Pretzel Fudge

Satisfy your sweet tooth this holiday season with a batch of Pretzel Fudge. It's the perfect combination of sweet and salty in one rich and delicious chocolate square. The perfect sweet treat to make and share!

​If you're craving another sweet and salty dessert recipe, then also try making a batch of Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies. 

I love the combination of salty and sweet! Something amazing happens when those two flavors come together. Previously on the blog, I shared a recipe for Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies. It has quickly become one of my favorite recipes. I continue to make the cookie recipe over and over again.

I have also shared it with you on Instagram. If you're not following me there, then please join the fun. I'm pretty much on there daily sharing more food and bits of my daily life.

Anyway, back to the chocolate and pretzel combination. I love it. Recently when making holiday fudge and trying to come up with different combinations. I decided to add in some pretzels to see what would happen. It was a definite hit and a favorite among my family—the decadent chocolate pairs well with the salty flavor of the pretzel. The pretzel also adds a little crunch to the fudge that changes the experience of eating this fudge.

In my family fudge is synonymous with the holidays. It's the only time that we really make it because we love to divide it into containers and give it as gifts for the holidays. For me, there is nothing better than receiving a homemade treat for the holidays. There's something personal and comforting about it. So if you need to share something sweet with someone special, I hope you'll consider trying this fudge recipe.

Let's get started! 

Ingredients You'll Need 

1. Semisweet Chocolate Chips - The star and base ingredient to form the fudge! Be sure to use semisweet to add a rich chocolatey sweetness to the homemade fudge recipe. You may use semi-sweet chocolate chips (mini or regular), baking chocolate, or chocolate bars. 
2. Butter - Use salted or unsalted butter whichever you prefer. The butter will be melted to help bring down and smooth out the melted chocolate. If you need a substitute for butter, then you may use coconut oil in the same unit of measure instead. 
3. Sweetened Condensed Milk - You will need a whole 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk to make the fudge creamy and smooth. Be sure not to substitute this ingredient for anything else. 
4. Vanilla Extract - Adds a slight vanilla flavor to the fudge. Be sure to use pure vanilla extract and not imitation vanilla. 
5. Salty Pretzels - Gives the fudge a salty and crunchy texture. Use pretzel pieces or mini pretzels. If using full size pretzels, then be sure to break them into smaller pieces before adding to the fudge mixture. 
6. Coarse Sea Salt - Use coarse sea salt to add another layer of saltiness to the fudge. You'll sprinkle the salt on top of the fudge before allowing it time to set. You may also sprinkle on a little more before serving. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

Step By Step Instructions

Begin the salty fudge recipe by preparing a square 8-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper to prevent the fudge from sticking to the pan and help it be removed easily. 

Using a double boiler or a medium saucepan with boiling water topped with a glass bowl over medium heat. Add the chocolate, butter, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Carefully watch the chocolate mixture the whole time that it's on the stovetop. 

Stir or whisk continuously until the chocolate has completely melted. Turn off the heat and carefully remove the saucepan from the stovetop.

Stir in the pretzels until combined. Using a rubber spatula transfer the fudge to the prepared square pan and top with a few additional whole pretzels.

Evenly sprinkle the top of the fudge with the coarse sea salt. Allow the decadent fudge time to set by placing it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Remove the fudge from the refrigerator and remove the fudge from the square baking pan by pulling it up on the edge of the parchment paper.

Use a sharp knife to cut the fudge into small squares and sprinkle with more sea salt before serving. Enjoy!

Storage 

Storage. It is okay to allow the chocolate pretzel fudge to sit at room temperature for about 5 days, provided that it is not in a warm temperature environment. 

Refrigerator. Store any leftover fudge in the refrigerator in an airtight container or plastic storage bag for 2 weeks. 

Freezing. Wrap the finished fudge tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap before storing it in the freezer. You may also place it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 6 months. When ready to serve, transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight or for at least 6 hours before serving. 

Want More Holiday Dessert Recipes? Try These:

• Easy Gingerbread Cake Recipe 
• Gingerbread Muffins 
• Eggnog Pound Cake Recipe
• No Bake Eggnog Cheesecake 
• Eggnog Latte
• Homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars 
• Hummingbird Coffee Cake
• Gingerbread Whoopie Pies 

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this Easy Chocolate Pretzel Fudge Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Original post date 12/28/2018. Updated 12/11/2023.