There’s something undeniably magical about the creamy sweetness and refreshing zing of peppermint in holiday treats. This Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe brings that joy right into your kitchen with its swirled colors and melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s one of those recipes I always find myself coming back to because it’s as beautiful as it is tasty.

The image shows a stack of four square-shaped colorful fudge pieces on white parchment paper on a white plate with a slightly rough edge. The top piece is held by a woman's hand and has a marbled red and cream surface decorated with small red, green, and white round and stick sprinkles. Below it, the second piece has alternating thick layers of red and cream, with tiny festive sprinkles on top. The third piece shows a creamy base with green swirls and subtle sprinkles. The bottom piece has a cream color base with red swirls and a few sprinkles. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with some sprinkles scattered around, and a red ornament is visible out of focus in the background. 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 been making this festive peppermint white chocolate fudge for years now, and every time it’s a crowd-pleaser. What makes it special is the blend of creamy white chocolate with that cool peppermint hit, plus the fun, colorful swirls that scream holiday cheer.

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these on hand, making it an easy last-minute festive treat.
Quick and No-Fuss: The microwave melting method speeds things up, but I’ll share tips to keep it smooth every time.
Customizable Colors and Flavors: You can swap the peppermint for vanilla or mint, and switch up the colors to match any season or celebration.
Perfect Gift or Party Treat: It stores well, looks gorgeous, and tastes divine—making it a thoughtful homemade gift or festive party snack.

A small square piece of festive candy is held by a woman's hand against a white marbled surface. The candy has two visible layers: a thick bottom layer in bright red and a top layer in creamy white mixed with spots of red. The top layer is covered with colorful sprinkles in red, green, white, and orange, including both round and rod shapes, giving a cheerful holiday look. The candy is glossy with a smooth texture and is resting lightly on a crinkled white paper above a white plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is all about that luscious white chocolate base combined with creamy condensed milk and peppermint for a fresh flavor pop. The food coloring adds that festive flair but don’t skip the quality of the white chocolate—it makes all the difference.

Flat lay of a small pile of glossy white chocolate chips, a stick of smooth pale yellow butter, a whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick creamy sweetened condensed milk, two small white bowls each containing vibrant red and green liquid food coloring, a few colorful round holiday sprinkles scattered neatly on the surface, a fresh sprig of peppermint leaves for visual context, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions 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: Look for good-quality chips that melt smoothly for a creamy fudge texture.
Sweetened condensed milk: It adds sweetness and creaminess, acting as the perfect binding agent.
Butter: Adds a rich, velvety finish, but you can leave it out if you prefer a lighter treat.
Peppermint extract: The star flavor here—fresh and cool, perfectly complementing the white chocolate.
Red and green food coloring: For those signature festive swirls; you can also experiment with other colors depending on the occasion.
Holiday sprinkles (optional): Adds extra crunch and visual appeal, but feel free to skip or swap with crushed candy canes.

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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

I love how this fudge recipe lets you play around with flavors and colors to fit any festive vibe. Personally, swapping peppermint for vanilla creates a smoother, subtler treat my kids adore. You can make it as garishly bright or as softly elegant as you like!

Flavor swap: I once made this fudge with mint extract instead of peppermint for a slightly earthier taste that was still refreshing.
Color mix: Try pastel shades for spring or red and pink for Valentine’s Day—super fun and easy to customize!
Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free white chocolate and coconut condensed milk, but be extra gentle heating so it doesn't seize.
Sprinkle swaps: Crushed candy canes or chopped nuts make great toppings too, adding a little crunch and extra festive flair.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan Like a Pro

Start by lining an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Cover not just the bottom but all sides so you can lift the fudge out easily after it’s set. Trust me, this little step saves you a lot of scraping later.

Step 2: Melt Ingredients Slowly and Gently

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine your white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and peppermint extract. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until everything’s melted and silky. It usually takes about 1.5 to 2 minutes total. Stirring well between intervals keeps the mixture smooth and prevents the chocolate from seizing—which happens if it overheats.

Step 3: Color Your Swirls

Take about half a cup of the fudge mixture and quickly stir in a few drops of red food coloring until you hit the shade you want. Do the same in another bowl with green food coloring. The texture will thicken fast, so stir briskly!

Step 4: Create That Festive Swirl

Drop dollops of each colored fudge all over your lined pan. Then gently swirl together using a butter knife or spoon, taking care not to overmix. This gives you those beautiful festive swirls that make it so eye-catching.

Step 5: Top and Chill

Sprinkle with your favorite holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes if you like, then pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours to set fully. I like to cover it lightly with plastic wrap to keep it fresh while chilling.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

Lift your fudge from the pan using the parchment edges and cut into squares with a sharp knife. For the cleanest cuts, wipe the knife blade between slices with a damp paper towel.

Top Tip

After many batches of this fudge, I’ve learned that patience and gentle stirring are the keys to perfect texture. It’s easy to get impatient with microwaves and stir too little or too much—in either case, the fudge can turn grainy or harden unexpectedly.

Go Slow with Heat: Heating in short bursts and stirring thoroughly keeps the chocolate silky and prevents seizing.
Stir Briskly but Gently: When mixing in food coloring, stir fast to incorporate, but don’t overmix your swirls once poured into the pan.
Use a Quality White Chocolate: This makes a huge difference; cheaper brands can separate or cause gritty fudge.
Sharp Knife for Clean Cuts: Wiping it between slices keeps your fudge looking beautiful on the plate or in gift boxes.

How to Serve Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe

Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I tend to top my fudge with crushed candy canes or red and green holiday sprinkles—they add a lovely crunch and festive touch. Sometimes, a dusting of edible glitter adds a magical sparkle that’s hard to resist!

Side Dishes

This fudge pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, mulled wine, or even peppermint hot chocolate. For parties, I like arranging it alongside gingerbread cookies or fruitcake for a delightful holiday dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I cut the fudge into small squares, stack them in clear boxes with festive ribbons, or wrap individual pieces in cellophane tied with twine. For parties, I use decorative trays with small candy canes as edible accents around the fudge squares.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps perfectly for up to 5 days without losing flavor or texture.

Freezing

Freezing works well for this fudge too! I slice it first, then wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag. When I want a treat, I just pull out a piece or two, and it thaws quickly at room temperature.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat fudge because it’s perfect chilled, but if you want it softer, leaving it at room temperature for 15-20 minutes does the trick without making it greasy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this fudge without a microwave?

Absolutely! You can melt the white chocolate chips and condensed milk together using a double boiler. Be sure to stir constantly and avoid any contact with water to keep the mixture smooth and prevent seizing.

What if my fudge mixture seizes or gets grainy?

If it seizes, it usually means it overheated or water got into the chocolate. To avoid this, melt slowly, stir often, and ensure your utensils and bowls are dry. If it happens, unfortunately, you’ll need to start over for the best texture.

Can I use different colors or flavors in this recipe?

Definitely! This fudge is very versatile. You can swap the peppermint extract for vanilla or mint, and mix in any food colors to fit holidays or special occasions—from pastel pinks to vibrant reds and greens.

How long will this fudge last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this fudge will stay fresh for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage—just wrap pieces well to maintain freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge Recipe is one I cherish not just for how delicious it is, but for the memories it creates—whether that’s wrapping it up for gifts or sharing it around the holiday table. I hope you give it a try and enjoy every creamy, minty bite as much as I do. Plus, the simple steps mean you can relax and have fun with it, even if you’re not a seasoned fudge maker yet.