Fast and Foolproof Holiday Fudge!

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is fudge. I love fudge. LOVE IT. But let's be honest--who has time (and a fancy candy thermometer) to stand around the kitchen making fudge all day, hoping it will set after all that hard work?

I don't. Just ask my daughter. She's already mad at me for not spending enough time with a crayon in my hand.

So here's a very quick and easy holiday fudge you can whip up and pass out to friends and neighbors! You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry/cupboard.

Foolproof Holiday Fudge

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (14oz) can of sweetened condensed milk

Dash of salt

3/4 cup crushed up candy canes (more or less--it's up to you)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine chocolate chips, salt and condensed milk and microwave on HIGH for 2 1/2 minutes, or until the chips are melted. Check on the mixture and stir after about a minute and a half.

Add the vanilla extract and crushed candy canes (save a little to sprinkle on top) and dump the fudgy goodness into a wax paper-lined 9x9 pan. Spread evenly, sprinkle the remaining candy cane bits on top and pop in the fridge for about 2 hours. Once it has set, cut it into cute little fudge squares, arrange it on a holiday plate or platter and pretend it required more effort!

You can mix up the ingredients a bit by adding nuts, toffee bits, etc. instead of candy canes. You can also change it up with milk chocolate chips or white chocolate chips, mint chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips. Have fun and be creative!

Enjoy all those Christmas treats, friends; and feel free to share your favorite holiday recipes with us!

Snacking Merrily,