Peppermint Fudge
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Feb 24, 2025 There’s no better way to usher in the winter holidays than with a good dose of chocolatey Peppermint Fudge. This easy recipe is perfect for parties and edible gifts.
Fudge Heals All Wounds
My family has had a roller coaster fall, filled with moments of sheer chaos and others of light-hearted bliss. Knowing I needed a little pick-me-up, my husband surprised me with my first hot air balloon ride. I cannot express the overwhelming childlike delight I felt, riding high above the mountain tops, drinking in the crisp air and heavenly surroundings. It was an occasion I will never forget.
It was the perfect way to say goodbye to fall.
But now I’m ready for Christmas and all the excitement it entails.
This time of year, dreams of sugar plums dance in my head… Along with a plethora of dazzling cookies and silky Peppermint Fudge.
Easy Peppermint Fudge
Chocolate Fudge has a reputation of being a bit of a diva: temperamental, hard to handle, you never know how it’s going to react. Well honey, this Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Recipe is a low-maintenance kind of girl: simple, straightforward, and easy to be around.
Our peppermint fudge recipe is a fantastic spring board for all-things-fudge. With just a handful of ingredients you get a soft sinfully silky, yet dense, fudge that screams HOLIDAYS the moment you taste it.
(I wish you could see just how SLOW this actually poured.)
Fudge Recipe Notes
The texture of GOOD fudge is derived by SLOWLY melting the chocolate into the mixture.
Heating the chocolate too fast will result in grainy fudge. The best way to do this is by heating the chocolate mixture in a glass bowl sitting over a small pot of simmering water. You could also microwave it in 30-second increments, on medium heat.
IF… your fudge does get grainy, that means it heated too quickly and is starting to dry out. You can fix it by adding WATER. Add about 1/4 – 1/2 cup of water to the mixture and bring the temperature back up. Stir until a smooth, yet THICK, texture appears.
To set properly, fudge needs to be the consistency of a REALLY thick cake batter. ALMOST to thick to pour, but not quite. If it’s looser than that, it won’t firm up enough and will be hard to cut and pick up. Keep the mixture over heat, until the right thickness is reached.
For a bubble-free consistency, I like to gently tap the fudge pan on the counter—not just a couple of times, but for a minute or two. This forces all the air bubbles up to the surface.
Fudge is very quick to make, but takes time to set. Plan for anywhere from 3 to 8 hours in the fridge before cutting.
Looking for more holiday treat recipes? We’ve got you covered here!
Peppermint Fudge Ingredients
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Butter
- Dark chocolate chips or chunks
- Salt
- Peppermint extract
- Vanilla extract
- Andes Peppermint Chunks (optional)
More Fudge Recipe Creations:
- Maple Walnut Fudge
- Layered Peppermint Fudge
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy (Old Fashioned Fudge)
- 4-Ingredient Pistachio Gelato Fudge
- Peanut Butter Fudge ~ Brown Eyed Baker
- Red Velvet Fudge ~ I Am Baker
- Coconut Milk Fudge ~ Smitten Kitchen
Peppermint Fudge Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon butter + extra for buttering the dish
- 1 pound dark chocolate chips or chunks
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Andes Peppermint Chunks
Instructions
- Grease a 8×8-inch or 8×11-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half the peppermint chunks in the bottom of the dish and set aside.
- Place a medium saucepan over medium heat with 2 inches of water. Place a glass bowl over the top—making sure the glass doesn't touch the water.
- Pour the condensed milk and butter in the bowl and heat.
- Add the chocolate chips and salt in the bowl. Stir the chocolate and watch as it melts and thickens—about 5 minutes.
- The mixture should thicken to a THICK cake batter consistency–almost too thick to pour.
- Add both extracts and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into the dish. Gently tap the dish on the counter for at least a minute to allow air bubbles to rise to the surface and to smooth the surface.
- Sprinkle the remaining peppermint chips over the top and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, maybe longer, to set.
- To cut, dip a sharp knife in hot tap water, wipe and cut quickly. Dip and wipe the knife between cuts. Cut into 1-inch squares.
Nutrition
Does it have to be a glass bowl? I have a double boiler pan, but it is metal.
Hi Samantha,
That will work! :)
Thanks. I’m going to make it this morning for a party tonight!
Hello i was just wondering if i could use crushed candy canes? I live in Canada and have never seen the andes peppermint chips. Or could i just cut up andes squares? Thank you for your time and wonderful recipe.
love these! decadent and easy
Wow, this looks delicious! Perfect for the Holidays!
What is “dark” chocolate – unsweetened?
I cant find the Andes chunks where i am. Anything else i can replace them with? Are they the same as peppermint baking chips?
They are different than peppermint baking chips, but you could sub those. Walmart Super Center always has the Andes baking chips this time of year…
We don’t have any Andes candy in New Zealand. Could I use crushed candy canes? What is the texture of the Peppermint chunks, chewy or crunchy? Thanks.
I would use the old-fashioned candy sticks that melt-in-your-mouth like butter mints. Red Band is one brand.
Is your butter salted or unsalted? I made your recipe using unsalted and it seemed fine, but I wanted to clarify. Thanks. People said it was rich and good.
I always use unsalted butter, but you could use either. :)
I am going to try this recipe with Spearmint essential oil instead of peppermint.
This should be delish!!
Yum! Looks so good! I love mint and chocolate together.
I’m definitely going to try this for my holiday baking! Does 1-TB butter mean one tablespoon, or something else?
Thanks!
Yep, 1 tablespoon. :)
Let me know how they turn out!
The photos are gorgeous. I want to make the fudge for a party next weekend. Where can I get the Andes peppermint crunch? I found it on-line but might not get here in time. Thanks so much for answering. T.
Does the bowl have to be glass? Would a metal bowl work?