Our Most Saved Dessert Of 2024

Save room for dessert. For many of us, that's just not that hard to do. But having the patience to wait for dessert is a completely different story. How many times have we wanted to slice into that homemade Italian Cream Cake or sneak a spoonful of that chocolate trifle well before it's time to officially enjoy dessert?

From old-fashioned favorites to modern spins on classics, we talk a lot about desserts in the Southern Living office. And as each season rolls around, our food editors and Test Kitchen professionals spend hours whipping up all different recipes, from fruity fall pies and summer cobblers to dozens of Christmas cookies and our annual Big White Cake. And while we love all kinds of desserts, it was interesting to see the top recipe our readers saved in 2024 was one of the simplest, our Foolproof Fudge.

Why It's Called "Foolproof"

It's simple, reliable, and you really can't mess this recipe up. Seriously. This truly is the easiest fudge you'll ever make for a few key reasons:

• The simple equipment: Unlike most other fudge recipes, this one doesn't require a candy thermometer. Why do you usually need one? A candy thermometer is often a crucial tool in fudge-making because if you heat the fudge too much (or not enough), you will not be happy with your final product. Our fudge has a secret ingredient that makes this a cinch.
• The short ingredient list: Our recipe only calls for four ingredients, which includes sweetened condensed milk, Kosher salt, semisweet chocolate chips, and vanilla extract.
• The easy to follow directions: This fudge is unfussy and comes together in three simple steps and with just about 20 minutes of hands-on time. The hardest part about this recipe is having the patience to wait for your fudge to chill. (Be prepared, a minimum of 2 hours is required.)

Why This Fudge Is A 5-Star Recipe

The first time our food editors tasted this fudge, they raved about it. However, the real test is what Southern Living readers say, and our audience shared only the best reviews. Here are just a few comments:

• "I've been using this recipe for fudge as long as I can remember. It's a winner on all levels.... it's easy to make, everyone loves it, a terrific last minute gift, and great when teaching the little ones to cook. Plus, due to the fact that I'll add something different to change up the flavors, my family get a new fudge Everytime it's made."
• "I've been making this fudge recipe for over 30 years, minus the salt. I sometimes add walnuts, pecans, dried cranberries, a bit of peanut butter, a couple of tablespoons of brandy, or a couple of drops of peppermint extract. The fudge is always popular."
• "My family has made this fudge from this same recipe for many years. Everybody LOVES it and it really makes for an affordable gift!! Who doesn't like chocolate fudge?! This is an "Heirloom Recipe" for sure!"

What Makes It Extra-Special

• You can change it up: Our recipe is just the starting point for the various flavors that can make this recipe look and taste entirely different. While we think it's delicious as is, our editors had some fun adding in chopped nuts, cookie crumbles, candy morsels, and even pretzel pieces. Readers shared that they loved mixing in peanut butter, too.
• You can gift it: Not only does this fudge make a delicious dessert, but it's great for giving to friends and family, whether for homemade holiday presents or host gifts.
• You saved it most: There are recipes we consider good. And then there are recipes we call keepers, which are so incredible we want to hold onto them forever. Foolproof fudge was the top saved dessert of 2024, which means our readers liked it enough to want to make it again and again.