Nothing says holiday joy quite like a slice of creamy, minty fudge. This Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe delivers that perfect mix of sweet white chocolate and refreshing peppermint with a playful swirl of holiday colors. It’s easy to make and just the right treat to share with friends or keep all to yourself—no judgment here!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe for years, and it never fails to wow guests and family alike. What I adore is how simple it is to whip up but feels so luxurious and seasonal. Plus, the colorful swirls make it look like a little holiday masterpiece every single time.
- Quick and fuss-free: Melting everything together in the microwave saves you time without sacrificing the creamy, dreamy texture fudge should have.
- Customizable Colors & Flavors: Swap out food coloring or extracts to match any holiday or taste preference—it’s a versatile canvas.
- Perfect gifting treat: Cut into cute squares, wrapped in parchment, this fudge makes a charming homemade gift that everyone will appreciate.
- Great balance of rich and fresh: Peppermint adds just the right amount of zing to balance the sweet white chocolate, keeping every bite exciting.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe uses just a handful of ingredients that blend beautifully for classic festive flair. Each element plays an important role, so here’s what to keep in mind when prepping your shopping list.
- White chocolate chips: These melt smoothly and provide the luscious base of the fudge with their creamy sweetness.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This adds richness and moisture, helping the fudge set with a silky texture—you want to grab a good quality brand here.
- Butter: Adds extra creaminess and helps the fudge set nicely without being too dense.
- Peppermint extract: The star flavor that brings that signature holiday coolness. A little goes a long way!
- Red and green food coloring: For that classic festive look—use gel colors if you want the most vibrant hues without watering down your fudge.
- Holiday sprinkles (optional): I love adding a little crunch and extra sparkle on top, but they’re totally optional.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often switch up the colors or peppermint extract for vanilla or mint to surprise my guests. The base is so forgiving that you can really make it your own.
- Variation: Sometimes I add crushed candy canes on top instead of sprinkles for extra peppermint crunch—it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Dietary tweak: If you want a dairy-free version, try coconut condensed milk and dairy-free chocolate chips; it changes the taste a bit but still delicious.
- Seasonal colors: Pink and red for Valentine’s Day or pastel shades for Easter make the fudge fun year-round.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan With Care
I always start by lining an 8×8-inch square pan completely with parchment paper—cover the bottom and sides well, so you can easily lift out the fudge later without any stickiness. It saves so much cleanup hassle and helps keep your fudge looking neat.
Step 2: Melt the Magic
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and peppermint extract. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then heat for another 30 seconds, stirring again. Repeat in 30-second bursts as needed until everything is melted and silky smooth. The key here is patience—stir well between intervals because the residual heat finishes melting the chips and helps avoid seizing.
Step 3: Color and Swirl
Move about half a cup of the fudge mixture to a small bowl and add red food coloring drops, stirring quickly. Do the same with another half cup in a separate bowl, adding green food coloring. Don’t fret if it looks thick—stir as fast as you can to blend in the color evenly. Then, dollop spoonfuls of each colored fudge into the parchment-lined pan, alternating between red and green. Finally, swirl gently with a butter knife or spoon to create those beautiful festive waves.
Step 4: Chill and Cut
Sprinkle holiday sprinkles over the top if you want an extra pop of festivity. Pop the pan into the fridge and let it set for at least 2 hours. When firm, lift it out by the parchment paper and use a sharp knife to cut into squares. Wiping the knife clean between cuts keeps your pieces looking sharp and polished—trust me, it makes a huge difference!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve found a few tricks that really help this Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe turn out smooth and stunning every time. These tips come from learning the hard way—no one wants to deal with seized chocolate!
- Temper the heat: Microwave in short bursts and stir well to prevent the chocolate chips from overheating and seizing.
- Use good-quality peppermint extract: The right flavor makes all the difference. Avoid imitation extracts if you can—they can taste artificial or overpowering.
- Swirling technique: Don’t over-swirl—the goal is pretty, distinct color swirls, not one uniform color.
- Sharp knife for clean cuts: Wipe between slices with a damp paper towel to avoid ragged edges and keep squares neat.
How to Serve Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Garnishes
I’m partial to topping mine with crushed candy canes for extra peppermint crunch and visual appeal. It adds a delightful texture contrast that makes each bite even more festive and fun.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside a hot cup of cocoa or a classic eggnog if it’s holiday season. The creamy fudge balances beautifully with these warm, spiced drinks for a cozy treat session.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your fudge squares on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly berries around the edges for that extra holiday charm. Wrapping individual squares in wax paper tied with twine also makes for adorable gifts or party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will happily keep for up to five days. I like to layer parchment paper between pieces when stacking to prevent sticking and keep every square intact.
Freezing
Freezing fudge works surprisingly well! Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you're ready for a treat, thaw them in the fridge overnight to keep their texture perfect.
Reheating
Fudge generally tastes best cold or at room temperature, but if it’s too firm from the fridge, just let it sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving leftover fudge—it can alter the texture and cause it to get grainy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! This Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe base is versatile. Just swap in milk or dark chocolate chips and adjust peppermint extract as needed for balance. The colors and toppings can remain festive too.
Melting in short intervals in the microwave with thorough stirring is key. Avoid water contact and steam when melting in a double boiler. Also, be patient, stirring will help chips melt smoothly without turning grainy or hard.
Yes, you can omit the butter if you prefer. The fudge will still set but might be slightly less creamy. Butter adds richness and smooth texture, but it’s not absolutely required for this recipe.
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean with a paper towel between each cut. This keeps your knife from dragging fudge residue across your slices, resulting in neat and polished squares every time.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe has become my go-to sweet for the holidays because it’s so reliably delicious and brings everyone around the kitchen table. Treat yourself to making this—you’ll love how easy it is to spread holiday cheer one creamy, colorful bite at a time. Go ahead, whip it up and watch it disappear fast!
Print
Festive 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: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Fudge recipe combines creamy white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk with peppermint extract and colorful swirls of red and green food coloring. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it's easy to make and can be customized with different colors and toppings for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups white chocolate chips
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Coloring and Toppings
- ½ teaspoon green food coloring
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8-inch square pan completely with parchment paper, covering the bottom and all sides completely 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 and Stir: Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth. Be careful not to overheat to prevent seizing.
- Color the Fudge Mixture: Place ½ cup of the fudge mixture into a small bowl and add 3-4 drops of red food coloring. Stir quickly to combine and achieve the desired color. Repeat with another ½ cup of fudge mixture, adding 2-3 drops of green food coloring and stir well.
- Swirl Colors in the Pan: Using a spoon, add dollops of the colored fudge mixtures around the prepared pan. Then swirl gently with a spoon or butter knife to create festive swirls throughout.
- Add Sprinkles: If desired, sprinkle holiday sprinkles on top to add an extra festive touch.
- Chill to Set: Place the fudge in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set completely.
- Cut and Serve: Lift the fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut into desired sizes with a sharp knife. For clean cuts, wipe the knife with a paper towel after each cut.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Swap peppermint extract for mint extract or vanilla extract to vary the flavor.
- Top with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies for extra holiday flair.
- Customize for other holidays by changing the food coloring, like pink and red for Valentine’s Day or pastel colors for Easter.
- Use the recipe as a base with milk or dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for different tastes.
- Butter adds creaminess but can be omitted if desired.
- A double boiler can be used to melt the chocolate and condensed milk, but avoid water or steam contact to prevent seizing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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