Hey friend! Remember when I told you Emma once asked if we could "turn cheesecake into candy"? I laughed it off until my sister brought cheesecake fudge to our holiday party last December. One bite and I understood exactly what Emma meant - this creamy, dreamy dessert is like eating the best cheesecake and fudge at the same time.This easy cheesecake fudge recipe combines cream cheese, white chocolate, and sweetened condensed milk into smooth, rich squares that melt in your mouth. After testing batch after batch in my kitchen, I've perfected a foolproof method that works every single time.
Why I Love This Cheesecake Fudge Recipe
This recipe became my secret weapon for holiday gift giving after I nearly burned out trying to make complicated truffles for everyone one year. I was stressed, exhausted, and ready to just buy store-bought cookies when my sister reminded me about her cheesecake fudge. I made four batches in one afternoon while Emma decorated the gift boxes, and we were done! No candy thermometer stress, no failed batches, just smooth, creamy perfection every single time. People actually told me it was the best homemade treat they'd ever received - better than my complicated attempts from previous years.
What really makes me love this recipe is how it brings Emma into the kitchen without worry. She can stir, pour, and add toppings without anything going wrong. There's no boiling sugar to burn her, no precise timing that creates panic. We laugh, we taste-test, and we create something delicious together. Plus, the way this no bake cheesecake fudge makes our kitchen smell like a fancy dessert shop? Pure magic. It's the recipe that taught me the best treats don't have to be the hardest ones.
Jump to:
- Why I Love This Cheesecake Fudge Recipe
- Ingredients for Creamy Cheesecake Fudge
- How to Make Cheesecake Fudge Step by Step
- Smart Swaps for Cheesecake Fudge
- Storing Your Cheesecake Fudge
- Equipment For Cheesecake Fudge
- Cheesecake Fudge Variations
- Top Tip
- The Secret Sauce My Neighbor Knows (But Won't Share)
- FAQ
- Creamy Dessert Perfection!
- Related
- Pairing
- Cheesecake Fudge
Ingredients for Creamy Cheesecake Fudge
Base Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Graham Cracker Crust (Optional):
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Topping Options:
- Crushed cookies
- Fresh berries
- Chocolate drizzle
- Caramel swirl
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Cheesecake Fudge Step by Step
Quick Prep:
- Line 8x8 pan with parchment paper
- Soften cream cheese completely
- Measure all ingredients
- Gather toppings if using
Easy Stovetop Method:
- Combine white chocolate, condensed milk, and butter
- Stir over low heat until melted
- Remove from heat and add cream cheese
- Beat until completely smooth
- Stir in vanilla and salt
Simple Assembly:
- Cut into squares
- Pour into prepared pan
- Smooth top with spatula
- Add toppings or swirls if desired
- Refrigerate 3-4 hours until firm
Smart Swaps for Cheesecake Fudge
Flavor Changes:
- Dark chocolate chips → White chocolate
- Almond extract → Vanilla
- Lemon zest → Plain version
- Different extracts → Try peppermint or coconut
Dietary Adjustments:
- Dairy-free cream cheese → Alters tang slightly
- Low-fat cream cheese → Not recommended (affects texture)
- Sugar-free chocolate chips → Works but less creamy
Storing Your Cheesecake Fudge
Fridge (2 weeks):
- Store in airtight container
- Layer with parchment between pieces
- Best served at room temperature
- Let sit 10 minutes before serving
Freezer (3 months):
- Wrap pieces individually
- Store in freezer bag
- Thaw in fridge overnight
- Texture stays perfect
Gift Giving:
- Stays fresh for days
- Cut into small squares
- Package in decorative tins
- Keep refrigerated until gifting
Equipment For Cheesecake Fudge
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Parchment paper
Cheesecake Fudge Variations
Strawberry Swirl:
- Warm strawberry jam slightly
- Swirl through fudge before chilling
- Top with fresh berries
- Perfect strawberry cheesecake fudge recipe
Turtle Version:
- Layer with caramel sauce
- Add chopped pecans
- Drizzle chocolate on top
- Amazing turtle cheesecake fudge recipe
Raspberry Dreams:
- Swirl raspberry preserves
- Add white chocolate drizzle
- Beautiful raspberry cheesecake fudge recipe
Oreo Delight:
- Mix crushed Oreos into base
- Press cookie pieces on top
- Extra indulgent treat
Top Tip
- Last Valentine’s Day, Emma was eager to help make treats for her classmates. We were making plain cheesecake fudge, a recipe I knew well, when she spotted the jar of freeze-dried strawberries I keep for decorating cakes. Before I could stop her, she crushed a handful and stirred them right into the warm fudge mixture. At first, I worried the moisture might ruin the texture, but as the fudge cooled, the berries created little pockets of intense strawberry flavor and delicate pink swirls that made each bite taste like a mini cheesecake explosion.
- When we cut the fudge into squares and shared it with her classmates, the reaction was priceless. Her teacher called it “the best Valentine’s treat she’d ever received,” and I could see why the freeze-dried strawberries had transformed an ordinary fudge into something extraordinary. The fruit rehydrated just enough to add a burst of flavor while keeping the texture perfect, creating a beautiful mix of creamy sweetness and tangy fruitiness.
- Since that day, we keep a stash of freeze-dried fruits on hand for fudge making. Raspberries, blueberries, and even mango work beautifully, and Emma has a favorite trick: she puts the fruit in a plastic bag and crushes it with a rolling pin, calling it “making fruit confetti for the fudge party.” What started as a simple kitchen experiment has become a little tradition, turning ordinary fudge into colorful, flavorful treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat.
The Secret Sauce My Neighbor Knows (But Won't Share)
My neighbor She makes cheesecake fudge for every church bake sale, and hers always sells out first. For two years, I've been trying to figure out why her fudge has this incredible depth of flavor that mine was missing. She'd just smile mysteriously and say "family secret" whenever anyone asked. I tried everything - different vanilla extracts, fancy chocolate brands, even a pinch of espresso powder. Nothing matched She's magic.
Then one Saturday morning, Emma and I were making a batch when she knocked over my spice cabinet reaching for sprinkles. Out tumbled everything, including a jar of cream cheese powder I'd forgotten I owned. Some landed right in our melted fudge mixture. I was about to throw it out when Emma said, "Mom, remember when you tell me accidents can be experiments?" So we stirred it in, added an extra tablespoon of regular cream cheese to balance it, and poured it into the pan.
FAQ
What is the secret to perfect fudge?
The secret to perfect fudge is temperature control and quality ingredients. For this cheesecake fudge recipe, using softened cream cheese and melting chocolate over low heat prevents graininess. Never rush the melting process - patience creates that smooth, creamy texture. Full-fat ingredients work best since they melt more evenly. The biggest mistake people make is using high heat which can cause the chocolate to seize. Let your fudge chill completely undisturbed for the best texture.
Where is the world's best fudge?
While Mackinac Island in Michigan claims to be the fudge capital of America, the world's best fudge is honestly the batch you make at home! Store-bought fudge often contains stabilizers and preservatives that affect texture and taste. This homemade cheesecake fudge beats any commercial version because you control the quality of ingredients. Emma insists our kitchen makes "world champion fudge" - and honestly, fresh fudge made with love really does taste better than anything you can buy!
Which is the most famous cheesecake?
New York-style cheesecake is the most famous, known for its dense, rich texture made with cream cheese. Junior's Cheesecake in Brooklyn has been legendary since 1950. However, this cheesecake fudge captures those same tangy, creamy flavors in an easier format. You get that signature cream cheese taste without baking or worrying about cracks. It's like enjoying New York cheesecake in convenient, portable squares!
What not to do when making fudge?
Never use high heat when making fudge - it causes chocolate to seize and become grainy. Don't skip softening the cream cheese first, as cold cream cheese creates lumps that won't smooth out. Avoid stirring too vigorously which incorporates air bubbles. Don't cut your fudge before it's completely chilled - it needs that full setting time. And never use spreadable cream cheese instead of brick-style for this recipe - the texture just won't set properly.
Creamy Dessert Perfection!
Now you have all the secrets to creating smooth, dreamy cheesecake fudge that’s sure to impress everyone you share it with. From carefully selecting high-quality chocolate to achieve that silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture, to Emma’s genius trick of adding crushed freeze-dried fruit for bursts of flavor and vibrant color, this recipe shows how simple ingredients can come together to make something truly extraordinary. Each step, from gently melting the chocolate to folding in the cream cheese and fruit, ensures that every bite is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced.
Craving no-bake desserts? Our Easy Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes Recipe is creamy, smooth, and utterly irresistible, perfect for any occasion. If you love fudge, you’ll adore our Healthy Mini Lemon Cheesecakes Recipe, packed with rich, decadent chocolate flavor in every bite. For those who enjoy fruity sweetness, our Best Frosted Coffee Brownies Recipe are soft, tender, and melt in your mouth. Each of these treats is simple to make at home, so you can whip them up anytime a sweet craving strikes. They’re perfect for sharing with friends, family, or simply indulging yourself.
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Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cheesecake Fudge
Cheesecake Fudge
Equipment
- 1 8x8 inch baking pan (Line with parchment paper)
- 1 Medium saucepan (For melting chocolate and condensed milk)
- 1 Mixing bowl (For combining ingredients)
- 1 Spatula (For stirring and smoothing fudge)
- 1 Parchment paper (Optional: to line pan)
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cream cheese - softened
- 3 cups White chocolate chips
- 14 oz Sweetened condensed milk - 1 can
- 3 tablespoon Butter
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- pinch Salt
Optional Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoon Butter - melted
- 2 tablespoon Sugar
Instructions
- Line pan with parchment, soften cream cheese, measure ingredients
- Combine white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and butter over low heat until melted
- Remove from heat, add cream cheese, beat until smooth, stir in vanilla and salt
- Pour into pan, smooth top, add toppings or swirls
- Refrigerate 3–4 hours until firm, then cut into squares to serve
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