3-Ingredient Salted Caramel Fudge - The Big Man's World ® (2024)

It’s salty, sweet, smooth, and creamy, it’s salted caramel fudge! Made with just 3 ingredients and ZERO sweetened condensed milk or white chocolate!

Looking for more homemade candy? Try crunch bars, Bounty bars, almond joy, and candy grapes.

Fudge is the MVP of all desserts, but nothing comes close to my salted caramel version.

For this fudge recipe, we used cashew butter for its creamy texture and mild flavor. When paired with coconut oil and maple syrup, it has a unique flavor that’s honestly addictive.

Why I love this recipe

• Naturally vegan. No dairy-based ingredients are needed, so everyone can enjoy it.
• Easy to make. Just combine all the ingredients and refrigerate until firm. That’s all there is to it!
• Tastes like dulce de leche. For having no traditional fudge ingredients, you still get a smooth, creamy, and deeply flavorful treat that tastes JUST like dulce de leche.
• No refined sugar. Instead, this fudge is naturally sweetened with maple syrup.

Ingredients needed (and substitutions)

• Cashew butter. Smooth and drippy with no added sugar. I prefer cashew butter over other kinds since its mild flavor pairs well with the maple syrup.Making fudge for a friend with a nut allergy? I recommend using tahini over sunflower seed butter since it has a similar flavor and texture to cashew butter.
• Coconut oil. Helps hold the fudge together at room temperature. Salted butter will also work.
• Maple syrup. For sweetness and to add a caramel flavor. Agave can also work.
• Salt. Just a pinch for that lovely sweet and salty flavor.

How to make salted caramel fudge

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Prep. Line a 24-count mini muffin tin with muffin liners and set aside.

Step 2- Combine ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan over the stove top, combine all your ingredients and heat until just melted. Stir together until a smooth, glossy mixture remains.
Step 3- Shape. Divide the fudge batter evenly amongst the lined muffin tray. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until firm.

Recipe tips and variations

• Make fudge bars. Rather than portioning the batter amongst muffin tins, pour it into a square pan lined with parchment paper. When it’s set, slice the fudge with a warm, sharp knife.
• Sprinkle coarse sea salt. For a bolder sweet and salty flavor.
• Fold in some mix-ins. Like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or sprinkles for the holiday season.
• Enhance the flavor. While definitely optional, sometimes I like to fold in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a little flavor boost.
• Drizzle caramel on top. While I think there’s plenty of caramel flavor in the fudge, you could drizzle the top with more caramel sauce before letting it set in the fridge.

How to store leftovers

To store: Caramel fudge should always be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, as it will soften at room temperature. Fudge will keep fresh for up to 2 months.
To freeze: To keep the fudge fresher for longer, place it in a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 6 months.

More no-bake desserts to try

• Chickpea cookie dough– A secretly healthy sweet treat everyone will love.
• No-bake chocolate cheesecake– Layer after layer of dark chocolate flavor, each bite literally MELTS in your mouth.
• Carrot cake bars– My family is obsessed with these bars.
• Banoffee pie– Trust me, no one will be able to resist this decadent sweet treat!

Originally published July 2020, updated March 2024