There’s something magical about the combination of cool peppermint and rich white chocolate that melts together in this delightful treat. This Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe is a festive, creamy, and colorful dessert that’s truly worth a spot on your holiday table.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe many times during the holidays, and every single batch turns out creamy and full of that unmistakable peppermint punch. It’s simple enough for even a novice, yet festive enough to wow your friends and family.
- Delightfully Creamy Texture: Thanks to the combination of white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk, the fudge is smooth and melt-in-your-mouth good.
- Festive and Fun: The swirling red and green colors bring holiday cheer right to your dessert platter.
- Quick and Easy Prep: You don’t need fancy equipment—just a microwave and some simple stirring.
- Highly Customizable: Swap out flavors, colors, or toppings to suit any season or event.
Ingredients & Why They Work
These ingredients come together beautifully to create a fudge that's not only delicious but also has that perfect peppermint vibe. Each one plays a role, whether it’s adding creaminess, sweetness, or that refreshing minty note.
- White chocolate chips: Use good-quality chips for the best flavor and smooth melting.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This adds creaminess and sweetness, giving fudge its iconic texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and smoothness, making the fudge extra luscious.
- Peppermint extract: The star flavor that brightens the fudge with a cool hint of mint.
- Green and red food coloring: Perfect for that festive holiday swirl and visual fun.
- Holiday sprinkles (optional): Adds texture and a pop of color on top for a festive finish.
Make It Your Way
I love to switch things up and make this fudge fit all seasons by simply changing the food coloring or swapping in different extracts. Feel free to get creative and make this recipe your own—it’s a fantastic base for endless yummy variations.
- Variation: One year, I tried vanilla extract instead of peppermint, and it was just as creamy but more subtle—great for those who prefer a softer sweetness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan with Care
I start by lining an 8x8-inch square pan with parchment paper, making sure to cover the bottom and all sides. This prevents sticking and makes it super easy to lift the fudge out once it’s set. Trust me, skipping this step leads to a sticky, frustrating cleanup!
Step 2: Melt the Magic
In a large microwave-safe bowl, I combine the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and peppermint extract. Then I microwave the mixture in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. The key here is patience—stirring helps the chips melt evenly and prevents overheating, which can cause the chocolate to seize up and harden. Keep stirring until it’s silky smooth.
Step 3: Color and Swirl
I divide off half-cup portions of the white fudge into small bowls and add red food coloring to one, green to the other. I mix quickly to get vibrant colors but the mixture is thick, so speed is crucial! Then, dollops of each colored fudge go into the pan, and I swirl them gently with a spoon or butter knife to create those festive patterns.
Step 4: Add Some Sparkle and Chill
A sprinkle of holiday sprinkles on top adds texture and festivity. Then I pop it into the fridge for at least 2 hours until it’s fully set. The anticipation is hard, but that chill time is what makes the fudge cut like a dream!
Top Tip
After making this Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few tips that will help you nail it on your first try and every time after.
- Don’t Rush the Melting: Stir between short bursts of microwave heating to prevent the white chocolate from burning or seizing. Slow and steady wins the silky fudge game.
- Use Fresh Peppermint Extract: It makes a world of difference in flavor. Old or low-quality extracts can taste flat or artificial.
- Swirl Gently: Don’t over-swirl or the colors will bleed together. Light, deliberate swirls create the best visual effect and keep the peppermint flavor distinct.
- Sharp Knife for Clean Cuts: After chilling, wipe your knife blade with a warm damp cloth between cuts. This prevents the fudge from sticking and tearing.
How to Serve Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Garnishes
I like adding crushed candy canes on top for an extra peppermint crunch and a festive look. Holiday sprinkles work beautifully too, adding a fun pop of color without changing the texture too much.
Side Dishes
This fudge is a stand-alone treat, but I’ve found it pairs wonderfully with hot cocoa or a fresh cup of peppermint tea. For gifting, I sometimes bundle it with gingerbread cookies to create a cozy, holiday snack box.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like arranging the fudge pieces on a decorative platter lined with evergreen sprigs and cinnamon sticks—it instantly feels holiday-ready. Wrapping individual squares in wax paper tied with a festive ribbon makes perfect little gifts or party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After it sets, I store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for up to 5 days, maintaining that creamy texture and peppermint flavor without drying out.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this fudge several times without any loss in flavor or texture—just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
Since this fudge is best served chilled, I don’t recommend reheating. If it feels too firm after refrigeration, leave it at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before enjoying.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Using a double boiler works great to gently melt the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Just be careful to avoid any water or steam droplets in the mixture, which can cause the chocolate to seize and harden. Stir gently and remove from heat once fully melted and smooth.
Lining your pan completely with parchment paper—covering the bottom and all sides—is essential. This lets you easily lift out the fudge after it sets without any sticking, making cutting and serving mess-free.
Yes! The butter adds extra creaminess and richness, but if you prefer a lighter texture or don’t have butter on hand, you can omit it. The fudge will still be delicious thanks to the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk.
Start with ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract as the recipe suggests, then taste before mixing the whole batch. Peppermint extract can pack a punch! You can always add more if you want a stronger minty flavor but it’s harder to fix if it’s too strong from the start.
Final Thoughts
This Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen every holiday season. There’s just something so comforting and festive about popping a creamy, peppermint-infused square into your mouth while the house is all decorated and lights twinkle around you. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s sure to become a holiday favorite in your home too.
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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 is used but since it fits none of the exact method categories (Air Frying, Baking, Blending, Frying, Grilling, Instant Pot, No-Cook, Roasting, Slow Cooking, Stovetop), and fudge is primarily set by chilling, the closest primary cooking method is considered No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Christmas Fudge recipe combines creamy white chocolate and sweetened condensed milk with peppermint extract and colorful swirls of red and green for a delightful holiday treat. Easy to make and perfect for gifting or celebrations, this fudge sets up beautifully in the refrigerator and can be customized with various 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 Topping
- 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 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.
- Heat Mixture: Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat heating in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate chips have fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Be careful not to overheat to prevent seizing.
- Color the Fudge: Spoon ½ cup of the fudge mixture into a small bowl and add 3-4 drops of red food coloring, stirring quickly to combine. In a separate small bowl, spoon another ½ cup of fudge mixture and add 2-3 drops of green food coloring, mixing well. Add more drops if needed to achieve desired colors.
- Assemble in Pan: Spoon dollops of the colored fudge mixtures alternately around the lined pan, then fill the remaining areas with the plain fudge mixture.
- Swirl the Colors: Use a spoon or butter knife to gently swirl the colored fudge into the plain fudge to create a festive marbled effect.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle holiday sprinkles evenly over the top, if using.
- Chill to Set: Place the fudge in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours until completely set.
- Cut and Serve: Lift the fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper. Use a sharp knife to cut into desired sizes, wiping the knife clean between cuts for neat pieces.
Notes
- Store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can substitute peppermint extract with mint extract or vanilla extract for different flavor variations.
- Top with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies for extra festive flair.
- Customize the fudge colors for other holidays, such as pink and red for Valentine’s Day or pastel colors for Easter.
- This recipe works as a versatile base—swap white chocolate chips for milk or dark chocolate chips and change toppings accordingly.
- If you prefer, omit the butter for a slightly less creamy texture.
- For melting, a double boiler can be used instead of a microwave; avoid water or steam contact to prevent the mixture from seizing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 32 g)
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg

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