Nothing says cozy quite like the sweet, creamy melt-in-your-mouth delight of fudge — and this Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe is pure holiday magic. The cool peppermint pairs beautifully with rich white chocolate swirls, making every bite feel like a festive winter hug.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first made this Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe one chilly December and instantly fell head over heels. It’s easy enough for any level of baker, yet impressive enough to gift or wow guests with. The flavor balance and the candy-colored swirls make it downright addictive.
- Simple Ingredients: You won’t need a long grocery list—just a few basics transformed into holiday magic.
- Quick Prep: Just 10 minutes to mix and swirl, then let the fridge do its job.
- Customizable Colors & Flavors: You can easily tweak the colors or switch up flavors to suit any season or occasion.
- Perfect Gift Idea: Homemade fudge feels so special and festive, great for sharing warm moments with loved ones.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients here come together effortlessly to create a fudge that's creamy, minty, and just sweet enough. Choosing good-quality chocolate chips and fresh peppermint extract really makes a difference, so you get that melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite.
- White chocolate chips: Melts smoothly and gives fudge that luscious, creamy texture and sweet flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds richness and sweetness, binding the fudge together perfectly.
- Butter: Boosts creaminess and helps with that smooth mouthfeel.
- Peppermint extract: Essential for that cool, fresh peppermint punch without overpowering.
- Red and green food coloring: Brings classic holiday colors that make the fudge visually festive and fun.
- Holiday sprinkles (optional): Adds a little crunch and whimsy on top, making it even more festive.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. You can tweak the flavor, colors, or toppings to suit your mood or occasion — it’s like a blank canvas for your creativity.
- Variation: I’ve swapped peppermint extract for pure vanilla extract when I want a softer, sweeter fudge – still dreamy and just as delightful.
- Dietary tweak: I’ve also replaced the white chocolate with dairy-free alternatives for friends who are lactose-intolerant, and it works surprisingly well!
- Seasonal colors: For Valentine’s Day, I use pink and red food coloring for a sweet twist that everyone loves.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
Line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper, making sure it covers the bottom and sides completely – this little step makes it so much easier to lift out your fudge later. Gather everything together because once you start melting, you want to move quickly!
Step 2: Melt It Down Gently
Combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and peppermint extract in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well in between. The key here is to be patient — keep stirring to help the chips melt gently and smoothly. Don’t rush or overheat, or you risk the chocolate seizing and turning crumbly.
Step 3: Divide and Color
Remove about ½ cup of the melted fudge mixture into two small bowls. Add red food coloring to one and green to the other, stirring quickly until the color is even. I usually add a few drops at a time to get that perfect festive shade.
Step 4: Swirl Your Colors
Dollop spoonfuls of each colored fudge around your prepared pan. Spread the rest of the base white fudge evenly. Then use a butter knife or spoon to gently swirl the colors together — just enough to create pretty patterns without mixing them completely. This step feels a bit like painting!
Step 5: Sprinkle and Chill
Scatter holiday sprinkles over the top if you like that extra crunch and sparkle. Then pop the pan in the fridge for at least two hours to let it set fully before slicing.
Top Tip
After making this fudge several times, I’ve learned that gentle stirring and careful heating are the real game changers. Miss those, and your fudge could turn grainy or seize. Here are my best shortcuts to get perfectly smooth fudge every time:
- Use a microwavable glass bowl: It heats evenly and you can see as you stir, preventing overheating spots.
- Stir with a rubber spatula: I find this more effective than a spoon for scraping the sides and integrating everything smoothly.
- Don’t rush melting: The chocolate chips melt from residual heat as you stir, so short bursts in the microwave work better than one long round.
- Color quickly: The fudge thickens fast once you add color, so mix those dyes in swiftly for even swirls.
How to Serve Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top my fudge with festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes. The sprinkles add a fun pop of color and a little bite, while the candy canes amp up that peppermint kick perfectly. Plus, it looks so pretty on a holiday platter!
Side Dishes
This fudge pairs beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or peppermint tea — such a cozy duo on cold nights. It also makes a charming sweet treat alongside homemade gingerbread cookies or spiced nuts for a festive dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like serving the fudge in decorative tins layered with parchment paper. It’s perfect for gift-giving or just making everyone feel a little festive. I’ve even shaped the fudge into holiday-themed cookie cutters before — the swirls make them extra charming!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge — it stays fresh and creamy for up to 5 days. I love having a little stash for when I want a quick sweet pick-me-up.
Freezing
Freezing fudge works, but I’ve noticed it can sometimes change the texture slightly. If you freeze it, make sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap and an airtight bag to avoid freezer burn. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheating
Because fudge is best enjoyed chilled, I usually don’t reheat it. But if you want a softer bite, letting pieces sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes works wonders without melting the peppermint charm.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While white chocolate is classic here, swapping in milk or dark chocolate chips will work too. Just keep the balance of sweetened condensed milk and butter the same to maintain the fudge’s creamy texture.
The key is gentle, incremental heating and stirring after every 30 seconds. Avoid overheating by microwaving in short bursts rather than one long session. Also, make sure no water or steam gets into the chocolate mixture, as moisture can cause seizing.
Yes! You can skip the food coloring altogether if you prefer a classic white fudge look. The peppermint flavor is the star here, and the fudge will still taste just as delightful.
Stored in an airtight container, this fudge stays fresh and creamy for up to five days in the refrigerator. For best texture and flavor, enjoy it within this time frame.
Final Thoughts
This Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe holds a special place on my holiday dessert table — it's simple, joyful, and just a little bit indulgent. Once you try it, I think you’ll find it’s one of those sweet traditions that keeps calling you back year after year. So grab your favorite mixing bowl, swirl in some festive colors, and make a batch to share or savor yourself. You deserve a treat this good, trust me.
Print
Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Fudge recipe is a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth treat packed with white chocolate and a hint of peppermint. Swirled with vibrant red and green colors and topped with optional holiday sprinkles, it’s perfect for holiday celebrations and gift-giving. Simple to make with just a few ingredients and no baking required, this fudge sets in the refrigerator and can be customized with different extracts and colors for any occasion.
Ingredients
Fudge Base
- 3 cups white chocolate chips
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Coloring and Toppings
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring
- ½ teaspoon green food coloring
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8-inch square pan completely with parchment paper, covering the bottom and all sides to ensure easy removal of the fudge.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and peppermint extract.
- Microwave Mixture: Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat heating in additional 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth. Be careful not to overheat to avoid the chocolate seizing.
- Color the Fudge: Place ½ cup of the fudge mixture into a small bowl and add 3-4 drops of red food coloring, stirring quickly to combine. Adjust food coloring as desired for intensity.
- Make Green Portion: Place another ½ cup of fudge mixture into a separate small bowl and add 2-3 drops of green food coloring. Stir to mix well and adjust color as needed.
- Layer and Swirl: Spoon dollops of each colored fudge mixture around the prepared pan. Then gently swirl the colors together using a spoon or butter knife to create a marbled effect.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle holiday sprinkles on top if desired for a festive touch.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the fudge for at least 2 hours until completely set and firm.
- Slice and Serve: Lift the fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into 16 pieces with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between cuts for smooth edges.
Notes
- Store fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Substitute peppermint extract with mint or vanilla extract for varying flavors.
- Top with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies as an alternative garnish.
- Customize the food coloring to suit different holidays like Valentine's Day or Easter by using relevant colors.
- Swap white chocolate chips for milk or dark chocolate chips and adjust toppings for diverse variations.
- Butter adds creaminess but can be omitted if preferred.
- You can melt the chocolate and condensed milk using a double boiler instead of microwave. Avoid water or steam contact to prevent the chocolate from seizing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 1.5 inches square)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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