Name: Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 2 h 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 22 oz white chocolate chips (2 11-oz. bags, Ghirardelli brand recommended); 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes; ¼-½ teaspoon red gel food coloring (Americolor brand recommended); ¼-½ teaspoon green gel food coloring (Americolor brand recommended)

There’s something about rich, creamy fudge swirling with festive reds and greens that instantly makes the holidays feel cozier. This Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe is my go-to for sharing joyful, colorful treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat. Trust me—you'll love how it brightens up any holiday gathering.

A stack of four square pieces of fudge is shown in the center, each piece with swirls of red, white, and green colors mixed in a marbled pattern. The top piece has a bite taken out, revealing a soft texture inside. Around the stack are more pieces of the same fudge spread out. The fudge rests on white marbled texture, with blurred green and red color sticks in the background along with a white bowl filled with an off-white ingredient. In the lower left corner, there are small decorative bells in red, green, and cream colors near the fudge. 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 Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore making this colorful Christmas fudge because it’s simple, festive, and downright delicious. The way those bright red and green swirls peek through creamy white fudge just screams holiday magic. Plus, it’s a recipe you can easily customize and feel proud gifting to friends and family.

Festive Colors: Incorporates vibrant red and green swirls that look stunning and holiday-appropriate.
Rich, Creamy Texture: This fudge melts in your mouth, thanks to the perfect balance of white chocolate and condensed milk.
Simple Ingredients: Uses easy-to-find items you probably have in your pantry or can pick up quickly.
Perfect for Gifting: Cut into small squares, these colorful fudge bites make charming homemade gifts or party treats.

The image shows several square pieces of fudge with bright swirls of red, green, and white colors blended on the top layer. Each piece has a smooth texture with the colors forming curved stripes that spread across the surface. The fudge squares are placed on a sheet of parchment paper resting on a wooden board, set against a white marbled textured background. The pattern on each piece is unique, with red and green colors twisting through the white base, creating a festive and colorful look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays an important role in giving this fudge its creamy, dreamy texture and those festive colors. The white chocolate chips provide a smooth base while sweetened condensed milk adds richness and tenderness. Gel food coloring ensures you get bold, beautiful swirls without affecting the fudge’s texture.

Flat lay of two small piles of glossy white chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick, creamy sweetened condensed milk, four cold cubes of pale yellow unsalted butter neatly arranged, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant red gel food coloring, and another small white ceramic bowl holding bright green gel food coloring, all 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: Choose a good quality brand like Ghirardelli for a smooth melt and rich flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk: This is the secret to fudge that’s tender but firm enough to slice.
Unsalted butter: Adds silkiness and balances sweetness without extra saltiness.
Red gel food coloring: Use gel over liquid for vibrant, bright color that doesn’t thin the fudge.
Green gel food coloring: Same as red, gel coloring gives that perfect Christmas hue.

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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 of the things I love about this Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you prefer more color, want to add your own festive flavors, or need a twist for dietary needs, this recipe welcomes your creativity.

Variation: I often add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the melted mixture before coloring—it gives the fudge a classic holiday minty kick that guests rave about.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap out the white chocolate chips for a dairy-free version and use coconut condensed milk to keep that same luscious texture.
Nutty Touch: Toasted chopped pistachios mixed into the green-colored fudge add a lovely crunch and seasonal green theme.
Color Swirls: Feel free to experiment with other colors too—gold gel coloring creates a glam vibe that's equally stunning.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan with Care

I start by lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure the edges overhang enough so the fudge will lift out easily once set. A little tip: give the paper a quick spray of cooking spray or rub with butter to prevent sticking, which makes cleanup a breeze!

Step 2: Melt and Mix the Base

Into a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, I place the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and cold butter cubes. Stir constantly for 4-6 minutes until smooth and all melty. It’s key not to rush this step—constant stirring prevents burning and keeps that texture silky.

Step 3: Divide and Color

I carefully transfer a third of the melted mixture into two separate small bowls. To one, I add the red gel food coloring, stirring well until the color is even—no streaks! I do the same with the green coloring in the second bowl. It helps to start with ¼ teaspoon and add more if you want a deeper shade.

Step 4: Layer and Swirl Festively

Now for the fun part! I dollop the white, red, and green fudge mixtures randomly over the lined pan. Using a wooden skewer or butter knife, I gently swirl the colors around to create beautiful festive patterns. To finish, I press a small piece of parchment on top to gently smooth the surface without disturbing the swirls.

Step 5: Chill and Cut

I pop the pan into the fridge for 2-3 hours until the fudge is completely set. When it’s firm, I lift it out using the parchment edges and slice into 1-inch squares. Pro tip: run a warm knife under hot water and dry it before each cut for clean edges and no sticking.

Top Tip

After making this colorful Christmas fudge recipe many times, I’ve learned a few little tricks that turn a good fudge into a great one. Following these will help you avoid common pitfalls and get that perfect festive bite every time.

Constant Stirring: Don’t wander off while melting—stir constantly to avoid grainy or burnt fudge.
Work Quickly With Coloring: Once removed from heat, the fudge starts to firm up—add colors and swirl swiftly but gently.
Safe Rewarming: If it thickens too quickly, warm the bowls briefly in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to loosen it up without risking overheating.
Knife Trick: Warm your knife before slicing to get clean cuts and avoid crumbling fudge.

How to Serve Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe

Garnishes

I tend to keep garnish minimal because the colorful swirls are the star. Occasionally, I’ll sprinkle crushed candy canes or a light dusting of edible glitter on top for extra sparkle and holiday charm—plus it adds a festive crunch that guests adore.

Side Dishes

This fudge pairs beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint tea to complement its sweetness. For party platters, I like to serve alongside spiced nuts, dried fruit, or simple sugar cookies to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation ideas is arranging different colored fudge squares in a checkerboard pattern on a festive platter. Wrapping small squares in wax paper and tying with red and green ribbons also makes a great DIY gift that looks as good as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it stays deliciously fresh for up to a week. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature for a few minutes before eating so it’s soft and creamy again.

Freezing

Freezing this fudge works like a charm—I wrap pieces individually in wax paper then place them in a sealed freezer bag. It freezes well for up to two months. When you're ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture.

Reheating

To gently revive frozen fudge, I remove the pieces from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If it’s still a bit firm, a few seconds in a microwave on low power can soften it without melting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Regular liquid food coloring can thin out the fudge mixture, making it less smooth and harder to set properly. Gel food coloring is highly concentrated so it adds vibrant color without affecting texture, which is why I recommend it for this recipe.

My fudge turned out grainy—what did I do wrong?

Most likely, the fudge was overheated or not stirred constantly while melting. It’s critical to melt the chocolate and butter gently over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to avoid separation and graininess. Also avoid overheating in the microwave when reheating mixtures.

How long does this fudge last?

This fudge stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week when stored in an airtight container, and can be frozen for up to two months. Thaw thoroughly before serving

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Chopped nuts, dried fruits, or even crushed candy canes make wonderful additions. Just fold them into the fudge after dividing and coloring the mixture, then proceed with swirling and setting. The texture and flavor get an extra holiday twist.

Final Thoughts

This Colorful Christmas Fudge Recipe always brings a smile to my face and warmth to holiday gatherings. It’s simple enough to whip up even on a busy day, yet special and festive enough to impress everyone. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s a sweet tradition worth starting in any kitchen.