Peppermint Fudge is just what you need during the holiday season. It’s so quick and easy to make and everyone loves the creamy texture of Christmas fudge. It also make a perfect gift for someone special.
It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas, and with Thanksgiving just behind us, we don’t have much time. I don’t know about you, but this time of year there are a ton of people I like to give baked goods to. Usually it’s a bag of cookies or Chocolate Caramel Bark, but this year I’m giving this creamy delicious homemade peppermint fudge.
Different types of fudge
There are hundreds of types of fudge out there but most are adaptations of these:
- Old fashioned Fudge that requires a candy thermometer and beating the fudge, this is the most difficult but pretty magical.
- Microwave fudge, which may be just the opposite of the old fashioned type and takes 2 minutes.
- Fudge made with sweetened condensed milk.
- Fudge made with marshmallows or marshmallow cream like this recipe.
The recipe is fool proof and you can make it in about 15 minutes. Much quicker than a batch of cookies, but you don’t get instant gratification, they have to sit for four hours.
I use marshmallows and dark chocolate for this easy chocolate fudge recipe. While it’s sweet, it’s not “sweetened condensed milk” sweet. You can use milk chocolate if you prefer, just try to use a good quality chocolate since that’s the main ingredient.
Why you’ll love peppermint fudge
- A decadent fudge is a must have to enjoy around Christmas time.
- It makes a thoughtful gift that’s easy to make!
- Put together in just 15 minutes
- You can add nuts and other toppings to the fudge to make other flavor batches
What you’ll need
- Bittersweet chocolate – get the good stuff!
- Evaporated milk – this shelf stable milk has about 60% of its water removed and is creamier so good for baking
- Candy canes – crush them into pieces to top the fudge to make it extra festive
- Peppermint extract – It doesn’t take much to give your fudge the mint flavor you’re looking for
- Marshmallows – get the regular large ones (not the extra large ones used for s’mores)
- Brown sugar, butter
What’s the best chocolate to use for Christmas fudge
When making a dessert like fudge where the main ingredient is chocolate, you should use the best quality chocolate in your budget. This recipe calls for bittersweet chocolate and my favorite is Guittard. If not available then you can’t go wrong with Ghirardelli. If you are feeling extravagant, everyone raves about Valrhona but I’ve never tried it.
How do you make peppermint fudge
Step 1: Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to a boil in a saucepan and then reduce the heat and cook until it reaches 234º or until it starts to get foamy.
Step 2: Remove from the heat and add chopped chocolate and marshmallows and whisk it together until it’s smooth. It will take a couple of minutes for the marshmallows to melt. Add peppermint extract and pour it into a pan to cool.
Step 3: For a bit more peppermint taste and a festive finish, crush up some candy canes or peppermint candies and sprinkle them on your warm chocolate pressing them in a bit so they don’t fall off once it’s cool.
You’ll need to let this fudge cool for about two hours and then refrigerate for two more hours before cutting.
Pro tip: You can leave out the peppermint and have plain fudge. For a different batch, try adding chopped up nuts or coconut to change things up a bit or buy some other flavored chips like peanut butter and sprinkle them on top before it sets.
That’s it! What could be easier?
It’s a great recipe to have on hand. I cut it into 1 inch pieces for a quick chocolate fix. It’s so rich, that’s about all you need.
Keep a batch or two in the freezer for a last minute hostess gift or gift for a special friend, or to enjoy after a busy day. This is going to make your holiday season just a little bit easier.
FAQs and tips
A thermometer will keep this from burning. If you’re used to making fudge, you might get by without one as long as you watch it closely, remove it from the heat once it has been boiling and starts to get foamy. But if you’re new to making candy and fudge, they aren’t that expensive and I use mine all the time.
The fudge will set as it comes to room temperature. It still needs the refrigerator to become firm.
Try to use a good quality chocolate like Ghiradelli or Guittard for that rich chocolatey flavor.
Peppermint extract has a shelf life of 3-4 years.
If you stir it too much as it heats through, you cause your fudge to get grainy or you might have overcooked it. A thermometer will help to avoid these outcomes. It will still taste delicious.
More PEPPERMINT recipes
More CHRISTMAS treat ideas
- Try white chocolate chex mix with holiday sprinkles
- Make a batch of vanilla caramels
- Chocolate caramel bark is great to serve to holiday guests
- For another perfect hostess gift try chocolate chip shortbread cookies
Peppermint Fudge Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups brown sugar
- 12 tablespoons butter 1 ½ sticks cut into cubes
- ⅔ cups evaporated milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 5 ounces large marshmallows about 21 marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¼ cup crushed peppermint candy
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Spray with vegetable spray.
- In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, evaporated milk and salt. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently. Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring frequently until it registers 234º, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and immediately add chopped chocolate, marshmallows and peppermint extract and whisk until smooth and the marshmallows are fully melted, about 2 minutes. Pour into the prepared pan and sprinkle with ¼ cup crushed peppermint candy, gently push it into the fudge. Let it sit until cool, about 2 hours. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
- Remove from pan and cut.
Video
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- Line the pan with parchment and then spray with a cooking spray for easy removal.
- Use a good quality chocolate for a rich flavor.
- It takes about 6 candy canes to top the fudge.
- To remove the plastic from the candy canes, first break them in half, the plastic will peel right off.
Nutrition
Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage
on Instagram!
Leave a Reply