Chocolate Orange Fudge

Marg (CaymanDesigns)'s Note:

This is so easy and yet it is probably the best fudge I've ever had. I usually omit the pecans. My niece used this recipe, substituting 3-4 drops peppermint extract for the orange zest, and earned a blue ribbon at the county fair. Even my 12-16 year old 4H girls had no problems making it. Note: make sure you use fresh orange zest. Dried will make the fudge bitter. Also make sure you don't get any of the bitter white part of the rind when you are zesting your orange.

• Total Time: 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 24

• 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 2 teaspoons orange zest (see notes above)

Directions:

1. Line a 8x8x2-inch baking pan with lightly buttered waxed paper or aluminum foil.
2. Set aside.
3. Melt chocolate chips with condensed milk in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl in the microwave.
4. Stir until smooth.
5. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and grated orange peel.
6. Spread in prepared dish and chill until firm.
7. Carefully remove fudge from pan using the edges of the foil.
8. Cut into squares.
9. Store covered in refrigerator.

Reviews

[MNCupcake]

This fudge tastes like a Cadbury Chocolate orange! I added a tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp orange extract and 2 Tablespoons of butter. Delicious!

[truebrit]

Incredible!!! So many people raved about this fudge (which I have made twice in a week already!) and I felt a twinge of guilt about the fact that it only took about five minutes to prepare, from start to finish!!! I have made fudge in the past which entailed a lot of time and fuss, and all I can say is that nothing compared to the ease, simplicity and taste of this recipe! Instead of using orange zest, I used 1 1/2 tsp of orange extract, and it tasted just like Chocolate Orange confectionery that can be bought in the candy section of grocery stores! (but softer)! I placed the condensed milk and Chocolate chips in a bowl, mixed it together, then nuked it in the microwave at power level 7 for three minutes. After mixing it with a wooden spoon until it was smooth and blended, I added the extract. So easy! This recipe will readily lend itself to experimentation. (and I WILL be experimenting!) Maybe next time I'll use white chocolate chips with almond extract, or maybe peanut butter chips! Thank you so much for posting, Marg!

[thehungrykiwi]

Fantastic, whipped this up this morning before work. Made in microwave as per another reviewers suggestion 3 minutes on 70% power. Didn't even stir during this time. Mixed together beautifully. I used about a cup each of milk and dark chocolate and half a cup on peppermint chocolate & about 1/2 tsp peppermint essence. Its in the fridge chilling now & the whole process took only 5 minutes. From the taste on the spoon this is going to be great. Is supposed to be a gift for this afternoon, hope it makes it there!