Cozy Peppermint Fudge Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic in Minutes

Sweet winter memories dance through this creamy peppermint fudge that melts like childhood dreams.

Chocolate and mint create magic in every single bite.

Cold nights feel warmer with this delectable treat waiting on your kitchen counter.

Holiday gatherings sparkle when you present this rich, smooth confection alongside coffee or tea.

Layers of deep chocolate swirl with cool peppermint essence, promising pure indulgence.

Crafting this dessert becomes a delightful moment of culinary creativity that connects generations.

Whip up this simple recipe and watch smiles spread across expectant faces.

What You’ll Need for Peppermint Fudge

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provides rich, deep chocolate flavor with smooth melting properties. Best to use high-quality chips for better taste.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates creamy texture and helps bind the fudge together. Adds sweetness and smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances chocolate's natural flavor profile. Optional but recommended for depth.
• Peppermint Extract: Adds refreshing mint flavor. Use pure extract for best results.

• White Chocolate Chips: Provides creamy, sweet base for top layer. Choose good quality chips for smoother melting.
• Remaining Sweetened Condensed Milk: Continues creamy texture from bottom layer.
• Remaining Peppermint Extract: Reinforces cool mint flavor throughout fudge.

• Candy Canes: Adds festive crunch and peppermint flavor. Crush into small pieces for even distribution. Traditional peppermint candy works best.
• Parchment Paper: Helps easy removal of fudge from pan. Ensures clean, smooth cutting of squares.

Simple Steps to Make Peppermint Fudge

Step 1: Prepare Baking Canvas

Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing extra paper hanging over the edges for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Craft Chocolate Foundation

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Sweetened condensed milk

Microwave at half power, stirring every 30 seconds until chocolate melts completely and mixture becomes glossy. Add vanilla and half the peppermint extract. Pour into prepared pan, creating a smooth chocolate base. Refrigerate while preparing next layer.

Step 3: Create White Chocolate Topping

• White chocolate chips
• Remaining sweetened condensed milk

Microwave at half power, stirring every 15-20 seconds until silky smooth. Fold in remaining peppermint extract and half the crushed candy canes.

Step 4: Layer and Decorate

Pour white chocolate mixture over chocolate layer. Spread evenly across surface. Sprinkle remaining crushed candy canes on top for festive crunch.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Refrigerate fudge for minimum 2 hours until completely firm and solid.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

Remove fudge from pan using parchment paper. Cut into bite-sized squares. Enjoy the cool, minty chocolate treat!

Why Peppermint Fudge Is a Holiday Staple

• Microwave method makes this recipe a breeze, taking minimal effort with simple steps anyone can master in under 30 minutes.
• Perfect for Christmas gatherings, cookie exchanges, and winter celebrations, this fudge delivers maximum festive cheer with minimal complicated techniques.
• Skip the oven and complicated baking process- this recipe requires only a microwave, making it accessible for beginner and experienced cooks alike.
• Easily adaptable with different chocolate types or extra peppermint intensity, allowing personal creativity while maintaining a foolproof base recipe.

Peppermint Fudge Tips for the Right Balance of Mint

• Prevent Chocolate Seizing: Melt chocolate slowly at low power, stirring frequently to avoid burning and ensure smooth, glossy texture.
• Customize Peppermint Intensity: Adjust peppermint extract amount to match your taste preference, adding more or less for desired minty flavor.
• Crush Candy Canes Perfectly: Place candy canes in a sealed plastic bag and gently crush with a rolling pin for uniform, fine pieces without pulverizing completely.
• Create Dairy-Free Version: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk and use dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan-friendly alternative.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep fudge refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two weeks, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How to Keep Peppermint Fudge Fresh for Gifting

• Store peppermint fudge in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep chilled for up to one week.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Let fudge sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance flavor.
• Cover container with lid to maintain moisture and prevent fudge from absorbing other refrigerator odors.

What to Pair with Peppermint Fudge for a Sweet Spread

• Serve alongside a steaming mug of rich hot cocoa with a subtle hint of peppermint, complementing the fudge's cool, minty notes and creating a luxurious winter dessert experience.
• Match with a chilled glass of creamy Irish cream liqueur, which adds a smooth, velvety contrast to the sweet and refreshing peppermint fudge while bringing out the chocolate's deep richness.
• Plate with crisp, buttery shortbread cookies that provide a delightful crunch against the fudge's silky-smooth texture and amplify the festive flavor profile.
• Serve with a light, sparkling white wine like Moscato d'Asti, whose gentle effervescence and subtle sweetness cut through the fudge's intensity and refresh the palate between bites.

Peppermint Fudge Flavor Twists You Should Try

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut milk or dairy-free condensed milk. Use dairy-free chocolate chips for both layers, ensuring a creamy texture without animal products.
• Gluten-Free Option: Verify all chocolate chips are certified gluten-free. Check candy canes for gluten-free certification, keeping the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Nut-Free Peppermint Treat: Skip any potential nut-based extracts. Use pure peppermint extract and ensure all ingredients are processed in nut-free facilities for maximum safety.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute sugar-free chocolate chips and use a sugar-free condensed milk alternative. Replace traditional candy canes with sugar-free peppermint candies crushed finely for topping.

Peppermint Fudge Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy peppermint fudge brings winter magic to dessert tables with its rich chocolate base and cool mint essence. Sweet indulgence meets holiday cheer, creating a delightful treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Chocolate Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips

Milk and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 (14 ounces / 396 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• ½ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a rectangular baking vessel by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for effortless extraction of the finished confection.
2. Create the chocolate foundation by melting semi-sweet chocolate chips with a portion of sweetened condensed milk, utilizing gentle microwave techniques to achieve a silky consistency.
3. Incorporate vanilla and half the peppermint extract into the molten chocolate mixture, then carefully distribute the glossy layer across the prepared pan’s surface.
4. Temporarily refrigerate the chocolate base while transitioning to the white chocolate stratum.
5. Repeat the melting process with white chocolate chips and remaining condensed milk, gently heating until achieving a smooth, uniform texture.
6. Blend the remaining peppermint extract and half of the crushed candy canes into the white chocolate mixture.
7. Delicately cascade the white chocolate layer atop the chilled chocolate foundation, ensuring an even distribution.
8. Generously sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes across the surface, creating a festive and textural topping.
9. Allow the confection to solidify completely within the refrigerator for approximately two hours.
10. Once set, lift the fudge from the pan using parchment paper edges and slice into elegant, bite-sized squares ready for indulgence.

Notes

• Crush candy canes finely for an even distribution of peppermint flavor throughout the fudge, ensuring each bite has a delightful minty crunch.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips to elevate the richness and smoothness of the fudge, creating a more luxurious texture and taste.
• Experiment with different extract intensities to customize the peppermint strength, allowing you to control the minty punch according to your preference.
• Store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, making it a perfect make-ahead holiday treat or gift.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 245
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg