There’s something magical in the way peppermint and white chocolate come together, especially during the holidays. This Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe captures that perfect blend of creamy sweetness and refreshing mint—making every bite feel like a cozy celebration.

A stack of four square fudge pieces is shown on a white plate lined with crumpled white paper on a white marbled surface. The bottom fudge piece is mainly cream with thin red swirls near the base. The second fudge piece is cream with green patches scattered throughout. The third fudge piece has thick red and cream stripes alternating horizontally. The top fudge piece, held by a woman's hand above the stack, features a cream base with one corner covered in red and is topped with red, green, and white round and stick-shaped sprinkles. The scene looks bright and festive. 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 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 plenty of fudge over the years, but this peppermint version quickly became a go-to for holiday gifting and snacking. Its creamy texture combined with vibrant festive colors makes it both a treat for the taste buds and a feast for the eyes.

Simple Ingredients: It uses pantry staples like white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk, so you can whip it up without a stress-filled grocery trip.
Fun to Customize: The peppermint extract and food coloring make it festive, but you can mix in your own flavors or colors to suit your mood or occasion.
Eye-Catching Presentation: The swirls and colorful layers make it instantly giftable—no fancy wrapping needed to impress your friends!
Perfect for Gifting and Parties: It holds up well refrigerated, making it easy to prepare ahead and share with your loved ones over the holidays.

A close-up image of a white marbled square dessert piece held by a woman's hand. The dessert has two visible layers: a bottom red layer and a thicker top creamy white layer with splashes of red. The top layer is decorated with green, red, and white small round and cylindrical sprinkles scattered unevenly. The dessert rests on white parchment paper on a white plate with a white marbled surface as the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe plays a crucial role, from the creamy sweetness of white chocolate to the cooling kick of peppermint. Picking quality ingredients really makes a difference here, especially the white chocolate chips—opt for good-quality ones to get that smooth melt and rich flavor.

Flat lay of white chocolate chips scattered naturally, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick sweetened condensed milk, a few slices of fresh butter on a small white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear peppermint extract liquid, two small white ceramic bowls each holding vibrant red and green food coloring liquids, and a small white ceramic bowl with colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, 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: These melt beautifully, creating that creamy base for your fudge without the need for complex tempering.
Sweetened condensed milk: Acts as both a sweetener and binder, keeping the fudge luscious and smooth.
Butter: Adds extra richness and creaminess, making the fudge melt in your mouth.
Peppermint extract: Provides that classic holiday mint flavor; be sure to use pure extract for the best taste.
Red and green food coloring: For the festive swirls, a little goes a long way—choose natural colors if you prefer.
Holiday sprinkles (optional): Adds a fun crunch and festivity, but you can easily swap these out or skip them altogether.

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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 fudge is how easily you can customize it. I often tweak the extract or colors depending on the holiday mood or the crowd I'll be sharing with. Don’t hesitate to make this recipe yours—it’s all about enjoying the process and the results.

Variation: Once, I swapped peppermint extract for vanilla and added crushed candy canes on top. It became a new family favorite that’s just as festive but a bit less minty.
Dietary tweaks: If you want dairy-free, try using non-dairy white chocolate and plant-based condensed milk—you might need to experiment with texture, but it’s doable!
Seasonal swaps: Change the red and green food coloring to pastels for Easter or red and pink for Valentine’s Day to keep this treat relevant year-round.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan for Success

Start by lining an 8×8-inch square pan completely with parchment paper—don't just cover the bottom, fold the sides too. This little prep step makes lifting out your fudge a breeze once it’s set, so don’t skip it!

Step 2: Melt Your Ingredients Together

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and peppermint extract. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time. The key here is patience—stir thoroughly after each interval to help the chips melt evenly without overheating, which can cause the chocolate to seize and become grainy. Keep microwaving and stirring until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Color Your Fudge Swirls

Reserve about ½ cup of the fudge mixture in a bowl and add red food coloring, stirring quickly to spread the color. Repeat in a separate bowl using green food coloring. It thickens fast, so work swiftly but gently. Adjust the drops till you reach your favorite vibrant shade.

Step 4: Create Those Festive Swirls

Dollop the colored fudge mixtures all over your pan in alternating patches. Then, grab a spoon or butter knife and gently swirl them through the base fudge to create a marbled effect. Don’t over-mix—you want those pretty streaks to stand out.

Step 5: Add Sprinkles and Chill

Top with holiday sprinkles if you like that festive crunch. Then pop the pan in the fridge for at least 2 hours to fully set. The waiting is hard, but worth it—the fudge firming up is a satisfying sign your treat is almost ready.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

Use the parchment paper to lift the fudge out of the pan. Slice into squares with a sharp knife, and for neat edges, wipe the blade clean between each cut. This little trick keeps your squares looking as polished as they taste!

Top Tip

From making this fudge many times, I learned that gently melting your chocolate without rushing is the secret to perfectly smooth fudge every single time. Overheating can easily ruin the texture, so patience pays off!

Microwave in short bursts: 30 seconds at a time with thorough stirring helps prevent burning and seizing.
Use good parchment lining: Cover all pan edges to lift the fudge out in one go without breaking.
Swirl restraint: Don’t over-swirl the colors—less is more when you want those striking peppermint swirls.
Sharp knife wipes: Keep your cutting blade clean for smooth, clean squares that look as good as they taste.

How to Serve Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe

peppermint white chocolate fudge - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this fudge with crushed candy canes for texture and extra peppermint flavor. Alternatively, holiday-themed sprinkles bring a fun pop of color. I usually choose whatever I have handy that feels festive—it’s a great excuse to get creative!

Side Dishes

This fudge pairs beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint tea, especially on chilly evenings. If you're serving at a party, I like to offer it alongside gingerbread cookies or fruit desserts to keep the holiday theme going.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I layered squares in a clear glass jar with red and green tissue paper nestled between. Another time, I wrapped small batches in festive parchment and tied them with twine for gift-giving—it’s such an easy way to make your fudge feel special and personal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge, where it stays fresh for about five days. Keeping it cool ensures it holds its shape and doesn’t get sticky, especially with the peppermint extract enhancing the shelf life.

Freezing

Freezing works well if you want to prep batches ahead of time. I wrap individual squares in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, just thaw in the refrigerator overnight—no soggy fudge here.

Reheating

This fudge tastes best chilled or at room temperature, so I don't usually reheat it. If you want it softer, let it sit out for 15-20 minutes—this warms it just enough without losing that lovely firm texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?

Absolutely! This recipe works with milk or dark chocolate chips, but keep in mind the flavor will shift accordingly. Also, the color swirls might not pop as vibrantly, so you can skip the food coloring or use different shades to complement the chocolate type.

What’s the best way to prevent my fudge from seizing?

The key is gentle melting. Use short microwave intervals with frequent stirring and avoid letting any water or steam get into the chocolate mixture. If you’re using a double boiler, make sure all your utensils and bowl are completely dry to prevent seizing.

Can I make this fudge without peppermint extract?

Definitely! You can swap the peppermint extract for vanilla extract or even a touch of almond extract for a different but equally delicious fudge flavor. Just reduce the amount slightly if you’re not sure about the flavor strength.

How do I get those perfect swirls without mixing the colors too much?

The trick is to dollop your colored fudge gently around the pan and swirl with a light hand using a spoon or butter knife. Avoid stirring too vigorously; the goal is to create marbled patterns, not blend the colors completely.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe has become my holiday staple because it balances that nostalgic, creamy sweetness with just the right peppermint zip—and its festive colors make it a joy to give and enjoy. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it for every holiday and special occasion. So grab your ingredients, get cozy in the kitchen, and prepare to impress yourself and everyone around you!