Peppermint Fudge (Easy Condensed Milk Fudge)

Both peppermint and fudge are Christmas favorites and therefore peppermint fudge is the ideal holiday treat.

pile of peppermint fudge with text overlay


 

Silky sweetened condensed milk fudge laced with crunch little bits of candy cane or peppermint discs. It is the essence of the holiday season.

Traditional Fudge vs Sweetened Condensed Milk Fudge

There are SO many ways to make fudge. Some people enjoy a traditional fudge made from cream and sugar. This process is a hefty dose of chemistry and monitoring heat. My Classic Vanilla Fudge and Gingerbread Fudge are good examples.

For some, this is the only acceptable way to make fudge. But for others, it is too techinical and they prefer to make an equally delicious fudge, but with less room for error. A foolproof fudge recipe.

overhead slab of white chocolate fudge

For this, using sweetened condensed milk or marshmallow fluff (Fantasy Fudge) is your magic ingredient. Both are forms of sugar with the milk being dairy based and the fluff eggs and sugar, almost like a meringue.

Using sweetened condensed milk skips the step of melting sugar, which is the step that intimidates most bakers and requires precise temperature control using a candy thermometer.

white chocolate peppermint fudge cut into small squares

Condensed milk is cow’s milk that has had the water removed, so concentrated milk. Sweetened condensed milk just means that this water-free milk has added sugar making it sweet and perfect for dessert recipe.

Here this is no need to use a candy thermometer and the mixture goes from the saucepan, to the baking dish and then the fridge. Easy fudge in minutes.

stack of easy peppermint fudge on a white plate

Peppermint Flavored Fudge

This easy fudge recipe is also easily adaptable. I like to have the essence of peppermint without it being too overwhelming, so I opt for vanilla extract and then crushed peppermint. However, you can also use peppermint flavoring for of a bold flavor punch.

Candy canes are readily available during the holiday months, but if you are enjoying fudge year round, gran Starlite mints. Using mini candy canes and arranging them artfully on top is also a fun way to decorate your fudge dish.

hand picking up a piece of easy fudge

Peppermint fudge is the perfect addition to holiday trays too. It provides vibrant color and different texture and shapes. Match it with Peppermint Sugar Cookies!

Ingredients

  • White baking chocolate- White baking chocolate comes in wafers, chips or bars but is not almond bark or melting wafers. The latter two also have vegetable shortening or some other fat to help them be good for coating fruit and melting. For our version, we need pure white chocolate.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk– The star of the show and what makes this whole easy fudge thing possible.
  • Unsalted Butter– Butter gives the fridge smooth texture and thins out the chocolate for the perfect consistency. Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness. If using salted butter, omit the additional salt.
  • Fine Sea Salt- Just a pinch is enough to help bring out natural flavors and balance the sugar.
  • Extract- Vanilla extract or peppermint flavoring are great options. I find that the peppermint candy and the flavoring is a little too much for my taste, but others want that really bold flavor profile.
  • Peppermint Candy– Either star mints or candy canes.
close up of peppermint fudge cross section

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk Fudge

  1. Line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper. You can also wax paper, but use one of these two to prevent sticking. This also is a sling to help you lift it up and out of the pan easily.
  2. Use a heavy bottom saucepan so the heat is distributed evenly. Over medium heat, combe the white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, unsalted butter, fine sea salt and vanilla extract (peppermint flavoring). Stir constantly to prevent scalding and heat until just smooth. If it overcooks, the chocolate gets cakey and weird.
  3. Remove from the heat and gently fold in ½ cup of the crushed peppermint. Try to not to overfold because the candy can melt and also leave streaks through the fudge.
  4. Pour into parchment lined dish and spread evenly. Tap it several times to makes sure all of the air bubbles release.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermint on the top while still tacky, you can place a piece of parchment over the top and gently press down to adhere them as well.
  6. Allow to cool fully before covering with plastic wrap and chilling for a minimum of 8 hours.
  7. Lift parchment out of the pan and cut into 1-inch squares. Use a sharp knife run under hot water and wipe it clean and re damp between each cut to get nice, smooth pieces.
stack of fudge with red linen

How Do you Store Fudge?

How long is fudge good for? Homemade fudge is good for about a week before it starts to dry out and get brittle. Keep in mind that it will get progressively dryer and more brittle as the days pass. It is unavoidable.

How do you store fudge? I like to store mine in the fridge in an airtight container. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes or so before serving to come to temperature.

Can fudge sit out? Yes, you can let fudge sit out, it is cooked. Some folks don’t refrigerate it at all and prefer room temperature.

Can you freeze fudge? Yes, you can freeze fudge made with sweetened condensed milk. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 6 months. Like anything though, it will be a little drier after thawing.

piece of fudge with a bite taken out

Commonly Asked Fudge Questions

Why does my fudge sweat? Fudge has some water in it and if it goes through extreme temperature changes, it will produce sweat.

Is there is a difference between baking chocolate and chocolate chips? Chocolate chips have less cocoa butter in them so they keep their shape during baking, so they are harder to melt.

You can use them in this recipe, but they might be slightly clumpy.

Can I use evaporated milk? Evaporated milk is also a concentrated milk product, but not sweetened. I am sure you can add sugar to compensate, but I have not experimented on doing this.

Can I use spearmint flavor? You can! Peppermint is different from spearmint, or the green mints, but you can use either. If you do use spearmint, I highly suggest using vanilla extract and not peppermint.

Can I use a different size pan to set my fudge? Sure! Use a 9×13 for a thinner fudge or 8×8 for thick fudge. It will take varying times to set depending on thickness.

If you need a large batch, but still want it thick, consider doubling the recipe.

Can I use milk chocolate? Of course! I’m someone asked this question. You can use milk or dark chocolate along with peppermint. They all complement each other’s flavors.

peppermint fudge collage for pinterest

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overhead peppermint fudge recipe for pinterest
stack of easy peppermint fudge on a white plate

Easy Peppermint Fudge Recipe

4.60 from 25 votes
Peppermint Fudge is an easy fudge recipe using sweetened condensed milk and white chocolate. Perfect for holiday cookie trays and parties!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 24

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Over medium heat, heat the white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, unsalted butter, fine sea salt and vanilla extract (peppermint flavoring) in a heavy bottom saucepan. Stir constantly until mixture is just smooth. Do not over cook.
  • Remove from the heat and gently fold in ½ cup of the crushed peppermint.
  • Pour into parchment lined dish and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermint on the top while still tacky. Allow to cool fully before covering and chilling for a minimum of 8 hours.
  • Lift parchment out of the pan and cut into 1-inch squares.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 113 kcal, Carbohydrates: 13 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 8 mg, Sodium: 57 mg, Potassium: 79 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 13 g, Vitamin A: 52 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 54 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Calories: 113
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy fudge recipe, peppermint fudge
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    This is a great recipe. I made it for Christmas and was pleasantly surprised how wonderful it was. I used peppermint extract instead of vanilla, and was a little scared that it would be too strong. Not at all. It was perfect. My 19 year old son, who loves only chocolate, was asking for more after it disappeared. Will definitely make it again.

  2. 5 stars
    This was such a fun recipe for the season! We made it over the weekend and it definitely helped kick off the festivities!

  3. 5 stars
    I just made this recipe but made some changes for my Vegan daughter and it turned out perfectly and I will definitely make it again. Thanks so much for sharing.

  4. 5 stars
    What a fun and easy recipe for the holidays. Hooray for peppermint season 🙂 Thanks for sharing this yummy number!

  5. 5 stars
    I never thought of making fudge like this but it turned out so well! Love the peppermint flavor around this time of the year!!

  6. 5 stars
    I am sure I will love these peppermint treats! They are a perfect option to make edible gifts during this holiday season.