Easy Creamy Fudge with Variations

With several holidays coming up and occurring one after the other (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas), there will be no shortage of family gatherings and delicious food to celebrate with. One of my favorite treats to bring to parties is fudge, and since my middle name is "make it as easy as possible", this recipe is perfect for me.

Photo Credit: https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/30353/Foolproof-Chocolate-Fudge/detail.aspx

EASY CREAMY FUDGE (inspired by Eagle Brand Foolproof Fudge)

3 cups chocolate chips (I use a 50/50 mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate)
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
dash salt

Line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with foil, allowing it to reach up the sides. Set aside. In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips with condensed milk and vanilla until chips are completely melted. Remove from heat and add nuts if desired. Stir to coat. Immediately pour into prepared foil-lined pan and then chill in fridge 1-2 hours until firm. Turn over onto cutting board and remove foil. Cut into squares with pizza cutter (or knife). ENJOY!

VARIATIONS:

ANY FLAVOR of baking morsel can be used in this recipe.
- Using all semi-sweet morsels makes a yummy dark chocolate fudge (this is my favorite)
- All milk chocolate makes a softer, creamier fudge (this is my husband's favorite)
- You can use flavored morsels such as white chocolate, vanilla, cherry, mint, peanut butter, cinnamon and butterscotch.

I like to make LAYERED FUDGE and it's easy to do. Make a half-batch of one flavor, chill it in the fridge, then make a half batch of another flavor and spread it on top of the first layer. Chill until firm. Some of my favorite layered combinations are:

Chocolate-Peanut Butter

Chocolate-Mint

Chocolate-White Chocolate

Chocolate-Cherry

Be creative and have fun!

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER photo credit: https://peppercandy.net/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=19&zenid=a4c9a573856bf71abb5063e8f28c3d34

CHOCOLATE-MINT photo credit: http://blog.dollhousebakeshoppe.com/2014/03/layered-mint-chocolate-fudge.html

CHOCOLATE-WHITE CHOCOLATE photo credit: http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/678072-White-Chocolate-Layered-Fudge

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY photo credit: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/212091463673526736/