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Make easy Peppermint Fudge with five simple ingredients! Easily mix together the fudge ingredients with rich vanilla and peppermint flavorings and top with crushed candy cane. It is the perfect fudge recipe for the Christmas season!
Why We Love This Recipe!
- Easy Fudge Recipe: With just five ingredients, a microwave, and a fridge, you can make a tasty batch of Christmas fudge!
- Homemade Gift: Homemade fudge is an excellent holiday gift. Just box it up in festive packaging complete with a gift tag, and you’ve got a lovely gift for friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors!
- Great for Parties: What could be more fitting for a holiday party than a fresh batch of delicious candy cane fudge?
Traditional fudge made by the old-world fudge makers was formed through a lengthy process involving the artisanal touch of pushing and turning the fudge on a cold marble counter. Luckily, this microwave fudge requires far less effort while still producing delicious results!
Almost everyone agrees that peppermint is a signature flavor of the holiday season. So, if yo are a peppermint lover like me, check out more of my peppermint treats, like these Peppermint Meltaway Cookies, Peppermint Brownie Mix Cookies, and Chocolate Oreo Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies– Yum!
Ingredient Notes
Variations and Substitutions
- Chocolate Swirl Peppermint Fudge: If you’d like, add a chocolate fudge swirl to the vanilla! Split the recipe in half, adding dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips to one half and making the other as directed. Then, carefully swirl the two together using a rubber spatula or spoon. Or replace the white chocolate entirely with milk chocolate or even dark chocolate for Chocolate Peppermint Fudge.
- Festive Shapes: Use Christmas cookie cutters to cut out fun and festive shapes instead of slicing the fudge into squares.
- Mix the Candy Canes In: Add the peppermint candy to the vanilla fudge before chilling for more peppermint flavor. Or add a touch of peppermint extract to the mixture.
- Peppermint candies work just as well as candy canes for this recipe.
How to Make Easy Vanilla Peppermint Fudge
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Recipe prep
Prepare for this easy recipe by lining a small square pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Then, coat it with cooking spray.
Next, add the candy canes to a sealed plastic bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin. (It’s a great way to get rid of any holiday stress!)
Step 2 | Combine fudge ingredients
Start making the fudge by adding the white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and butter to a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat the fudge ingredients for 30-second intervals, stirring between, until the mixture is smooth and melted. Then, mix in the vanilla until it’s well incorporated.
Next, evenly pour the white fudge mixture into the prepared pan and smooth it with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
Step 3 | Add crushed candy canes and chill
Split the crushed candy canes in half, trying to separate the finer crushed pieces from the larger ones. A good mixture of both looks best on the top of the fudge. Then, sprinkle the finely ground portion on top of the fudge. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to set for a couple of hours.
Step 4 | Slice, top, and serve!
Now, pull up on the parchment paper to lift the fudge from the baking pan and place the fudge upside down on a cutting board.
See what we did there? Now the candy canes are on the bottom of the fudge!
Use a sharp knife to slice the fudge into squares of the preferred size, making 16 to 32 pieces.
Finally, sprinkle the remaining candy canes on the vanilla fudge, I like to use my hand to gently press some of the candy cane pieces into the fudge. Then plate and serve!
Tips
- Don’t Overheat– Be careful not to overheat the fudge mixture. The key is to warm it in short bursts and mix thoroughly in between.
- Clean Edges– For even and clean edges when slicing the festive fudge, warm the knife in a mug or bowl of hot water, repeating when the knife cools.
- If preferred, melt the fudge mixture with a double boiler over medium heat.
Recipe FAQs
More tasty fudge toppings include chopped nuts, like toasted pecans or walnuts, salty pretzels, bits of toffee, or Christmas sprinkles!
Evaporated milk doesn’t work like sweetened condensed milk for a homemade fudge recipe. Condensed milk is sweet, thick, and creamy, giving the perfect effect for fudge. On the other hand, evaporated milk is more commonly used as a milk substitute, which would produce very different results when making fudge.
No– That’s part of why it makes for an excellent Christmas present. There’s no need to refrigerate the vanilla fudge after the initial chilling and setting. Most prefer to enjoy it at room temperature.
Storage
Keep on the Counter: Store the white chocolate peppermint fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 to 7 days. As time passes, keep in mind that the fudge will become drier and more brittle.
Refrigerate: If preferred, refrigerate the fudge in an airtight container for about a week. Let it sit out at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.
Freeze for Long-term Storage: Store the fudge for up to six months by freezing it. Wrap it in plastic wrap, store it, then thaw it overnight in the fridge or on the counter to enjoy the next day.
What to Serve with Candy Cane Fudge
Gift this homemade fudge with this Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix for your loved ones to enjoy a perfect treat for the holidays. Or add milk and sip on this festive drink as you enjoy your peppermint fudge. This easy Eggnog Recipe or fun Grinch Punch recipe also makes tasty combinations!
More of my Favorite Holiday Recipes
- Peanut Butter Fudge Cookies
- Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
- Crock Pot Chocolate Turtle Candy
- Candied Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
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Peppermint Fudge (Easy Condensed Milk Fudge)
Equipment
- 8 X 8 Pan
Ingredients
- 3 cups white chocolate chips or baking chips
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tablespoons butter, room temperature (use salted or unsalted on preference)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, (clear will result in a whiter fudge)
- 8 candy canes
Instructions
- Prepare a small square pan (8 x 8 or similar size) pan by lining it with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) and coating it with cooking spray.
- Crush candy canes by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and hitting them gently with a rolling pin.
- Combine white baking chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until melted. It should take 2 to 3 minutes. Do not overcook.
- Stir to ensure all the white chocolate mixture is melted, then add vanilla. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the white fudge mixture into the prepared pan and smooth it evenly. Sprinkle 1/2 of the candy canes on top (finely crushed portion). This layer will be the bottom when flipped over.
- Cover the fudge with plastic wrap, place in the refrigerator, and allow to set for 2 hours.
- Lift the fudge from the baking dish by pulling up the parchment paper. Place on a cutting board upside down and cut into squares of desired size. (This will make 16 – 32 squares)
- Sprinkle remaining crushed Candy Canes on top of vanilla fudge, and serve at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
Variation:
Chocolate Swirl Peppermint Fudge: If you’d like, add a chocolate fudge swirl to the vanilla! Split the recipe in half, adding dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips to one half and making the other as directed. Then, carefully swirl the two together using a rubber spatula or spoon. Or replace the white chocolate entirely with milk chocolate or even dark chocolate for Chocolate Peppermint Fudge.Tips:
- Don’t Overheat– Be careful not to overheat the fudge mixture. The key is to warm it in short bursts and mix thoroughly in between.
- Clean Edges– For even and clean edges when slicing the festive fudge, warm the knife in a mug or bowl of hot water, repeating when the knife cools.
- If preferred, melt the fudge mixture with a double boiler over medium heat.
Storage:
Keep on the Counter: Store the white chocolate peppermint fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 to 7 days. As time passes, keep in mind that the fudge will become drier and more brittle. Refrigerate: If preferred, refrigerate the fudge in an airtight container for about a week. Let it sit out at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. Freeze for Long-term Storage: Store the fudge for up to six months by freezing it. Wrap it in plastic wrap, store it, then thaw it overnight in the fridge or on the counter to enjoy the next day.Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
This was such a fun and festive treat that does not disappoint! Turned out easy, creamy and delicious; easily, a new holiday favorite!
I am so glad you are enjoying it this holiday season! Have a Merry Christmas.
What an unusual idea! Making it for my friends – cant wait to see what they say!
I am so glad you will be sharing with friends. This candy cane fudge makes the perfect holiday gift for sharing!
The perfect treat for Christmas. Thanks a lot for sharing.
You are so welcome. Thank you for making it! Merry Christmas!
I love making fudge for the holidays, and peppermint is such a classic flavor. This is a winner.
I do to Beth! It’s something we do every year! Hav a very Merry Christmas!
This fudge looks absolutely stunning! Such a great way to entertain your family and friends. The looks are awesome, too!
It is perfect for sharing! Those peppermints do make this fudge so pretty! Enjoy!