Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge (Easy Recipe) (2024)

We originally got the idea for a spicy chocolate fudge when a friend gifted us a delicious tin of spicy chocolates one year. There is something magical that happens when chocolate and spice come together.

If you’ve ever had Mexican hot chocolate, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And, it’s no secret that we love the sweet and spicy combo.

Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge (Easy Recipe) (1)

We have a lot of delicious hot sauce recipes on this site, as well as some tasty dinner recipes that incorporate our favorite spices and peppers. But, we really wanted to bring a spicy dessert to the table.

This recipe for spicy Mexican chocolate fudge is the perfect melt-in-your-mouth sweet treat for any lover of spicy food.

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Why you’ll love this recipe

  • It marries the flavors of chocolate and peppers together for a sweet treat that’s unique and tasty.
  • We use allspice instead of cinnamon, which works really well with the cayenne pepper and adds a different level of flavor to this fudge.
  • It can easily be packed into a tin or given as a gift for any spice-loving friend or family member.
  • It’s very easy to make and doesn’t require any baking. The majority of time is spent allowing the fudge to set.
  • You can really level up the spice by using habanero or ghost pepper powder instead of cayenne, if you dare.
  • If you want to make chocolate fudge without the kick of heat, simply leave out the cayenne pepper.
  • The recipe can easily be doubled for a holiday or gathering. Just make sure you tell everyone it’s spicy fudge!
  • You can freeze this recipe for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge for one day before cutting and serving.
Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge (Easy Recipe) (2)

Ingredients needed

This is a simple fudge recipe that uses easy-to-find ingredients. You may even have most of them in the pantry!

  • 4cupsof semi sweet baking chips – Using a high-quality chip is essential for a good fudge. I like using Ghirardelli.
  • 1cansweetened condensed milk– Be sure to use condensed milk and not evaporated milk for this recipe. These two items are commonly mixed up, and evaporated milk will not yield a good fudge.
  • 3tbsp.butter – You can use either salted or unsalted butter in this recipe. If using salted butter, you may want to use less sea salt for garnish on top.
  • ¼tspcayenne pepper – Use a hotter pepper if you’d like to kick up the heat. Or, leave it out altogether for a simple (non-spicy) fudge.
  • 1tspallspice or cinnamon – This recipe is traditionally made with cinnamon. But, I find allspice adds a unique flavor that sets this recipe apart from the rest.
  • 1tspvanilla extract
  • Sea salt(coarse), for garnish

How to make homemade spicy chocolate fudge

This recipe for spicy Mexican chocolate fudge is very easy to make. It only takes about 15 minutes of prep work, and then most of the time is spent waiting for the fudge to set in the fridge. And, it feels like it takes forever when you just want to dig in!

Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge (Easy Recipe) (3)

Before you begin: Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

  1. Start by adding your baking chips, butter, and condensed milk to a microwave safe bowl.
  2. Microwave at 30-second internals, stirring continuously until the mixture is well combined.
  3. Add in your vanilla, cayenne pepper, and allspice.
  4. Mix until well combined and immediately pour into the lined baking dish.
  5. Spread out evenly and sprinkle with salt.
  6. Place in the fridge and allow it to set for up to 4 hours.
  7. Cut into even squares and serve. Enjoy!

Tip: Do not refrigerate this fudge, as it can dry out. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature and consume within a week (if it lasts that long).

Variations and substitutions

We like this recipe just as it is. But, there are a few substitutions you can make if you want to mix it up. Here are some ideas:

  • Use cinnamon instead of allspice for a different flavor.
  • Use your own fresh cayenne pepper, or substitute the cayenne for ghost pepper powder for an even spicier fudge.
  • Sprinkle a bit of homemade habanero sugar on top along with the sea salt before setting.
  • Mix in chopped walnuts for a bit of crunch and a nutty flavor, or some shredded coconut.
  • Use white chocolate chips instead of traditional cocoa chips for a different variation that’s just as tasty.
Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge (Easy Recipe) (4)

Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge (Easy Recipe) (5)

Spicy Chocolate Mexican Fudge

This spicy chocolate fudge is the perfect sweet treat with just a kick of heat.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Keyword: Dessert, Fudge, spicy

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Setting time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 squares

Equipment

  • 1 8×8 or Larger Baking Dish

  • Parchment paper

Ingredients

  • 4 cups of semi sweet baking chips
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk NOT evaporated milk
  • 3 tbsp. butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp allspice or cinnamon
  • sea salt coarse, for garnish

Instructions

  • Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

  • Start by adding your baking chips, butter, and condensed milk to a microwave safe bowl.

  • Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring continuously until well combined. Make sure the chocolate chips are completely melted and smooth.

  • Add in your vanilla, cayenne pepper, and allspice.

  • Mix until well combined and immediately pour into your baking dish lined with parchment paper.

  • Spread the fudge mixture out evenly and sprinkle with sea salt.

  • Place in the fridge and allow to set for at least 4 hours.

  • Cut into even squares and serve! Enjoy!

Notes

Do not refrigerate this fudge. Store it in an airtight container and consume within a week. If it lasts that long.

Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge (Easy Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What makes Mexican chocolate different? ›

Mexican chocolate is made with cacao, sugar, and cinnamon. It boasts a grainier texture than other types of chocolate thanks to all of the extra added sugar. While cacao nibs, sugar, and cinnamon form the base of traditional Mexican chocolate, you may also see it made with almonds, vanilla, or even chiles.

What's the difference between chocolate fudge and hot fudge? ›

Hot fudge is made by boiling together cream, sugar, chocolate, and sometimes butter—the traditional ingredients for fudge—into what is essentially just an undercooked, unset version of the confection. It differs from plain old chocolate sauce by virtue of being gooier and more viscous.

What is hot chocolate fudge made of? ›

We use hot chocolate mix, sweetened condensed milk, semisweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips to create this fudge—that's it! For the hot chocolate mix, any kind that you have and enjoy drinking will do.

Why is Mexican hot chocolate better? ›

Mexican hot chocolate includes various spices, including cinnamon, cloves, and ancho chili pepper. These ingredients give it a unique flavor that is sweet and slightly spicy. The chocolate used in Mexican hot chocolate is typically dark chocolate, which has a higher cocoa content than milk chocolate or white chocolate.

Why is Mexican chocolate spicy? ›

At its most basic, Mexican chocolate is made from coarsely ground cacao, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Chiles, nuts, and spices can also be worked into the mix, resulting in a complex, intense flavor.

What makes fudge taste like fudge? ›

Fudge is a type of confectionery made with sugar, butter, and milk that often includes cocoa powder or melted chocolate. It has a creamy texture and can be flavored with various ingredients such as nuts, fruits, or spices. Fudge may also contain marshmallow creme or condensed milk to give it an even richer flavor.

Why does hot fudge taste so good? ›

Cream or milk, sugar, and butter are slowly boiled down until slightly thickened and light caramel-colored. This boiling-down process not only gives the sauce it's great gooey texture, but also contributes that special “fudgey” taste to the chocolate.

Why does hot fudge taste different than chocolate syrup? ›

In the simplest terms, it all comes down to viscosity — hot fudge is thicker than both chocolate sauce and chocolate syrup, with a richer, more decadent chocolate flavor.

What is McDonald's hot fudge made of? ›

Hot Fudge Topping

Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Nonfat Milk, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa (processed With Alkali), Corn Syrup, Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Polyglycerol Esters Of Fatty Acids. Contains: Milk, Soy.

What is Dairy Queen hot fudge made of? ›

Artificially Flavored Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream: Milkfat And Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Whey, Mono And Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Guar Gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Chocolate Flavored Hot Fudge Topping: Corn Syrup, Skim Milk, Sugar, Hydrogenated (Palm Kernel or Coconut Oil), ...

Why is fudge called fudge? ›

The story goes, a baker was trying to make chocolate caramels. However, they didn't get the recipe quite right. When the candy came out as the creamy treat we know today, they said, “Oh, fudge!” and that's how the candy got its name. The first recorded mention of fudge came from 1888.

Why is Abuelita hot chocolate so good? ›

For generations, Nestlé Abuelita Authentic Mexican Style Hot Chocolate Mix has been an essential part of the Hispanic kitchen. Its perfect balance of cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon gives it a distinctively delicious “calor de hogar” taste.

Why does Abuelita hot chocolate taste different? ›

Mexican hot chocolate has a different taste than other hot chocolates, as it has a bold chocolate taste and incorporates spices and flavors like cinnamon. Its unique tablet form creates a frothy and rich drinking experience.

What is the most popular hot chocolate in Mexico? ›

Nestlé Abuelita Hot Chocolate Tablets

This is one of the most famous brands of hot chocolate from Mexico.

What is special about Mexican chocolate? ›

Compared to milk or semi-sweet chocolate, Mexican chocolate is minimally processed. It still retains much of its rustic flavor and texture, and the bitter cacao bean flavor is easy to taste. As a result, it is not necessary to add any other ingredients to it.

What's the difference between Mexican hot chocolate and regular? ›

Mexican hot chocolate contains spices like cinnamon and chili and chopped bittersweet chocolate to create a very rich but less sweet flavor. Whereas traditional American hot chocolate is usually made with a combination of cocoa powder and/or chocolate and tends to be more on the sweet side.

Why is Mexican hot chocolate different? ›

While many may associate hot chocolate with a rich, sweet flavor, Mexican hot chocolate often contains a surprising ingredient - spicy pepper. This addition of pepper, typically in the form of chili powder or cayenne, adds a unique and bold flavor to the drink.

Why is Mexican candy so different? ›

Meanwhile, the Mexican candy we know and love relies on salt to balance out the sweetness. Salty ingredients like nuts, sesame seeds, and chamoy (salted and fermented sour fruit, for our international friends) add a layer of complexity to Mexican candy that you won't find in other cultures.

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