This adorable and Easy Circus Animal Cookie Fudge uses just a few ingredients and can be made entirely in the microwave. So rich, creamy and full of fudgy flavor, it’s a great recipe for gifts, parties, and dessert platters during the holiday season.
Easy Animal Cookie Fudge
This recipe for easy homemade animal cookie fudge is so simple. All you need is sweetened condensed milk, vanilla chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and circus animal cookies. It’s made in the microwave – no candy thermometer or double boiler is necessary.
But, just because it’s simple does not mean this fudge is lacking in flavor. It’s so rich and creamy, lightly sweetened squares of white chocolate that melt in your mouth. And with any number of different variations to try, you will find yourself making this all holiday season long.
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If you’re on a fudge kick, be sure to try our Mint Chocolate Fudge, Easy Chocolate Fudge, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge.
Key Ingredients
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – be sure you are not using evaporated milk as they are entirely different ingredients and evaporated milk will not work.
- Chocolate Chips – we suggest using white chocolate for this recipe. Don’t use the dipping bark, it needs to be white chocolate chips. We also have provided a few variations that call for using different types of chocolate chips but the Ghiradelli and Guittard White Chocolate Chips with result in the best fudge. Make a few different batches and find out what you like best.
- Vanilla Extract – pure vanilla extract tastes best.
- Butter – this gets melted with the chocolate.
- Circus Animal Cookies – these will need to be coarsely chopped.
How to Make Animal Cookie Fudge
- Heat the sweetened condensed milk. In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the sweetened condensed milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute, or until bubbling.
- Add the white chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Remove from the microwave, add in the chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla and stir until smooth. If the chocolate chips aren’t fully melted, heat in microwave again for 20 seconds and stir until all the chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is completely smooth.
- Pour into pan. Line a 9″x9″ or 8″x8″ square pan with parchment paper and pour the fudge mixture in.
- Add Animal Cookies. Cut them into smaller chunks to sprinkle on top.
- Cool. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours before cutting.
- Cut into squares. To cut the fudge, fill a tall cup with hot water and place a sharp knife into warm water. Wipe the blade dry before cutting, then cut into 1″ squares, wiping the blade frequently between cuts.
- Serve or store. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes – just place the sweetened condensed milk into a small sauce pot and heat over medium heat until bubbling. Be sure to stir constantly with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula so that it does not burn. Once bubbling, turn off the heat and add the chocolate chips.
Stir until completely melted, then add in the vanilla extract and transfer to your prepared pan.
Homemade Fudge lasts for quite a while, since all of the ingredients are very shelf-stable. You can store up to 5 days at room temperature, a month in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Yes! It freezes great. We suggest cutting into cubes, then freezing flat on a sheet tray for at least 30 minutes. Once chilled, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bags and store for up to 3 months.
No! It does not work – you must make this chocolate fudge with condensed milk.
Storing Fudge
- Room Temperature: store in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
- Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- Freezer: store frozen, either in freezer bags or an airtight container, for up to 3 months.
Animal Cookie Fudge Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup circus animal cookies, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Line a 9" x 9" (or 8" x 8") square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the white chocolate chips to a medium-sized mixing bowl. In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the sweetened condensed milk, Heat on high for 1 minute, then remove from the microwave and stir. Remove from the microwave and add to the bowl of chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
- If the chocolate chips aren't fully melted, heat in microwave again for 20 seconds and stir until all the chips are melted and the mixture is completely smooth.
- Add the vanilla extract, stir, and pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the chopped Animal Cookies on top of the fudge.
- Refrigerate until set before cutting. To cut the fudge, fill a tall cup with hot water and place a sharp knife into warm water. Wipe the blade dry before cutting, then cut into 1" squares, wiping the blade frequently between cuts.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, for the fridge for up to 1 month. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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More Easy Holiday Candy Recipes
- Best Christmas Candy Recipes
- Pretzel Toffee
- Buttery English Toffee
- Peanut Brittle Recipe
- Peanut Butter Cups
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Homemade Caramels
- Coconut Caramel Popcorn
- More Christmas Recipes
- More Candy Recipes
This Easy Animal Cookie Fudge is light and creamy, so sweet, and melts in your mouth. It’s a vanilla fudge recipe topped with adorable Circus Animal Cookies. Plus, all you’ll need to make it are just 3 ingredients and a microwave. This homemade fudge recipe will be ready in about 10 minutes.
Categories:
Candy, Christmas, Desserts, Fall Recipes, Gluten-Free, Holiday Favorites, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Vegetarian, Winter Recipes,
This was so fun to make! Animal cookies should be added to everything if you ask me. They’re so darn cute.
I agree, I can’t get enough of them! So stinking cute!
So fun!!! I’m going to make a batch for Valentine’s Day!!
Yes, perfect for Valentines Day!
How cute are these!? What a fun idea
Great fudge recipe, super festive and easy for kids to help with! Thanks.
Yes, it’s made in the microwave so it’s super kid friendly!
Oh wow, fudge and zoo cookies?! I can’t think of a better way to share my all time favorite cookie. Hmmmm…
I looooove these cute cookies too!