chocolate creme sandwich cookies

1. Line an 8×11-inch pan with foil.
2. Melt white chocolate, condensed milk, and salt over low heat, stirring often.
3. Remove from heat and stir in cookie pieces.
4. Pour into prepared pan and chill until firm.

Variation 4: Classic Vanilla Fudge

Follow the Cookies & Cream instructions above, but leave out the chopped cookies. (Optional: add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract after melting.)

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help measure, stir (off heat), and add mix-ins
• Adults should handle stovetop or microwave melting
• Swirling layers is a fun creative step for kids
• Use foil so kids can help lift fudge out for cutting

Storage

Store fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best texture, let pieces sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.