Rich Butter Pecan Fudge is made in a flash using an Instant Pot! This Instant Pot fudge recipe saves time and fuss; no candy thermometer or waiting around. It’s a fast and fabulous recipe especially for the holiday season.
Everyone loves homemade fudge and making it in the Instant Pot is a cinch. This Butter Pecan Fudge recipe is made with browned butter pecans giving the fudge a rich nutty flavor. It’s perfect for last minute holiday gifts because it’s so easy.
This Instant Pot dessert recipe is fast too. The Instant Pot is used in the saute mode to brown the butter and combine the ingredients without needing to monitor to a soft ball phase as when it’s made on the stove top (the fudge is not pressure cooked). This is an easy fudge recipe for a buttery fudge making it a holiday staple.
It’s great to have a fast alternative to traditional fudge tucked in with your favorite Instant Pot recipes. It takes candy making to a whole new place. Butter Pecan Fudge is a great combo with homemade Divinity and Rum Balls for holiday sweet treat platters.
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Recipe Ingredients Notes
Detailed quantities included in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
- Butter. You’ll use 3 tablespoons of butter. This is melted in the Instant Pot then browned for a rich nutty flavor.
- Pecans. Chopped pecans and pecan halves are both used. The chopped pecans are browned in the butter and added to the fudge. The pecan halves are added on top; this is optional.
- Sweetened condensed milk. This is the sweetener for the fudge but also adds creaminess, flavor, simplifies the recipe by removing steps to melt sugar, is a binding agent creating a smooth and chewy texture.
- Vanilla Melting wafers. For this Butter Pecan Fudge recipe we use white melting wafers. They have a nice vanilla flavor and melt quickly to a smooth consistency. We used and recommend Ghirardelli melting wafers. They have a very natural flavor and create great results. These work better than white chocolate chips which can be very finicky and seize (dry out) during cooking ruining the homemade fudge.
- Cinnamon. This adds a nice complementary flavor to the pecans.
- Vanilla Extract. Adds a homey vanilla flavor.
How to make Instant Pot Fudge
STEP 1. Preparation
Line a 9-inch by 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper allowing some of the paper to overhang the edges. The overhang allows for easy removal from the pan for cutting.
STEP 2. Melt butter
Set the Instant Pot on the SAUTE setting. Add the butter to the inner pot and cook until melted (photo 1).
Add the chopped pecans and cook, stirring constantly for 1.5 minutes or until the butter is starting to brown (solids will begin to appear in the butter when it has browned) (photo 2). Do not overcook.
Turn off the Instant Pot.
STEP 3. Make the butter pecan fudge
Add the condensed milk, vanilla melting wafers, cinnamon and vanilla extract to the Instant Pot (photos 3-4). Allow to sit for a few minutes for the melting wafers to begin to melt. Stir until the melting wafers have fully melted and all the ingredients are fully incorporated (photo 5).
STEP 4. Chill & Cut
Spoon the fudge into the prepared pan evenly distributing it. Add the pecan halves on top (if using)(photo 6).
Allow to sit 5-10 minutes. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours or until fully set. NOTE: allowing it to set before chilling prevents condensation from forming on the container lid or covering.
When set, remove the fudge with the parchment paper edges and place on a cutting board (photo 7).
Run the blade of a large sharp knife under hot water and dry (this help easily cut the fudge). Cut into pieces. If cutting into 1-inch individual pieces, cut 9 rows and 9 columns; you’ll yield 81 pieces. Two inch pieces will yield 20-25 pieces.
Variations
Chocolate wafer or chocolate chips. You can swap out the vanilla melting wafers for either chocolate melting wafers (Ghirardelli makes both milk chocolate and dark chocolate) or chocolate chips for chocolate flavor.
Swap in walnuts with chocolate wafers. Swap in chopped walnuts and chocolate wafers for a different flavor Instant Pot fudge.
For thicker fudge: you can make this in a large loaf pan if desired.
How to Store
Once the fudge has set and been cut it can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped snugly in plastic wrap. It can be stored at room temperature in a cool dry location (out of direct sunlight) for up to 2 weeks. It may be better after that but the consistency may not be as good.
If you prefer firmer fudge or are in a hot, humid location it can be stored in the refrigerator (also in an airtight container or wrapped).
How to Freeze
Wrap snugly with plastic wrap then in foil or place in an airtight freezer safe container. Store up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.
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Recipe
Easy Butter Pecan Fudge (Instant Pot Fudge)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 14-ounce can condensed milk
- 20 ounces white melting wafers
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup pecan halves for topping
Instructions
- Line a 9-inch by 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper allowing some of the paper to overhang the edges. The overhang allows for easy removal from the pan for cutting.
- Set the Instant Pot on the SAUTE setting. Add the butter and cook until melted.3 tablespoons butter
- Add the chopped pecans and cook, stirring constantly for 1.5 minutes or until the butter is starting to brown (solids will begin to appear in the butter when it has browned). Do not overcook.Turn off the Instant Pot.1 cup chopped pecans
- Add the condensed milk, white chocolate chips, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Allow to sit for a few minutes to allow the melting wafers to begin to melt. Stir until the melting wafers have fully melted and all the ingredients are fully incorporated.1 14-ounce can condensed milk, 20 ounces white melting wafers, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spoon the fudge into the prepared pan evenly distributing it. Add the pecan halves on top.Allow to sit 5-10 minutes. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours or until fully set. NOTE: allowing it to set before chilling prevents condensation from forming on the container lid or covering.⅓ cup pecan halves
- When set, remove the fudge with the parchment paper edges and place on a cutting board. Run the blade of a large sharp knife under hot water and dry (this help easily cut the fudge). Cut into pieces. If cutting into 1-inch individual pieces, cut 9 rows and 9 columns; you'll yield 81 pieces. Two inch pieces will yield 20-25 pieces.
Andrea says
Making this delicious butter pecan fudge in the instant pot is genius. It’s easy to make and I am loving the flavor.
Melissa says
I feel like making fudge in the instant pot has just changed my life! This makes it so convenient and simple. And the fudge turned out amazing!!
Jessica says
This fudge recipe is my new go-to for the holidays!! So easy and the best flavor!
Sha says
I had fun making this butter pecan fudge! So easy and addicting. The guests enjoyed it!
Diane V says
Who knew how easy this is to make in the IP! Such a great recipe and my butter pecan family loved it!
Dannii says
I love anything with pecans, but this was incredible. I best fudge I have ever had.
Alison Corey says
This Easy Butter Pecan Fudge is a decadent delight! Creamy, rich, and studded with the perfect crunch of pecans, each bite is a heavenly experience. A simple recipe that yields impressive results – this fudge is an absolute crowd-pleaser and my new favorite treat!
Ann says
This makes for a great gift. Thank you!
Traci says
What a fun recipe to make with the family! 5 stars for the detailed tips and simple Instant Pot cooking instructions. Thanks to you, I will be making fudge for everyone this Christmas! So easy and delicious … thank you!
Sara Welch says
Whipped up a batch of these for an afternoon treat, and they do not disappoint! Turned out smooth, creamy and delicious; the best way to cure my sweet tooth, indeed!