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    Home » Recipes » Kids Can Make

    Published: Mar 24, 2023 Modified: Oct 17, 2023 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links.

    Armpit Fudge

    Jump to Recipe

    Don't let the name fool you because this armpit fudge recipe is actually a simple fudge in a bag, made using your own body heat and hands to knead it to completion.

    a spoonful of soft chocolate fudge resting over a bowl with more fudge inside it.

    While I wish that I could take credit for this recipe, I honestly can't. This is one of the Girls Scouts camping recipes that has been around for decades. And that's because it's so easy and perfect for bringing with you on those outdoorsy adventures.

    The name may not sound appealing, but you have to admit it's intriguing because you're here and reading all about it. Girl Scout snack ideas are usually pretty memorable like that.

    For more fun camping recipes, make sure to check out my Pizza Dough In a Bag.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🐄 Dairy Free Version
    • 🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • ⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Storage
    • 💭 FAQs
    • ❤️ More Recipes Kids Can Make
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. The kids can make it. This is a recipe all about the youth! No sharp objects, heating elements, or heavy equipment are needed. They'll just need a pair of warm hands and a plastic baggie.
    2. It's portable. Bag up everyone's portioned ingredients before heading out, make the fudge at home, and bring it with you in a cooler, or just pack up the ingredients and measure later. There are so many ways you can bring it with you on your next hike or get-together.
    3. Easy clean up. The mixing bowl and serving bowl are one and the same. Eat your fudge right out of the bag or scoop it onto a plate or in a bowl and enjoy it that way.

    🥘 Ingredients

    labeled ingredients needed to make armpit fudge.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Butter- You will want to use some butter for this recipe. Margarine can work in a pinch, but the texture and flavor are best with butter. Use salted or unsalted butter, depending on what you have on hand.

    Cocoa Powder- Use some unsweetened cocoa powder (the baking cocoa) to give your fudge a rich chocolate taste. Milk chocolate cocoa powder and dark chocolate cocoa powder both taste really great with this recipe!

    Powdered Sugar- This is the base of the recipe and what makes the fudge thick and sweet without changing the smooth consistency.

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    🐄 Dairy Free Version

    To make this recipe dairy free, substitute the cream cheese for vegan cream cheese like Tofutti or opt for pureed silken tofu. Both will give you a similar creamy texture without the dairy.

    Vegan butter like Earths Balance can be used in place of the butter. The remaining ingredients can remain the same. Double-check for allergen warnings on the labels.

    Follow the recipe steps exactly as requested and make sure to avoid any cross-contamination with anyone using the dairy version (this means not sharing the same measuring spoons and keeping hands and work areas clean).

    🥣 Recipe Add-Ins

    If desired, you can add in 1-2 tablespoons of rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or peanut butter cups for a sweeter treat. Chopped walnuts make for a nice add-in too, but you'll want to avoid them if anyone has a nut allergy.

    🔪 Instructions

    Step 1: If desired, open a zipper topped baggie and place it into a cup, fold the top over, and push the bag into the cup so that it's now an opened circle. This will make it much easier to add ingredients without the mess and hassle of the bag falling down.

    cocoa powder and powedered sugar in a zipper topped bag folded over a cup.

    Step 2: Add your cocoa powder and powdered sugar to the baggie.

    a zipper topped baggie folded over a cup with all of the ingredients for chocolate fudge inside.

    Step 3: Now add in the vanilla, cream cheese, and butter.

    A sealed zipper topped baggie with all of the fudge ingredients inside.

    Step 4: Remove as much air from the bag as you can and seal it closed.

    a zipper topped bag with partially mixed chocolate fudge inside.

    Step 5: Knead the bag between your warm hands for about 5 minutes. Warm body heat can help to melt the butter and cream cheese faster.

    a zipper topped bag full of chocolate fudge.

    It will turn into a dark creamy consistency when it's ready.

    soft chocolate armpit fudge in a bowl with sliced strawberries to the side.

    There may still be a few small unmixed chunks. This is okay!

    Step 6: Eat straight from the baggie or place it into a bowl for serving.

    Dig in and enjoy!

    a spoonful of soft chocolate fudge resting over a bowl with more fudge inside it.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    The consistency of this fudge will not be like the fudge you usually picture in your mind- those thick hard cut squares of chocolate. Instead, this fudge is thinner than that and more like a thickened chocolate frosting.

    The fudge is pretty rich and filling, I enjoy serving it up with fresh berries to help cut down on the sweetness.

    ⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions

    You can make this fudge in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. The fudge will solidify as it ages, making it easier to cut into squares (if you choose to do so).

    👩🏻‍🍳 Storage

    Keep any uneaten fudge in a labeled, airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    💭 FAQs

    Why is it called armpit fudge?

    The Girl Scouts gave this fudge its name after several cold campers decided that their armpits would be a safe warm spot to hold their bags of fudge. That said, your hands will usually work just fine.

    What size baggie should I use for fudge?

    I think a sandwich bag would be perfect for this amount of fudge as it gives plenty of space for the ingredients and for moving everything around as you knead the bag. Smaller bags may not work as well, but larger bags like quart-sized or gallon could work just fine.

    Can I make this fudge at home?

    Absolutely! You don't NEED to go camping to enjoy this nifty dessert. Feel free to whip it up at home (you can even use a mixing bowl) and then sit back and eat your sweet chocolate concoction on the patio or from the couch on a rainy afternoon.

    a bowl full of soft chocolate fudge with a spoon and strawberries resting to the sides.

    ❤️ More Recipes Kids Can Make

    • Apple Pie Bites on a plate.
      Apple Pie Bites
    • three earth day parfaits in glass cups.
      Earth Day Parfaits
    • candied grapes in a white bowl.
      Candied Sour Grapes
    • smores snack mix in a white bowl with more scattered around it.
      Golden Grahams Smores Snack Mix

    If you tried this armpit fudge, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    a bowl of fudge with a spoon holding a small bite of it at the tip.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Armpit Fudge

    Don't let the name fool you because this armpit fudge recipe is actually a simple fudge in a bag, made using your own body heat and hands to knead it to completion.
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 374kcal
    Cost Recipe $0.34
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Measuring Spoons
    • Ziploc Bag

    Ingredients

    • 2 teaspoons Unsweetened cocoa powder ($0.07)
    • ½ cup Powdered sugar ($0.12)
    • ⅛ teaspoon Vanilla extract ($0.01)
    • 2 teaspoons Cream cheese ($0.05)
    • 1 Tablespoon Butter ($0.09)

    Instructions

    • If desired, open a zipper topped baggie and place it into a cup, fold the top over, and push the bag into the cup so that it's now an opened circle. This will make it much easier for adding ingredients without the mess and hassle of the bag falling down.
    • Add your cocoa powder and powdered sugar to the baggie.
    • Now add in the vanilla, cream cheese, and butter.
    • Remove as much air from the bag as you can and seal it closed.
    • Knead the bag between your warm hands for about 5 minutes. Warm body heat can help to melt the butter and cream cheese faster.
    • It will turn into a dark creamy consistency when it's ready. There may still be a few small unmixed chunks. This is okay!
    • Eat straight from the baggie or place it into a bowl for serving.
    • Dig in and enjoy!

    Notes

    Recipe Tips:
    • The fudge will have a thinner, frosting-like consistency, not the thick, hard squares you might expect.
    • Serve the fudge with fresh berries to balance the sweetness.
    Dairy-Free Version:
    • Substitute cream cheese with vegan cream cheese or pureed silken tofu.
    • Use vegan butter like Earth Balance instead of regular butter.
    Make Ahead Instructions:
    • Store the fudge in an airtight container in the fridge. It will solidify as it ages, making it easier to cut.
    Storage:
    • Keep any leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    Recipe Add-Ins:
    • Enhance the fudge with 1-2 tablespoons of rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, or chopped walnuts (avoid nuts if there are allergies).

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 123mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 482IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Author NicoleDurham
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

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