Easy Red, White & Blue Fudge Recipe: Your Perfect No-Bake 4th of July Dessert
Get ready to impress with this incredibly easy and vibrant Red, White & Blue Fudge recipe! This patriotic treat is an absolute showstopper, perfect for celebrating national holidays like Flag Day, the 4th of July, or Memorial Day. Made with simple ingredients like creamy marshmallow creme, evaporated milk, rich white chocolate chips, sugar, butter, and a touch of food coloring, it delivers a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s utterly irresistible.
No-bake 4th of July desserts, like this spectacular patriotic fudge, are an absolute lifesaver when the summer heat kicks in. There’s nothing worse than turning on your oven and warming up your kitchen on a hot summer day when all you want to do is enjoy the festivities. This recipe allows you to whip up something deliciously sweet and festive for Independence Day without any baking required, keeping your kitchen cool and your spirits high!
But beyond the convenience, let’s be honest: who doesn’t absolutely adore fudge? I believe fudge is the quintessential indulgence when it comes to satisfying a sweet tooth. Its rich, creamy texture and decadent flavor make it a beloved treat for all ages, and this patriotic version adds an extra layer of festive fun to any gathering.
In the past, I’ve shared other popular fudge recipes, such as my incredibly simple 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge and a festive Green Fudge for St. Patrick’s Day. Today, I’m thrilled to bring you a sweet, creamy, and visually stunning red, white, and blue fudge recipe that’s guaranteed to be a hit!
With the 4th of July rapidly approaching, I’ve been fully immersed in a red, white, and blue desserts craze. There’s something so enjoyable about concocting new and unique patriotic treats. Not only do they add a festive touch to our celebrations, but they also help get the entire family in the spirit for Independence Day. This layered fudge is not just delicious; it’s a centerpiece dessert that truly embodies the joy and patriotism of the holiday.
Essential Ingredients for Red White and Blue Fudge
Crafting this delightful patriotic fudge begins with gathering your ingredients and necessary supplies. While the recipe is straightforward, having everything measured and ready beforehand will ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience.
You will need:
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar: The foundation of our sweet fudge. Make sure it’s regular granulated sugar for the best texture.
- 1/2 cup butter: Unsalted butter is usually preferred for baking to control the saltiness, but salted will work in a pinch. It adds richness and helps with the texture.
- 5 oz evaporated milk: This is key to achieving that classic creamy, smooth fudge consistency. Don’t confuse it with sweetened condensed milk!
- 2 cups marshmallow creme: The “secret ingredient” for no-fail, perfectly smooth fudge without needing a candy thermometer. It helps stabilize the mixture and adds a wonderful fluffiness.
- 8 oz white chocolate chips: These provide the base flavor and help the fudge set beautifully. High-quality white chocolate will yield the best taste. You can find them easily at your local grocery store or order online.
- Red and blue food coloring: For those vibrant patriotic layers! Be sure to use gel-based colors. Gel food coloring provides much more intense and vivid hues with less liquid, preventing your fudge from becoming watery or thin. Liquid food coloring can dilute the mixture and result in pastel or faded colors, which isn’t what we want for this bold red, white, and blue treat.
Beyond the ingredients, you’ll also need a suitable baking pan. We used an 8-inch dish for our fudge, but a 9-inch pan would work perfectly fine as well, resulting in slightly thinner pieces. The type of pan matters for easy removal.
Crucially, you will need non-stick cooking spray to lightly grease your baking dish. This ensures that your delicious fudge slides out easily once it’s set, preventing any sticking or tearing. If you opt for a glass baking dish, I highly recommend lining it with parchment paper in addition to using non-stick spray – it’s a foolproof method to guarantee easy removal. For a silicone pan, a light coating of non-stick spray is usually sufficient, allowing you to skip the parchment paper. We personally used a silicone mold and found that a quick spray of non-stick coating made the fudge pop right out with no effort at all!
How to Make This Festive Red White and Blue Fudge
You’ll find that making this spectacular 4th of July fudge is surprisingly simple, as it starts with a classic and reliable marshmallow creme fudge base. This method is known for its consistent creaminess and ease, making it a favorite for home cooks.
Step 1: Cook the Base. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, granulated sugar, and evaporated milk. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously to dissolve the sugar and prevent it from scorching. Bring the mixture to a gentle, rolling boil. Once it reaches a boil, continue to boil lightly for an additional 5 minutes, maintaining constant stirring. This step is crucial for the fudge’s final texture, ensuring it’s smooth and not grainy.
Step 2: Incorporate Creamy Goodness. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately after the 5-minute boil. Quickly add the white chocolate chips and the marshmallow creme to the hot mixture. Stir vigorously until all the chocolate chips are completely melted and the marshmallow creme is fully incorporated, resulting in a smooth, uniform, and glossy mixture. Work quickly here, as the fudge will begin to set as it cools.
Step 3: Add the Patriotic Colors. Now, this is where the real fun begins and your fudge transforms into a festive masterpiece! Carefully divide the smooth fudge mixture equally into three separate heat-safe bowls. Using your gel food coloring, tint one portion a vibrant red and another a deep blue. Leave the third portion plain white. Stir each color thoroughly until you achieve consistent, bold hues. Remember to work swiftly!
Step 4: Layer for Visual Appeal. Next, it’s time to build your patriotic layers. Carefully spoon the red mixture into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Follow this with the white layer, gently spreading it over the red. Finally, add the blue fudge on top, smoothing it out. For distinct layers, simply leave them as is. If you prefer a marbled or swirled effect, you can gently drag a knife or skewer through the layers a few times.
Step 5: Set and Serve. Allow the fudge to cool completely and set at room temperature for several hours, or even better, refrigerate it for at least 1 hour (or place it in the freezer for about an hour to speed things up). Once fully firm, slice it into squares or festive shapes using a sharp knife. Then, it’s time to serve this delightful and patriotic treat to your lucky guests. Yum!
Tips for Perfect Red, White & Blue Fudge
- Don’t Rush the Boil: Boiling the sugar, butter, and evaporated milk for the full 5 minutes ensures the sugar dissolves completely, preventing a grainy texture in your fudge.
- Work Quickly: Once you add the marshmallow creme and white chocolate chips, the fudge will start to set quickly. Have your bowls and food coloring ready to go to avoid a lumpy or difficult-to-spread mixture.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: As mentioned, gel colors provide vibrant, rich hues without adding excess liquid, which is essential for maintaining the fudge’s perfect consistency.
- Even Layers or Swirls: For distinct layers, gently spoon and spread each color. For a swirled effect, use a butter knife to gently cut through the layers in a figure-eight pattern a few times. Don’t overmix, or the colors will blend too much.
- Chill Thoroughly: Patience is key! Ensure the fudge is completely set before slicing. A well-chilled fudge will cut cleanly and hold its shape perfectly. If you’re in a hurry, the freezer is your friend for about an hour.
Great for Other Holidays As Well!
While this recipe is designed with the red, white, and blue theme for patriotic holidays, its versatility allows you to easily adapt it for other festive occasions throughout the year. The base fudge recipe is so delicious that changing the colors is all it takes to transform it into a completely new treat!
- For a festive Christmas treat, simply switch out the colors for vibrant red and green fudge. You could even add some holiday sprinkles!
- Blue and white fudge would make a beautiful and delicious treat for Hanukkah celebrations.
- And of course, don’t forget a bright green fudge for St. Patrick’s Day, perhaps with some gold sprinkles for an extra touch of luck.
- Think pastels for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or even team colors for a game day celebration! The possibilities are truly endless.
More 4th of July Treats You Will Love
If you’re looking to complete your patriotic dessert spread, here are some other fantastic 4th of July recipes that are sure to be a hit with your family and guests. These creative and delicious treats perfectly complement our red, white, and blue fudge!
- Firecracker Cupcakes for 4th of July: Explosively fun and delicious cupcakes.
- Firecracker Strawberry Pops: A refreshing and patriotic fruit treat.
- 4th of July Jello Cups: Layered jello cups that are easy to make and fun to eat.
- Red, White, and Blue Jello Shots: A fun adult treat for the grown-up celebrations.
- 4th of July Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes: Cupcakes baked right into ice cream cones for a delightful surprise.
- Patriotic Berry Trifle: A stunning layered dessert with fresh berries and creamy goodness.
Red White and Blue Fudge
Author: Jaclyn
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 5 ounce evaporated milk
- 2 cups marshmallow creme
- 8 ounce white chocolate chips
- red and blue food coloring
Instructions
-
Prepare your pan. If using a silicone mold, spray lightly with non-stick spray. If you are using a glass baking dish, line with parchment paper and spray lightly with non-stick spray as well — just to be safe.
-
In a large saucepan, heat sugar, butter and evaporated milk over medium heat, stirring frequently.
-
Once it comes to a boil, continue boiling lightly while stirring constantly for 5 additional minutes.
-
Remove from heat and add marshmallow creme and white chocolate chips. Stir until smooth and well combined.
-
Note: The fudge will begin to set fast, so work quickly through the next steps. If it starts to thicken too much, you can gently reheat it on very low heat for a few seconds to make it more pliable.
-
Divide the mixture into 3 separate heat-safe bowls. Tint one portion red, one portion blue, and leave the remaining portion white. Stir each bowl thoroughly until the color is uniform.
-
Pour the red mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly. Follow with the white layer, gently spreading it over the red. Finish by pouring and spreading the blue mixture on top.
-
If you desire a marbled effect, you can use a knife to gently swirl the colors around a few times. For a clean, layered look, simply leave the fudge as is after spreading the colors.
-
Let the fudge cool completely and set before slicing and serving. For faster setting, place the fudge in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or in the freezer for about an hour until firm. Slice into desired squares and enjoy!
Did You Make This Delicious Recipe?
We’d love to see your patriotic fudge creations! Share them with us on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and make sure to follow us on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more inspiring recipes and delightful content!
Pin Recipe
Leave A Review
