Name: Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 22 oz white chocolate chips (2 11-oz. bags, Ghirardelli brand recommended); 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes; ¼-½ teaspoon red gel food coloring (start with ¼ teaspoon and add more as needed, Americolor brand recommended); ¼-½ teaspoon green gel food coloring (start with ¼ teaspoon and add more as needed)

There’s just something magical about creamy, colorful fudge during the holidays, isn’t there? This Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe is that perfect festive treat that’s super simple to whip up but looks so impressive, making your holiday gatherings extra sweet and joyful.

A stack of four square pieces of fudge is shown in the center, each piece with swirls of red, white, and green colors mixed in a marbled pattern. The top piece has a bite taken out, revealing a soft texture inside. Around the stack are more pieces of the same fudge spread out. The fudge rests on white marbled texture, with blurred green and red color sticks in the background along with a white bowl filled with an off-white ingredient. In the lower left corner, there are small decorative bells in red, green, and cream colors near the fudge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe has been a holiday staple in my kitchen for years, and honestly, its simplicity combined with festive flair is what keeps me coming back. You’ll enjoy how effortlessly you can transform simple ingredients into a colorful, creamy delight that feels super special.

Fast and Fuss-Free: You can prepare it in under 15 minutes – perfect when you need a last-minute holiday treat.
Festive Colors: The red and green swirls make it visually stunning and perfect for Christmas celebrations.
Rich, Creamy Texture: Thanks to sweetened condensed milk and white chocolate chips, it melts in your mouth just right.
Perfectly Portionable: Easy to slice into bite-sized pieces that everyone can enjoy without feeling overwhelmed.

The image shows several square pieces of fudge with bright swirls of red, green, and white colors blended on the top layer. Each piece has a smooth texture with the colors forming curved stripes that spread across the surface. The fudge squares are placed on a sheet of parchment paper resting on a wooden board, set against a white marbled textured background. The pattern on each piece is unique, with red and green colors twisting through the white base, creating a festive and colorful look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because it calls for straightforward ingredients that combine beautifully. The white chocolate chips melt smoothly, the condensed milk adds luscious sweetness and creaminess, and the gel food coloring gives that festive sparkle without changing the fudge’s texture.

Flat lay of two small piles of glossy white chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick, creamy sweetened condensed milk, four cold cubes of pale yellow unsalted butter neatly arranged, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant red gel food coloring, and another small white ceramic bowl holding bright green gel food coloring, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White Chocolate Chips: I always use good quality ones like Ghirardelli for smooth melting and rich flavor.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: This ingredient brings creaminess and sweetness all in one, making your fudge luscious and tender.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create that perfect fudge texture.
Red & Green Gel Food Coloring: Gel is best here because it won’t thin out the fudge and provides vibrant, lasting color.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe is how easy it is to switch things up. I often add a splash of peppermint extract for an extra holiday vibe, or toss in some chopped nuts for texture. Don’t be shy—make it yours!

Minty Variation: Adding a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the melted mixture creates a delightful twist that screams Christmas to me.
Nuts for Crunch: Walnuts or pecans add a pleasant crunch, especially if you like a little contrast in your fudge.
Chocolate Layer: For more chocolatey goodness, swirl in melted semi-sweet chocolate alongside the colored white chocolate for a stunning marbled effect.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan Carefully

Start by lining an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, making sure you leave enough overhang on the sides. This is key for easily lifting out your fudge later without any mess or fuss. I usually spray the parchment with a little cooking spray, just to be safe.

Step 2: Melt & Stir Gently but Constantly

Over medium-low heat, combine the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and cold butter cubes. Stir constantly for about 4 to 6 minutes until everything melts into a smooth, silky mixture. Keep a close eye here because if it overheats or you stop stirring, the fudge might turn grainy.

Step 3: Divide & Add Your Colors

Pour about a third of the melted mixture into two separate small bowls. Add red food coloring to one and green to the other, stirring quickly and thoroughly until you see beautiful, uniform colors with no streaks. Remember to start with a little color and add more to get the perfect shade.

Step 4: Create Your Swirl Masterpiece

Drop spoonfuls of the white, red, and green fudge randomly into your pan. Use a wooden skewer or butter knife to gently swirl the colors around forming those classic Christmas swirl patterns. Then, smooth the top gently by pressing with a small piece of parchment paper—just enough to even it out but keep the pretty swirls intact.

Step 5: Chill & Slice

Pop the fudge into the fridge for 2 to 3 hours until it’s firm and ready. When you’re ready, lift it out with the parchment paper edges and slice into 1-inch squares. This recipe makes around 64 little pieces—perfect for sharing or gifting.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, here are some tips that truly helped me get this fudge perfect every single time. These little tricks will save you from common pitfalls and keep your fudge silky and colorful.

Work Quickly with Color: Once off the heat, the fudge starts to set fast. Mix in the gel food coloring swiftly but gently to keep those vibrant hues and smooth texture.
Gentle Heat Only: Avoid high heat or letting the mixture sit too long on heat or you risk grainy fudge. Keep stirring constantly until smooth and remove promptly.
Warm Knife for Cleaner Cuts: Run your knife under warm water, dry it, then slice to get those neat fudge pieces without sticking or crumbling.
Use Parchment Paper Overhang: This simple step is a gamechanger. It makes removing your fudge like lifting a dream cake out of the pan—no struggle, no mess.

How to Serve Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a few crushed candy canes or edible glitter on top right after swirling for extra sparkle and crunch. It’s such a festive touch and makes the fudge look like it belongs front and center on any holiday dessert table.

Side Dishes

This fudge pairs wonderfully with hot cocoa or a cup of spiced tea. It’s also fantastic alongside other holiday cookies or fruitcakes if you’re making a big dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

I like to place fudge pieces in small decorative tins lined with festive tissue paper for gifting. Or arrange them in a colorful pattern on a holiday platter to wow guests visually and satisfy their sweet tooth simultaneously.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it stays perfectly fresh for up to a week. Just make sure the container seals tightly so it doesn’t pick up any fridge odors.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze fudge! I wrap it tightly in parchment and then foil before putting it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It freezes well for up to two months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving for best texture.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat fudge, but if you want it a little softer, a few seconds in the microwave on low power does the trick. Warm it gently and stir if it starts to melt unevenly, but avoid overheating because fudge can seize up and become grainy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dark chocolate instead of white chocolate?

This Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe is specifically designed for white chocolate because it provides that creamy texture and bright color base for the red and green swirls. Using dark chocolate will change the flavor and texture significantly. However, you could explore a separate version with dark chocolate and different coloring or toppings.

How do I prevent the fudge from turning grainy?

Make sure to stir constantly while melting the ingredients over medium-low heat and remove the mixture from heat as soon as it’s smooth. Avoid getting the fudge too hot or letting it sit on the heat too long, as this can cause the sugar crystals in the chocolate to separate and the texture to become grainy.

Can I make this fudge vegan or dairy-free?

Since this recipe relies on white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk, it’s not naturally vegan or dairy-free. However, you could try substituting vegan white chocolate chips and a dairy-free condensed milk alternative, but results may vary. Experimentation might be needed to get the texture just right.

How long does this fudge stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this fudge stays fresh for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freezing is recommended, where it can last up to 2 months when wrapped and sealed properly. Always thaw it overnight in the fridge before serving for best taste and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Quick and Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe feels like a cozy holiday hug in every bite. I hope you’ll give it a go and find it as fun and rewarding as I do. It’s the kind of recipe that invites you to slow down, enjoy the colors, and share the sweetness with loved ones—just like Christmas should be.