1. Grab a large, heat-resistant bowl (big enough so it won’t boil over). Add in 500g sugar, 112g unsalted butter, and 397g condensed milk.
2. Microwave on full power for 4 minutes. Take it out and stir well, make sure the sugar’s melted.
3. Microwave again on full power for 8 minutes.
4. Watch the color; it should look like proper fudge, not too pale, not too dark. Oven times vary, so adjust a little if needed.
5. Remove from microwave, stir in 5ml vanilla essence, and beat quickly with a wooden spoon until thick and creamy.
6. Pour into a greased or parchment-lined square dish.
7. Let it cool slightly before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
8. Optional white chocolate swirl: Melt 85g white chocolate on low for 2 minutes, stir, and add 30-second bursts until fully melted. Drizzle over fudge. Let it set completely, then break into pieces.

Tips / Quirks:

1. Stirring mid-way ensures a creamy texture.
2. Don’t let fudge overcook; it can turn grainy if too dark.
3. White chocolate swirl is optional, but adds a fun twist.