ORDER FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
"For our wedding, we wanted to do something special as a party favor for the guests. Karen Ann made that hope into a reality. She had the perfect option for what we were looking to do and made the experience so easy. All of our guests loved the individual fudge boxes, and many had fun trading with others to get the flavor they liked most. The fudge, to no one's surprise was delicious, and it added the perfect touch to our wedding."
Jason S.
By far the best fudge I have ever had! My husband and I absolutely loved getting the chance to meet Karen Ann and hear more about the rich history of Murdick’s Fudge and her incredible family legacy. It made the experience even more special knowing the care and tradition behind each batch. We will definitely be ordering again! You can truly taste the love and craftsmanship in every bite.
Laura W.
"I can’t even begin to describe how incredible this fudge is. You truly have to taste it for yourself. Karen Ann Murdick’s fudge is, without a doubt, the best in the world. It melts in your mouth and comes in so many delicious flavors. It’s so amazing that I’ve now turned all of my children and grandchildren into Karen Ann Murdick’s fans as well."
Lola V.
"Best fudge I’ve ever had. I even went to Mackinac Island hoping to find cookies and cream fudge, and it didn’t come close to Karen Ann’s. Her fudge stayed fresh for the we were traveling, and it was absolutely delicious. Karen Ann Murdick is so kind and sweet, and she makes the fudge herself. The sea salt caramel is a favorite! I’ll definitely be ordering more."
Katrina R.
KAREN ANN MURDICK'S FUDGE
✧ A HERITAGE OF ✧
HANDCRAFTED FUDGE SINCE 1887
WHY PEOPLE LOVE KAREN ANN MURDICK'S FUDGE
With 95% five-star ratings on Google, we’re proud to be recognized for excellence in the confectionery industry. As a family-owned and operated business spanning six generations, our sweets have become a beloved tradition for Michigan vacationers and locals alike. For many, our fudge isn’t just a treat—it’s a taste of simpler times and sweet family memories
95%
5-star reviews
6
Generations
138
Years
OUR OFFERINGS
Using time-honored techniques and recipes passed down for over a century, Karen Ann crafts each batch of fudge, caramel, and chocolate with care and intention. Made in small batches using copper kettles and hand-paddled on marble slabs, every piece reflects the same attention to detail her great-great-grandmother Sarah brought to the kitchen. Karen Ann also brings her background in pastries and specialty cookies to the mix, adding a fresh creative touch to the family’s legacy of sweets.
Whether you’re revisiting a cherished childhood memory or discovering these confections for the first time, every bite is made to bring joy, comfort, and a taste of tradition. From velvety fudge to buttery shortbread, each offering is a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and the simple pleasure of something truly memorable.
Creamy, handcrafted fudge
Made from scratch using a 138-year-old recipe passed down through 6 generations.
Soft and chewy caramels
Butter and cream richness with subtle bittersweet notes, these chewy confections are greater than the sum of their parts.
Decadent chocolates
European chocolate, smooth ganaches and delicate flavors harmonize while offering pleasure for the senses.
CARAMEL CORN
Using only 6 ingredients, our rich, buttery caramel creates the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch.
OUR STORY
IT ALL BEGAN ON Mackinac Island in 1887
The Murdicks’ Fudge story begins in the mid-1800s, when Karen Ann Murdick’s great-great-grandmother, Sarah Jane Gould, immigrated to the United States from Germany, carrying with her a deep knowledge of Old World candy-making. She and her family opened three small confectioneries across southeast and northern Michigan. Using a precise blend of all-natural ingredients, Sarah perfected her signature fudge recipe, creating the mouthwatering flavor and velvety texture still prized by Murdicks’ customers today.
Sarah’s husband, Henry Murdick—a skilled boat builder and sail maker—and their son, Jerome, were commissioned in 1887 to fabricate the iconic canvas awnings for the new Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Sensing the island’s growing potential as a tourist destination, they established Murdick’s Candy Kitchen—the very first fudge shop on Mackinac Island and one of the first in Michigan.
Sarah was the heart of the kitchen. She and her son “Rome” crafted their fudge by hand, mixing small batches on cool marble slabs—an industry-changing innovation now central to fudge-making around the world. Eventually, Rome’s eldest son, Gould, learned the craft and, after World War I, joined his father in revitalizing the business.
In 1954, Gould’s younger brother, Jerald, joined him to open Murdick’s Famous Fudge in Charlevoix, Michigan, where they trademarked the name. It was here that Jerald’s eldest son, Francis, partnered with his father and later passed his skills and candy-making secrets on to his children.
Karen Ann Murdick—one of Francis’s eight children—grew up steeped in this legacy, watching with wide eyes as her father brought each batch of fudge to life. The sounds, scents, and rhythm of the process sparked a sense of wonder that would shape her future. What began as childhood fascination turned into a deep pride in her family’s heritage—and, eventually, a calling of her own.
In 2016, after years of refining her food science and pastry skills, Karen Ann purchased her brother John’s fudge store in Frankenmuth, Michigan. There, she honed her craft as a fifth-generation candymaker. Expanding beyond her family’s time-honored techniques and recipes, she developed a uniquely rich version of the famous fudge—exclusive to her and beloved by customers as Chocolate Supreme, the love child of truffles and fudge.
With both reverence and imagination, Karen Ann continues to honor her family’s legacy while bringing her own creativity to each new chapter. From Sarah’s kitchen to Karen Ann’s, the Murdicks’ Fudge story continues to be written in chocolate and cream—one handcrafted batch at a time.
Michigan State Fair, circa 1952 Father Francis G. Murdick on far right, Grandfather F. Jerald Murdick holding the knife.
Murdick Family Portrait (Early 1900s)
This early 1900s portrait captures three generations of the Murdick family. Seated on the far left is Rome Murdick, with his oldest son, C. Gould Murdick, seated in the center. On the far right is Juliette, Rome’s wife.
Standing in the back from left to right are Rome’s sons Arthur Jerome Murdick and F. Jerald Murdick, followed by his daughter, Arletta Murdick, dressed in a fur coat and bonnet.
Honoring the Past, Crafting the Future