This peppermint bark fudge combines dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peppermint to make a super soft and creamy peppermint bark inspired fudge. By using a shortcut fudge base, we can skip the endless stirring and candy thermometer that traditional fudge recipes require. You only need 7 easy ingredients and, best of all, this fudge freezes beautifully so it’s a perfect make-ahead Christmas treat.
What is Peppermint Bark Fudge?
- Like peppermint bark, just in soft fudge form
- Two layers: white chocolate and dark chocolate
- Sprinkled with crushed candy canes
And here’s another reason why you’ll love it: there’s NO candy thermometer required. I also appreciate that there’s only 7 total ingredients. It’s quick, convenient, and easy.
Peppermint Bark Fudge Ingredients
Do you remember my gingerbread swirl fudge? We’re using a similar recipe here, but dividing it into 2 separate layers. The same ingredients are used for each layer, except the bottom has semi-sweet chocolate chips and the top uses white chocolate chips.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: One 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk is the base of the entire recipe. There’s no substituting it, unless you want to make traditional fudge with cooked milk and sugar– and you’ll need a candy thermometer for that! 1 standard can of sweetened condensed milk is a little over 1 liquid cup. (The “14 ounce” label regards the weight, not the liquid measurement.) So use 1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon in each of the 2 layers.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips & White Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips make this a no-fail recipe. They’re readily available and when mixed with sweetened condensed milk, they’re very easy to melt on the stove.
- Marshmallow Creme: The secret to the creamy texture? Marshmallow creme aka “fluff.” Hey, I never said this fudge was healthy! If you can’t find marshmallow creme, use a few Tablespoons of mini marshmallows instead. They’ll melt into the proper consistency this fudge requires. By the way, you can make your own homemade marshmallow creme too.
- Vanilla & Peppermint Extract: Both extracts add flavor to the layers. Avoid using regular mint extract, which makes desserts taste like toothpaste.
- Crushed Candy Canes: Stir 1/3 cup of crushed candy canes into the white fudge layer, then sprinkle more on top. The candy cane pieces become a little chewy in the fudge—awesome texture. Easiest way to crush candy canes: place the unwrapped candy canes into a plastic bag and lightly bang on them with a rolling pin. Trust me, kids love helping with this.
Since there are so few ingredients, it’s important to use each. And in order for the fudge to properly set, I don’t recommend any substitutions.
How to Make Peppermint Bark Fudge
If you know how to operate your stove, you can make easy peppermint bark fudge.
The Christmas Treat that Keeps on Giving
1 batch of this fudge yields 64 1-inch squares. In my experience serving fudge, people only eat about 2 small squares. Fudge is indulgent and sweet, so even a small pan makes a lot of servings. So if you need an easy Christmas treat for a potluck, cookie exchange, event, or party, make this fudge. You get a lot of bang for your buck. You could also make a batch of my Andes mint fudge. The green mint in that recipe would look lovely besides the red peppermint from these fudge squares. So festive!
Peppermint Bark Fudge Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan or a 9-inch square baking pan* with aluminum foil or parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to easily remove the fudge once it has set. Set aside.
- Combine 1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk (half of the can), chocolate chips, and marshmallow creme in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate chips have melted. Once the mixture is smooth, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts. Spread chocolate layer into the prepared pan. A small offset spatula is helpful for this. Place in the refrigerator as you make the white chocolate layer.
- Wipe the pot clean. (Wash and dry, or just wipe with a paper towel—careful, it’s likely still warm!)
- Combine 1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk (the rest of the can), white chocolate chips, and marshmallow creme in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the white chocolate chips have melted. This layer will be a little thinner than the chocolate layer. Once the mixture is smooth, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, peppermint extract, and 1/3 cup crushed candy canes.
- Pour over chocolate layer and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with extra candy canes, if desired.
- Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight until completely set. Once set, remove the fudge from the baking pan by lifting out the aluminum foil or parchment paper. Peel away foil and cut into 1-inch squares.
- Fudge stays fresh covered at room temperature for 1 week or in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks. I always stack it in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper.
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