Springfield's Sweetest Tradition Ā· Est. 1952*

The Championship Fudge Pageant

CFP Ā· The Annual National Fudge Baking Championship

Every autumn, the nation's boldest bakers descend on Springfield to stir, swirl, and slice their way to fudge glory.

Enter the 2027 CFP
Golden trophy above a tray of fudge
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Fictional 2026 champion with trophy

Reigning 2026 Champion

Clementine "Clem" Cocoabean

Hometown: Fudgeport-on-Lake

Clem stunned the judges with her Toasted Marshmallow Sea-Salt Swirl, a two-layer dark-and-milk fudge with a torched marshmallow crown. Judges called it "a campfire in a square."

How the Pageant Works

šŸ„„ Three Rounds

Hometown Heat (submit your signature fudge), Springfield Semis (bake live in the Grand Tent), and the Final Stir-Off.

šŸ… Categories

  • Classic Chocolate
  • Nuts & Crunch
  • Fruit & Floral
  • Wild Card Flavor
  • Junior Fudgers (under 16)

āš–ļø Judging

Taste 40% Ā· Texture 25% Ā· Creativity 20% Ā· Presentation 15%. Judged blind by a panel of five Master Fudgesmiths.

šŸ“… 2027 Dates

Entries open March 1, 2027
Entry deadline July 15, 2027
Finals in Springfield October 8ā€“10, 2027

āœļø How to Enter

Send us your name, hometown, category, and a description of your fudge using the contact form below. We'll send an entry kit!

Hall of Fame

Fictional champion Marigold Pennywhistle with trophy and fudge2025

Marigold Pennywhistle

Butterhollow

šŸ† Triple-Swirl Salted Caramel Cloud

Fictional champion Barnaby Crumbsworth with trophy and fudge2024

Barnaby Crumbsworth

Lower Nougatville

šŸ† Maple Midnight Pecan Brick

Fictional champion Tilly Ganache with trophy and fudge2023

Tilly Ganache

Sprinkle Falls

šŸ† Raspberry Ripple Rhapsody

Fictional champion Ozzie Fondant with trophy and fudge2022

Ozzie Fondant

Cocoa Creek

šŸ† Peanut Butter Thunderclap

Fictional champion Wren Molasses with trophy and fudge2021

Wren Molasses

Toffee Junction

šŸ† Lavender Honey Dream

Fictional champion Gus Butterfield with trophy and fudge2020

Gus Butterfield

Old Sugarmill

šŸ† Classic Grandma's Fudge Supreme

From the Pageant Kitchen: Fudge Articles

Classic Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge (Recipe)

A tested-style recipe for old-fashioned cooked chocolate fudge: ingredients, step-by-step method, the 234ā€“237Ā°F soft-ball stage, and tips for a smooth, creamy set.

Read more ā€ŗ

Candy Thermometers and the Soft-Ball Stage, Explained

How to choose, calibrate and use a candy thermometer, what the soft-ball stage (234ā€“237Ā°F) means for fudge, and how to use the cold-water test.

Read more ā€ŗ

Why Fudge Turns Grainy (and How to Fix It)

The science of sugar crystals in fudge: what causes grainy fudge, how to prevent it, and how to rescue a sandy batch by re-cooking it.

Read more ā€ŗ

Creative Fudge Flavor Ideas Inspired by the Pageant Champions

Fun, practical fudge flavor ideas, from salted caramel swirls to raspberry ripple and lavender honey, with tips on adding mix-ins without ruining the set.

Read more ā€ŗ

How to Cut, Store and Gift Fudge

Practical tips for cutting clean fudge squares, storing fudge at room temperature, in the fridge or freezer, and packaging it beautifully for gifts.

Read more ā€ŗ

Contact Us

Questions, entries, or fudge fan mail? Drop us a line, or email us at fudge@cfpnationalchampionship.com.