By Ashton · Updated August 27, 2026
on August 27, 2026
This salted caramel fudge recipe is as EASY as it is DELICIOUS! If you love sweet and salty (and easy!), this fudge is for YOU!
Ohmygoodness. I cannot believe it’s December already!! I mean… I know we all say that every year, but sheesh! Wasn’t that like the fastest November ever?? Our Thanksgiving was pretty wonderful — we bought a Christmas tree in the morning, ate our feast for three in the afternoon, and watched Disney’s Frozen at night. Stuffed, sleepy, and happy. Just the way it should end! And then Friday arrived with an explosion of Christmas, icicle lights, boxes of ornaments from the attic, and peppermint bark. Christmas is HERE, you guys! 🎄
Why This Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe Is the Ultimate Treat
I feel like I’m seeing homemade fudge everywhere this holiday season — all my friends are posting their best fudge recipes and honestly? I kind of want ALL of them. But this delicious salted caramel fudge is the one I keep coming back to. It hits every single one of your taste buds — creamy fudge vibes, deep caramel flavor, and that little kiss of vanilla and coarse sea salt on top. Chef’s kiss moment, truly. It’s part caramel, part fudge, and 100% the kind of sweet treat that makes people become your best friend real fast. 😂
The Right Ingredients Make All the Difference
Okay so here’s the good stuff — the right ingredients are everything here. You’ll swap regular sweetened condensed milk for a can of dulce de leche, which is basically homemade caramel in a can. That one little swap is what gives this easy fudge its deep caramel flavor and those incredible caramel flavors all the way through. You’ll also need dark brown sugar for traditional fudge vibes, unsalted butter, a little bit of golden syrup or corn syrup, and milk chocolate or dark chocolate — your call! White chocolate works beautifully too if you’re feeling fancy. Oh, and sea salt flakes on top. Non-negotiable. For more salted caramel fans inspo, check out my salted caramel brownies too! 🧡
How to Make This Simple Recipe Step by Step
This simple recipe comes together so fast! Line your square pan with parchment paper or wax paper — don’t skip this or you’ll be crying into the bottom of the bowl trying to get your fudge out. Melt your dulce de leche, unsalted butter, and dark brown sugar together in a heavy-based saucepan (or medium saucepan) over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. The next bit is key: keep going for about 8-10 minutes until the caramel mixture thickens and reaches the soft-ball stage — drop a tiny bit into a glass of cold water to test it. No candy thermometer needed but you can totally use one! Then pull it off the heat, stir in your chopped chocolate until melted, and pour into your prepared pan in an even layer.
Tips for Perfect Fudge Consistency Every Time
Want to be a total fudge master? A few quick tips! Use a non-stick pan or a double boiler if you’re nervous about scorching. Keep the heat on low heat at first, then bump to medium heat. Stir constantly — I literally cannot even tell you how many batches of crumbly fudge I’ve ruined by walking away for a couple of minutes. 😅 Once you pour it into the pan, use a small spatula to smooth the top, then sprinkle remaining sea salt and sea salt flakes over everything. Let it set at room temperature for a couple of hours, or pop it in the fridge. Once the fudge set is complete, use the parchment paper to lift the whole block of sugar-y goodness out, then slice into small squares or bite-sized squares. SO satisfying!
Storing, Gifting, and Serving Your Fudge
The best part? This is a killer gift! Package your individual squares in tiny cups, wrap in cling wrap, or tuck into a freezer bag or airtight container — it stays fresh for weeks! It’s literally one of the best food gifts during the holiday season. Workout incoming if you keep it on the counter, just saying. 😂 Bring it to your local holiday market, set it out to surprise guests, or tuck it into lunch box treats for the kids. You can also try different types like our caramel potato chip fudge or pralines and cream fudge — because once you go homemade fudge, you’ll want ALL the fudge recipes. The final product is always a little sticky, totally dreamy, and absolutely worth every single bite. Now go make it! ❤️
Check Out These Other Great Recipes!
Easy Salted Caramel Fudge
Ingredients
- 14 ounces Dulce de Leche*
- 3 cups white chocolate or white candy melts**
- 1 cup milk or dark chocolate morsels
- a pinch or two of coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish by lining it with foil or parchment. Lightly spray the lining with a non stick cooking spray.
- Over low heat, melt the white chocolate. Once white chocolate is smooth and completely melted, mix in the dulce de leche and a pinch of sea salt until completely incorporated. Mixture will be thick.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer with a rubber spatula.
- Melt the milk chocolate morsels in the microwave (about 45-60 seconds of heating). Pour the melted chocolate over the fudge and spread evenly. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.
- Let cool completely at room temperature for 3-4 hours (you can speed set in the fridge for about 30 minutes to an hour, but expect condensation on the fudge if you try to serve it at room temperature.
- Cut into 1 inch pieces to serve.
Notes
*This can be found in the Hispanic food aisle. OR you could boil a 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk for 3 hours and let cool completely.
**I prefer candy melts. You can heat candy melts at a higher temperature than white chocolate, which speeds up the process a bit and ensures a smoother melted product. White chocolate works just as well, but you’ll need to melt it MUCH slower to avoid seizing or burning, never increasing the heat from LOW.