Classic Fudge Made with Egg Nog (or Not) … Microwave to Freezer to Mouth
 … Microwave to Freezer to Mouth from%20Gluten-Free%20Easily)
This post is linked to Gluten-Free Wednesdays.
Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker had the theme of chocolate for the month for her Gluten-Free Wednesdays event. I never came up with anything chocolate to share as I was pretty busy with our Home for the Holidays … Gluten-Free Style event. However, I remembered this classic fudge recipe that you make in the microwave and then chill in the freezer. You can make it in just a few minutes. I found the recipe in one of my recipe boxes and then looked in my pantry to see if I had any confectioners’ sugar. Luckily, way in the back I found some. This recipe is not a healthy one. It’s pure indulgence. It calls for a whole box of confectioners’ sugar. I had slightly less than that, but I decided it would be more than enough. I also had some egg nog and I’ve always wanted to make egg nog fudge. Most egg nog fudge recipes are similar to peanut butter fudge recipes in that they are no longer “chocolate focused,” but are super sweet and pale in color. Egg nog fudge is usually the exact color of egg nog with marshmallows and/or white chocolate coming into play. I decided to simply substitute egg nog for the milk in this recipe, but you can just as easily use milk (dairy or non-dairy) instead. I really liked the addition of the egg nog though. The fudge doesn’t taste like egg nog to me, but it tastes even creamier than I remember. It’s been a very long time since I made this recipe, but I’m glad I remembered it.
Some of you always want to know what Mr. GFE thinks when I make a recipe. Well, Mr. GFE pronounced this fudge “Excellent!” but here’s more of what he had to say.
Mr. GFE: “It’s awful good, but your fudge is always good. It’s creamy, not crunchy.” (My mom’s fudge is crunchy, and I LOVE it, too, but Mr. GFE does not.)
Me: “Can you guess what I put in it?”
Mr. GFE: “Honey?”
Me: “No, I put egg nog in it.”
Mr. GFE: “Og nog?” (Og nog is what Son always called egg nog when he was a little guy.)
Me: Yes, og nog.
Mr. GFE: “Your fudge tastes better than these chocolate-covered raisins!” (He had just grabbed some chocolate-covered raisins before I reminded him of the fudge I’d made. Now that’s a compliment! Mr. GFE’s weakness is chocolate-covered raisins and he received some in his Christmas stocking at his mom’s house.)
Mr. GFE (going back for another piece of fudge): “It’s delicious. Og nog fudge. Who would have thought?” (He was marveling and chuckling at the same time.) “It doesn’t taste like og nog. It’s awful creamy though.”
So there you go … Mr. GFE’s review. Make some of this fudge and share your review with us all. It will only take you a few minutes to make a pan full. I’ll wait. With a piece of this fudge in hand, of course. Oh, and I got this recipe in for Linda’s Gluten-Free Wednesdays chocolate challenge after all—woohoo!
Classic Fudge Made with Egg Nog (or Not)
(Click here for a printable version of this recipe.)3 ½ cups powdered (confectioners’) sugar, sifted (see notes for directions on making unrefined powdered sugar)
½ cup cocoa powder, sifted
¼ tsp sea salt
½ cup butter (dairy or non-dairy, or a tad less coconut oil), melted
¼ cup egg nog (or milk, dairy or non-dairy, see notes for non-dairy)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Lightly grease an 8-inch square pan (or line with parchment paper). Set aside.
Combine first three ingredients in a large glass bowl.
Add melted butter and stir some. Add egg nog and stir again. Mixture will seem lumpy and will be hard to stir; that’s okay. Stir until ingredients are at least well incorporated.
Microwave on HIGH uncovered for about 2 ½ minutes, stirring at 1-minute intervals. Each time you stir, you will see the lumps disappear and the fudge get smoother.
Remove from microwave oven and stir in vanilla extract.
Spread into prepared pan.
Place uncovered in freezer for 15 minutes.
Cut into small squares with a sharp knife and serve.
Makes about 36 squares (1 ½-inch). (Those are “two-bite” size if you are not being piggish.)
Shirley’s Notes: Use one of the new egg-free, vegan “egg nogs” for a vegan version or use non-dairy milk. If using a thinner non-dairy milk like rice milk, use slightly less to ensure your fudge is thick enough to set up. Both Lexie (Lexie’s Kitchen) and Ali (Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen) offer directions on making unrefined powdered sugar; that substitution would make this recipe much healthier. This fudge is divine right out of the freezer. It will still be good after sitting for several minutes, but will soften quite a bit if left out for a long time. It doesn’t actually melt, but you’ll want to keep it cool for serving. (A chilled plate and/or ice pack underneath can be helpful.) Any remaining fudge can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Comments
34 Responses to “Classic Fudge Made with Egg Nog (or Not) … Microwave to Freezer to Mouth”
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Oh, I just shared this little gem! And I was thinking… the So Delicious coconut milk chocolate mint drink… bet that would work, too! (I used it for cupcakes over Christmas and it was grand!)… great recipe, Shirley!!!
xoxo,
Gigi
Thanks for sharing, Gigi, and I love the way you think! A chocolate mint version does sound lovely.
Now I’m thinking about those cupcakes of your … yum! Good thing that “thinking about” food does not mess up one’s New Year’s resolutions. LOL
Happy New Year, dear! xo,
Shirley
I love og nog! I would guess that the cocoa would overpower the eggnog flavor, but I can imagine that is pure creaminess. Oooh, I miss fudge!
Hey Ricki–Og nog is good stuff! It sounds very paleo and “Grok-ish” doesn’t it, but no dairy for them, so will have to go with So Delicious’ vegan egg nog and a few more changes to earn that label.
I thought I detected maybe a teeny tiny hint of egg nog, but Mr. GFE did not. The creaminess was perfect! I do love your healthy Almond Fudge, too.
Happy New Year, dear!
Shirley
Oh Shirley you made me laugh tonight! I love it…”Og Nog.” SOOO cute.
Thanks for the smile!
Hugs,
–Amber
Amber–Glad to provide a chuckle and a smile! Son saying “og nog” always made us chuckle, too.
It still warms my heart thinking of him as that little boy. 
Hugs and Happy New Year, dear!
Shirley
og nog – I love it!
this looks too good, Shirley, I definitely need to try it.
I’ve been meaning to tell you!! my mom made your (AMAZING!) crustless pumpkin pie for Christmas! she was telling me about it the day before, saying she got it from the internet. I asked where, assuming it might be from a blog? she said “a gf blog, I may have seen from you!” I asked if it was GFE and she said yes!
that pie is SO good. and my mom and I are both big crust fans… we LOVED it!
XXO
Kristina–Hehe on “og nog”, huh? Sometimes the kid labels for foods and people, stick with us forever.
I suspect you’ll come up with a slightly different version of this fudge with perfectly cut pieces and photos, so I’ll be waiting. 
Finally, woohoo on the gfe crustless pumpkin pie from your mom! I totally LOVE that story! Thank you so much for sharing, dear. A big hug to you and a big hug to your mom, too!
Happy New Year! xoxo,
Shirley
Shirley – these sound wickedly delicious! Love love homemade fudge!
Ina–Ahhh, yes, “wickedly delicious” is an appropriate term for this treat for sure! Homemade fudge is one of those recipes that you think “hey, why don’t I make this more often?” Then you eat a piece … and another … and another … and you remember why you don’t. Uh huh. Yep, you nailed it! It’s wickedly delicious!
Happy New Year!
Shirley
Sounds decadent. I’m going to try it with chocolate almond milk!
Hi Susan–Thanks!
Please let us know what you think. I’d probably go with the unsweetened almond milk or the vanilla flavor myself, as the chocolate flavor in the almond milk might “compete” against the cocoa flavor, but again let us know if you try it. Decadent this fudge certainly is. 
Happy New Year!
Shirley
I love fudge! Whenever I go on vacation I always buy it. Had to teach my g-kids about the wonders of fudge – such deprived little ones!
Your recipe sounds perfect!
xo,
c
Hi Carol–Buying fudge on vacation is a good way to maintain self control, too.
Interesting on the g-kids. I guess fudge is not made as often as it was back in the day, and if a family eats healthy, it rarely makes an appearance. Still, you are a good grandmother!! Hehe.
Thanks, dear! Happy New Year! xo,
Shirley
YummEEEEEEE!! I canNOT wait to make this!
Definitely going to the store for cocoa powder tomorrow! 
Have a blessed evening!
Heather–LOVE your enthusiasm! Of course, good fudge can do that to a gal!
Look like you are new here—welcome! 
Can’t wait for your review …
Shirley
Sounds just lovely! I have to admit I prefer creamy fudge best as well
Happy New Year, looking forward to many more food adventures with you next year!
InTolerant Chef–There are a lot of you “creamy fudge folks”! I won’t turn this down, but I do love my mom’s. It’s more rare and therefore, more valuable … at least to my sister and me.
Thanks so much for the New Year’s greetings, dear! Same to you. Must visit your blog more often, too! Hugs,
Shirley
We tried these tonight…my husband and I were definitely piggish, yum! Thanks
CeCe–Yippee! Piggish on the fudge … one really can NOT be piggish with this fudge, right?
Thanks so much, CeCe! Happy New Year!
Shirley
Happy New Year, Shirley! Thanks for always keeping us up to date on the goings-on in this blogging world, and for sharing your time and energy with us. I think 2012 is going to be your year!
xoxo
Hi Iris–Thank you so much, dear! I try, but it’s a wonderfully tough job with all the good that is going on.
Love your 2012 predictions! 
Happy New Year to you, too! I KNOW it’s going to be fabulous for you with two books coming out with Brittany!! xo,
Shirley
Wow, that fudge looks over the top decadent! Eggnog! Sounds just right. : )
Happy New Year Shirley and all the best to you in 2012!
Shirley, I made these last night with the last of the egg nog in the fridge (I simply had to get rid of it so I would stop sipping on it). THIS RECIPE IS DIVINE!!! Of course, every recipe I make of yours is, but these literally melt in your mouth. And when I told the boys it was Shirley’s recipe they asked “did you use her honey in too? Because these are so good!” LOL Just thought i would share, my dear!
xo
k
ps I did not make them dairy-free. They were all dairy. Butter, egg nog. I had to get it all out of the house. Gasp…
Hey Kim–This comment made me so happy!! Thank you so much, dear!! I love the boys’ comment. Just love it!!
Oh, and your DIVINE rating, too. 
Well, using up your dairy leftover from your holiday guests gave you all the *true taste test* on the gfe original recipe!
Thank you again for sharing! Hug those boys for me … you all made my day! xoxo,
Shirley
oooooh yum.. my hubby was just searching for a sweet for his sweet-tooth…I am fresh out of nog, but.. do have coconut milk on hand.. we are looking forward to melt in your mouth goodness..thank you, we just love your recipe posts!!
I like the name Og Nog Fudge. That’s funny! It does look very creamy. I’m glad you were able to submit a chocolate recipe for December!
Darn it, I should have called it Og Nog Fudge in the post title, Linda! That would have been an attention getter.
I was so happy to sneak in this recipe! 
Shirley
Shirley,
I love how simple this is! My PB fudge recipe is simple, but the chocolate version requires getting the mixture to 234 degrees, which seems to take forever! I can’t wait to try this out!! Jon loves “Og Nog”, so I am sure he will love it!
Kim
Hi Kim–I haven’t mastered any candy recipes that require temperature readings. Of course, I haven’t really tried because I don’t have the patience! This recipe is wonderful. I hope you’ll try it. LOL on Jon loving Og Nog … it’s hard to beat!
xo,
Shirley
Just have to say, this Egg Nog Fudge is AWESOME, and a great way to use up after-Christmas egg nog! Usually, about once a week, I “need” just a piece of chocolate. Having this fudge cut into small almost-bite-size squares, in a container in the fridge is so handy and “life saving”
Im excited to move onto making the Oatmeal Marble Bars. This was actually my first GF recipe, so it motivates me knowing GF can also be yummy!
Hi Sharyn–Welcome to gfe!
Now that’s an awesome testament to this fudge. Woohoo on making your first gluten-free recipe! Making recipes that are naturally gluten free really couldn’t be easier. 
Hope you enjoy the Oatmeal Marble treats, too!
Shirley