There’s just something magical about this peppermint fudge. Rich, creamy chocolate with that refreshing hint of mint — the perfect combo to brighten up any chilly day. This Peppermint Fudge Recipe feels like a cozy hug in every bite, and I'm excited to share it with you.

A wooden board holds many square pieces of dark brown chocolate fudge, with some squares stacked on top of each other. The front squares are sprinkled with small white and red candy pieces, adding color and texture on the smooth chocolate surface. Behind them, plain chocolate fudge squares create a neat pile. The board rests on a white marbled surface with a black and white striped cloth nearby. The overall look is rich and festive with simple, clean lines 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 Peppermint Fudge Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Fudge Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Fudge Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Peppermint Fudge Recipe has become my go-to when I want something sweet but feel like gifting a bit of joy through homemade treats. It's simple, fuss-free, and always a crowd-pleaser during holidays and random cozy nights alike.

Effortless and Quick: You can whip this fudge up in under 10 minutes, no complicated candy thermometer needed.
Delightfully Minty: The peppermint extract adds just the right amount of fresh zing without overpowering the chocolate.
Customizable Texture: Add crushed candy canes for crunch or leave it smooth for silky bites.
Perfect for Gifting: It stores well in the fridge and travels great if you want to share this little slice of happiness.

The image shows a pile of thick, rectangular chocolate fudge pieces stacked on a wooden board. Each piece is smooth and dark brown with a dense texture, topped with crushed red and white peppermint candy bits scattered unevenly. The fudge pieces are closely packed, with some leaning against each other, showing clean, sharp edges and small air holes on the sides. In the background, there is a cloth with bold, black and white stripes. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how each ingredient in this Peppermint Fudge Recipe plays its part without any complicated steps. They come together to create that classic smooth and rich texture you expect in fudge, with a refreshing hint of peppermint that feels just right.

Flat lay of a small mound of glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick sweetened condensed milk, a slab of pale yellow butter, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear peppermint extract, and a scattering of crushed red-and-white striped mini candy canes, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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

Semi-sweet chocolate chips: They melt beautifully and balance sweetness with a touch of deep cocoa flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk: This is the magic that makes the fudge creamy and perfectly set without needing temperatures checked.
Butter: Adds richness and luscious mouthfeel that enhances the chocolate’s flavor.
Peppermint extract: A little goes a long way to give that unmistakable minty freshness.
Crushed mini candy canes (optional): Adds festive color and a fun, crunchy texture if you’re in the mood to get a little fancy.

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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

What’s fun about this Peppermint Fudge Recipe is how easy it is to tweak — I sometimes splash in a bit more extract for extra mint madness, or skip the candy canes for a smooth, creamy elegance. Feel free to make it your own!

Variation: Once I tried adding white chocolate chips for a marbled effect, and it was surprisingly gorgeous and delicious. Totally worth experimenting if you like to mix things up.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Fudge Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Magic Together

Start by combining the sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and butter in a medium glass bowl. Pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds — I like to stop halfway to give it a gentle stir, which helps everything melt evenly and avoids burning. If you’re not a microwave fan, a double boiler on the stove works just as well; just keep stirring to help melt smoothly.

Step 2: Add Peppermint & Spread

Once the chocolate mixture looks silky and almost fully melted, add the peppermint extract. Stir thoroughly until it’s all smooth and glossy. Then, quickly scoop the fudge onto a parchment-lined tray and spread it evenly to about an inch thick — I find a silicone spatula really helps get nice clean edges.

Step 3: Top & Chill

This is when you sprinkle on crushed mini candy canes if you're feeling festive — it adds that lovely crunch and a splash of color. Then pop the whole tray into the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours or until it’s set firm. Once firm, slice into squares, and you’re all set!

Top Tip

After making this peppermint fudge a dozen times, I’ve learned some little things that make a big difference for perfect results every time.

Even Melting: Stir halfway through microwaving or double boiling to ensure chocolate and butter don’t scorch — patience pays off.
Don’t Skip the Parchment: Lining your tray makes removing fudge easy without any sticky mess.
Measure Peppermint Extract Carefully: Too much can overpower — start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust next time if needed.
Chill Time Matters: Make sure fudge is fully firm before slicing; cutting too early can result in sticky, messy edges.

How to Serve Peppermint Fudge Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with crushed candy canes for garnish because they add that festive crunch and look so pretty sprinkled on top. Sometimes, when I’m feeling creative, I toss on a light dusting of cocoa powder or a couple of mini chocolate chips for extra chocolatey flair.

Side Dishes

This fudge pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of peppermint tea or rich coffee — it’s the perfect contrast between warm and cool. I’ve also served it alongside homemade sugar cookies for a holiday dessert spread that everyone devours.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to cut the fudge into bite-sized mini squares and arrange them on decorative trays lined with festive paper. Sometimes I wrap small clusters in clear cellophane tied with red ribbons — they make the sweetest homemade gifts or party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover peppermint fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh and chewy for up to a week. Keep it chilled to avoid any melting or stickiness, especially in warm kitchens.

Freezing

Freezing works wonders if you want to stash this peppermint fudge for longer. I wrap individual pieces in wax paper and pop them in a freezer-safe container. When I thaw them in the fridge overnight, the texture stays just as creamy as fresh.

Reheating

There’s usually no need to reheat fudge, but if you want it softer, I gently warm individual squares in the microwave for about 5 seconds — just enough to take the chill off without melting the fudge completely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet in this peppermint fudge recipe?

Absolutely! Dark chocolate will give the fudge a richer, slightly more intense cocoa flavor. You might want to tweak the sweetness a bit since dark chocolate can be more bitter than semi-sweet.

Is it necessary to use candy canes for topping?

Nope! The crushed candy canes are totally optional. They add a pretty festive touch and a fun crunch, but the fudge is delicious and creamy all on its own.

Can I make this fudge without a microwave?

Definitely! If you prefer not to use a microwave, melting the chocolate, butter, and condensed milk together in a double boiler on the stove works beautifully. Just stir frequently to ensure everything melts evenly and doesn’t burn.

How long will the peppermint fudge keep in the refrigerator?

Stored in an airtight container, this peppermint fudge stays fresh and tasty for up to a week in the fridge. Just keep it chilled until you’re ready to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Fudge Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen — it always lifts my spirits and brings a subtle festive joy any time of year. I hope you give it a try, whether for holiday celebrations or just because you deserve a sweet little treat made with love.