Indulge in the Ultimate Easy White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Recipe: Your Perfect Holiday Treat!
Transform your holiday cookie trays with this incredibly simple and utterly delicious White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge. It’s the quintessential taste of the holiday season, captured in every bite of creamy white chocolate bliss, generously adorned with festive striped candy cane pieces. Crafted from a harmonious blend of rich white chocolate, fluffy miniature marshmallows, and smooth evaporated milk, this fudge comes together effortlessly. Just heat, pour into a baking dish, allow it to cool, and prepare to delight your taste buds!
Forget the stress of elaborate holiday baking; this no-fail White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge recipe is designed for ease and guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, you’ll find joy in preparing this irresistible treat that truly embodies the spirit of Christmas.
Discover the BEST White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge for Your Holiday Season
There are holiday treats, and then there’s *this* White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge. The moment you taste its creamy, minty goodness, you’ll understand why it’s a true Christmas classic. It’s the kind of dessert that instantly puts you in a festive mood, making you want to hum carols and share the joy with everyone around you. While holiday baking can sometimes feel like a daunting task, this recipe is a breath of fresh air. It’s so straightforward and forgiving that you can banish any pre-holiday jitters and simply enjoy the process of creating something truly special. This fudge isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience, a delightful bite that evokes warmth, cheer, and the undeniable magic of the festive season. Its vibrant white base, speckled with contrasting red peppermint, makes it as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat, ensuring it stands out on any holiday dessert table.
This recipe stands out as the ultimate choice for your festive celebrations because it perfectly balances rich flavor with remarkable simplicity. The blend of sweet white chocolate and invigorating peppermint is a timeless combination that captures the essence of winter holidays. Unlike many traditional fudge recipes that demand precise temperatures and extensive stirring, our method incorporates miniature marshmallows to achieve that signature soft, smooth texture with minimal effort. This means less time fussing in the kitchen and more time enjoying the magic of the season with loved ones. It’s a foolproof approach to creating confectionery perfection, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. Plus, the delightful aroma of peppermint will fill your home, instantly setting a joyful holiday ambiance.
Whether you’re preparing for a festive gathering, assembling thoughtful gift baskets, or simply craving a sweet escape, this White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge is the answer. Its appealing appearance and irresistible taste make it a crowd-pleaser, ensuring compliments and requests for the recipe. So, embrace the spirit of the holidays with this unparalleled fudge, and let its delicious charm become a cherished part of your seasonal traditions. You’ll quickly see why it earns its title as the BEST White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge.
Achieving Perfection: White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge with Mini Marshmallows
The secret to achieving luxuriously creamy and consistently perfect fudge without the fuss lies in one magical ingredient: miniature marshmallows. Melting these fluffy delights alongside your favorite white chocolate pieces creates the smoothest path to great fudge. The marshmallows not only contribute to the fudge’s delightful texture but also simplify the cooking process significantly. Instead of painstakingly monitoring sugar crystallization, the marshmallows help ensure a soft, pliable consistency that’s far less prone to becoming grainy or too hard.
All you need to do is combine your ingredients in a saucepan, gently melting and heating the mixture until it reaches approximately 234 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is just shy of the traditional 235-degree “soft ball” stage, which is crucial for perfect fudge consistency. The beauty of using mini marshmallows is that they melt incredibly quickly and evenly, speeding up your cooking time. If you only have larger marshmallows on hand, don’t fret! Simply cut them into smaller pieces to facilitate faster and more uniform melting. Once the mixture reaches the desired temperature and all the components are smoothly incorporated, you’re ready to pour, cool, and serve. This method takes the guesswork out of fudge making, allowing you to create a professional-quality treat with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment. The result is a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate peppermint fudge that’s simply divine.
A Comprehensive Guide: How to Make White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Making White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge is an exceptionally simple process, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced candy makers. Beyond its ease of preparation, this fudge also serves as an exquisite homemade gift. If you enjoy crafting a variety of festive treats to share with friends, family, and neighbors, this recipe is an absolute winner. Its elegant appearance, vibrant white color, and festive red peppermint accents make it truly stand out. Imagine presenting a beautiful tin filled with an assortment of homemade goodies; this peppermint fudge will undoubtedly be a star. It looks stunning when arranged in a holiday cookie tin or packaged individually in cellophane bags tied with a charming ribbon. After all, who doesn’t love the rich, creamy indulgence of homemade fudge, especially during the holidays?
This section will guide you through each step, ensuring your White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge turns out perfect every time. From selecting the best ingredients to achieving the ideal consistency, we’ll cover everything you need to know to create a batch of fudge that’s both delicious and visually appealing. Prepare to impress everyone with your candy-making prowess!
Gathering Your Essential Ingredients
Before you begin, ensure you have all your ingredients measured and ready. This mise en place approach makes the cooking process smooth and stress-free. For this delightful white chocolate peppermint fudge, you will need: granulated sugar, evaporated milk for its creamy texture, unsalted butter for richness, high-quality white chocolate chips or a bar broken into pieces, miniature marshmallows for their melting properties and smooth consistency, pure vanilla extract to enhance the flavors, peppermint extract for that signature festive kick, and a generous amount of crushed peppermint candy canes for topping and added crunch.
The Simple Steps to Fudge Perfection
Begin by preparing an 8×8 inch baking dish. Line it completely with foil, ensuring enough overhang on the sides to easily lift the fudge out once it’s set. Lightly spray the foil with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. In a sturdy saucepan, combine the sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Place the saucepan over medium heat and gradually bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and prevent scorching. Once it reaches a boil, continue to cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 234 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is crucial for the fudge’s setting consistency.
Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat once it reaches 234°F. Stir in the white chocolate chips, miniature marshmallows, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Continue stirring diligently until the marshmallows and white chocolate have completely melted and the mixture is perfectly smooth and uniform. This step requires continuous stirring to ensure everything is fully incorporated and creamy.
Promptly pour the hot fudge mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly using a spatula. While the fudge is still warm and soft, generously sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the entire surface, gently pressing them into the fudge to ensure they adhere. This not only adds a beautiful visual appeal but also a delightful crunch and intense peppermint flavor. Allow the fudge to cool completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator until it is firm enough to cut into pieces. Once firm, use the foil overhang to lift the fudge from the pan, peel away the foil, and cut it into desired squares. Store your delicious White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and flavor.
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Found your new favorite holiday treat? Make sure you don’t lose this amazing White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Recipe! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board now so you can easily find it year after year. Share the festive sweetness with your followers!
Demystifying White Chocolate: The Sweet Foundation for Peppermint Fudge
It’s a common culinary debate: is white chocolate truly “chocolate”? Technically speaking, white chocolate isn’t considered real chocolate because it doesn’t contain cocoa solids, which are responsible for chocolate’s characteristic brown color and robust flavor. Instead, white chocolate is primarily made from cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, and often vanilla. Cocoa butter is the fat extracted from the cocoa bean, and while it provides the luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture, it has a very mild, almost neutral flavor on its own. The primary flavor profile of white chocolate, particularly in fudge, comes from the sweet, slightly caramelized taste of the evaporated milk and the added sugar and vanilla.
However, regardless of its technical classification, what matters most when enjoying a delightful treat like this White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge is its taste! The creamy, sweet base of white chocolate perfectly complements the refreshing burst of peppermint, creating a harmonious and irresistible flavor combination. Its smooth texture and rich sweetness make it an ideal canvas for infusing strong flavors like mint.
If you’re a purist who craves the deep, complex flavor of real chocolate, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily switch out the white chocolate chips for your favorite milk or dark chocolate chips. Imagine a rich dark chocolate peppermint fudge – a decadent twist on a holiday classic! The method remains the same, allowing you to customize this recipe to perfectly suit your chocolate cravings while still enjoying that refreshing peppermint kick. So, whether you prefer the creamy sweetness of white chocolate or the intense notes of traditional chocolate, this peppermint fudge recipe can be adapted to create your perfect holiday indulgence.
Optimal Storage for White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge: Keeping it Fresh
When it comes to storing your delicious White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge, there’s one crucial tip to keep in mind, especially if you plan to share it with other holiday treats: peppermint is a powerful flavor. Anything stored alongside your peppermint fudge will likely pick up some of its distinct minty essence. So, it’s generally best practice to keep this festive fudge separate from other items. Of course, if you’re a devoted mint lover and wouldn’t mind a hint of peppermint in your sugar cookies, then feel free to mix and match!
However, if you intend to package your peppermint fudge with other non-peppermint items, such as delicate Sugar Cookies, buttery Shortbread, or any other treats where the mint flavor isn’t desired, then careful wrapping is essential. Wrap the fudge tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring it’s completely sealed. This will work well for short-term storage, keeping the mint flavor contained for a few days. For longer-term storage, or if you’re preparing holiday tins filled with an assortment of goodies, be aware that the strong mint scent can eventually permeate even plastic wrap. For ultimate freshness and to preserve the original flavors of your other baked goods, consider storing your peppermint fudge in its own airtight container, away from other items. This simple step will ensure that all your holiday treats maintain their intended flavors and delightful aromas, making your holiday gift-giving even more special.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Here are some common questions about making and enjoying White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge:
Q: Can I use different types of chocolate?
A: Absolutely! While this recipe calls for white chocolate, you can easily substitute it with milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips for a delicious twist. The cooking method remains the same.
Q: How long does homemade fudge last?
A: When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade fudge can last for up to 1-2 weeks. If refrigerated, it can extend to 3-4 weeks. For best texture, bring refrigerated fudge to room temperature before serving.
Q: Can I freeze peppermint fudge?
A: Yes, fudge freezes wonderfully! Wrap individual pieces or blocks tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
Q: What if my fudge doesn’t set?
A: The most common reason fudge doesn’t set is not reaching the correct temperature during the boiling stage. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and cook the mixture to precisely 234°F. Over-stirring during the cooling phase can also inhibit setting.
Q: Can I use fresh mint instead of peppermint extract?
A: Peppermint extract provides a much stronger and more consistent mint flavor than fresh mint. For fudge, extract is recommended to achieve the desired intense peppermint taste.
Q: How do I crush candy canes easily?
A: Place candy canes in a sturdy Ziploc bag, remove excess air, and then gently crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan until you reach your desired consistency.
Explore More Delicious Fudge Recipes!
If you share my passion for rich, creamy fudge, then you’re in for a treat! Be sure to explore my collection of favorite fudge recipes, offering a variety of flavors and textures to satisfy every craving. From classic chocolate to unique seasonal variations, there’s a fudge recipe for every occasion. Discover new ways to indulge in this delightful confectionery!
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Print Recipe
White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
5 minutes
15 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 20 minutes
Candy
American
best, Christmas mint fudge, easy, miniature marshmallows, Mint Fudge, no sweetened condensed ilk, White chocolate peppermint fudge recipe, white peppermint fudge, white peppermint marshmallow fudge
56 pieces
58kcal
Michaela Kenkel
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 5 ounce can evaporated milk
- ½ cup butter
- 1 11 ounce package good quality white chocolate chips
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 4-5 crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 baking dish with foil, ensuring an overhang on the sides for easy removal, and spray thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Gradually bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and ensure sugar dissolves. Continue to heat until a candy thermometer reads exactly 234 degrees F. Once this temperature is reached, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the white chocolate chips, miniature marshmallows, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Stir continuously until all marshmallows and chocolate have completely melted and the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Pour the hot fudge mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula. Immediately sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the entire surface, gently pressing them into the fudge to ensure they adhere.
- Allow the fudge to cool completely at room temperature, or in the refrigerator, until it is fully set and firm before cutting into pieces.
- Once set, use the foil overhang to lift the fudge from the pan, peel away the foil, and cut into your desired square sizes. Store the finished fudge in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Join the #ChristmasSweetsWeek 2020 Celebration!
Welcome to #ChristmasSweetsWeek 2020! We are thrilled to be co-hosting this festive event with Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures. What better way to embrace the magic of the holidays than with an abundance of delicious food and cheerful fun? This year, 21 talented bloggers from across the country have united to share some of their most cherished and delectable sweet Christmas recipes. Get ready to deck the halls and treat your taste buds to an array of very merry sweets, including indulgent fudges, classic cookies, heartwarming Christmas morning breakfasts, spectacular layer cakes, comforting cocoa recipes, and much more! Be sure to follow along on social media using our official #ChristmasSweetsWeek hashtag to catch all the festive inspiration. Wishing you all a truly Happy Holidays filled with sweetness and joy!
Enjoy these delightful #ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes from our fellow bloggers:
Breakfast and Baked Goods Recipes
Cranberry Orange Quick Bread by Simply Inspired Meals
Eggnog Cream Cheese Danish by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal by Making Miracles
Candy and Fudge Recipes
Chocolate Cherry Brownie Bites by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Hard Cinnamon Candy by Blogghetti
Oreo Balls by The Mandatory Mooch
Papaya Halwa by Palatable Pastime
White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge by An Affair from the Heart
Pastry and Dessert Recipes
Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies by Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
Chocolate Saltine Toffee by For the Love of Food
Christmas Snack Board by Love & Confections
Christmas Tree Krispie Treats by Sweet Beginnings
Hot Chocolate Cookies by Christmas Tree Lane
Lemon Olive Oil Sugar Cookies by The Spiffy Cookie
Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies [Vegan & Allergy-Friendly] by Bear & Bug Eats
Gingerbread House by House of Nash Eats
Gingerbread Layer Cake by The Redhead Baker
Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream Pie by A Little Fish in the Kitchen