Imagine creamy, minty sweetness with a festive pop of green that makes your holiday treats truly shine. This Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe brings all those cozy flavors together in a delightfully swirled, melt-in-your-mouth square that's as fun to make as it is to eat.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Every holiday season, I look forward to making this Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe because it’s simple yet ridiculously festive. It’s perfect for gifting, party trays, or just sneaking a square while watching your favorite Christmas movie.
- Vibrant Holiday Colors: The bright green peppermint layer makes this fudge stand out beautifully next to classic white sweets.
- Easy Swirl Technique: Creating that marbled effect is a fun, relaxing part of the process, and it always impresses guests.
- Delicious Peppermint Flavor: The peppermint extract adds a fresh, cool note that pairs perfectly with creamy white chocolate.
- Reliable Crowd-Pleaser: I’ve served this fudge at countless gatherings and it always disappears fast—people keep asking for the recipe!
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe combines classic fudge ingredients with peppermint and a festive green touch. Each element contributes to the silky texture and fresh holiday flavor, while the heart sprinkles add a touch of charm.
- Butter: Provides richness and smooth texture; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Sugar: Gives the fudge sweetness and helps it set properly.
- Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tang and creaminess that balances the sugar.
- White Baking Chocolate: Melts smoothly to create that classic fudge base; chop it finely for quick melting.
- Marshmallow Cream: Adds extra smoothness and a bit of chewiness to the fudge.
- Peppermint Extract: The star flavor here—use pure extract for best results, not imitation.
- Green Food Coloring: For that perfect holiday green color—add slowly to control shade.
- Heart Sprinkles: Adds adorable festive flair and a bit of texture on top.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can dial up the peppermint for a kick, or switch out the sprinkles to match any party theme.
- Variation: One year, I swapped the green food coloring for a pale pink and added raspberry extract instead of peppermint—still a hit and perfect for Valentine's Day!
- Dietary Mods: Try using dairy-free white chocolate and vegan marshmallow cream if you need a dairy-free version.
- Texture Tips: Stir gently when folding in the chocolate and marshmallow cream to keep that silky, smooth finish.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan with Buttered Foil
I always start by lining an 8-inch square pan with foil, letting the edges overhang for easy fudge removal. Then, I give that foil a good rub with softened butter—this keeps the fudge from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cook the Sugar Mixture to Soft-Ball Stage
Next, combine sugar, sour cream, and the remaining butter in a heavy-bottom saucepan. Stir frequently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then crank the heat to bring it to a rapid boil. Keep cooking until it hits about 234°F or the soft-ball stage—test by dropping a bit into cold water; it should form a soft, pliable ball. This step requires patience, but trust me it’s worth it to get the perfect fudge texture.
Step 3: Melt in Chocolate, Marshmallow, and Peppermint
Take the pan off the heat, then stir in your chopped white chocolate, marshmallow crème, and peppermint extract. Stir gently but thoroughly until everything melts into a smooth, luscious mixture—that’s your fudge base!
Step 4: Create That Classic Green-White Swirl
Pour half the fudge into your prepared pan. To the remaining fudge, add five drops of green food coloring and stir well. Spoon the green fudge over the white layer, then take a knife and swirl the two colors together for that fun marbled look. Don’t over-swirl—those pretty streaks give the fudge character!
Step 5: Top and Chill
Sprinkle your heart decorations right on top before popping the pan in the fridge. It takes about an hour for the fudge to set well. Once firm, use the foil edges to lift the fudge out, peel back carefully, and cut into 1-inch squares.
Top Tip
From years of making this Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help make it shine every time.
- Soft-Ball Stage Test: I always test the sugar syrup in cold water instead of relying solely on a thermometer to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
- Gentle Stirring: When adding chocolate and marshmallow cream off the heat, stirring gently prevents the fudge from becoming grainy.
- Swirl Smart: For that perfect marbled look, fewer swirls create gorgeous contrast, so don’t overdo it.
- Sprinkle Timing: Add your decorative sprinkles right before chilling so they stick well and don’t sink.
How to Serve Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top the fudge with red and white heart sprinkles for the holidays, which add a playful crunch and complement the green and white swirls beautifully. Crushed candy canes work wonderfully too for a peppermint kick and festive vibe.
Side Dishes
This fudge pairs perfectly with a hot cup of cocoa or a peppermint-spiced coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. It’s also fantastic alongside classic holiday cookies or a fruit platter for a balanced dessert tray.
Creative Ways to Present
For a holiday gift, I love wrapping individual fudge squares in wax paper and stacking them in decorative tins. During parties, arranging the fudge on a tiered tray alongside fresh mint leaves adds a festive, elegant touch everyone admires.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Green Peppermint Fudge in an airtight container in the fridge, layering parchment or wax paper between pieces to keep them from sticking. This keeps the fudge fresh and creamy for up to two weeks.
Freezing
Freezing fudge is a game-changer when you want to prepare ahead. I wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. It holds beautifully for up to three months—just thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Reheating
Reheating fudge isn’t usually necessary, but if you want it softer, let it sit at room temperature a bit or warm gently in the microwave on low power for a few seconds. Just be careful not to melt it completely!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Sour cream adds a subtle tang and helps keep the fudge moist and creamy. If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with Greek yogurt or creamed coconut, but it might change the texture slightly.
No worries! Use the cold water test to check the soft-ball stage: drop a spoonful of the hot sugar mixture into very cold water—it should form a soft, pliable ball you can pick up with your fingers. This indicates it’s ready.
Timing and gentle stirring are key. Remove the pan from heat before adding the chocolate and marshmallow cream, then stir gently until smooth. Avoid overcooking the sugar mixture and don’t rush the cooling process.
Absolutely! Start with ½ teaspoon as the recipe suggests and add another drop or two if you want a stronger mint flavor. Just be careful—too much peppermint extract can make the fudge bitter.
Final Thoughts
This Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe is one I come back to year after year because it brings that perfect festive cheer with minimal fuss. It’s a sweet little tradition I love sharing, and I’m confident you’ll find it just as rewarding to make and to gift. Give it a try—you’ll want to keep this one in your holiday lineup!
Print
Green Peppermint Fudge Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 60 pieces
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Grinch Fudge combines creamy white chocolate and marshmallow with a peppermint twist, layered and swirled with green food coloring and topped with colorful heart sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie trays, or movie night treats, this easy-to-make fudge delivers a deliciously rich and festive sweet bite.
Ingredients
For the Fudge
- 1-½ teaspoons butter, softened
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- 12 squares (12 ounces) white baking chocolate, chopped
- 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 5 drops green food coloring
- ¼ cup heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on the sides. Grease the foil with 1-½ teaspoons of softened butter, then set aside.
- Cook the sugar mixture: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, sour cream, and remaining ¼ cup butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a rapid boil and cook for about 5 minutes or until the mixture reaches 234°F (soft-ball stage).
- Mix fudge base: Remove the saucepan from heat. Add the chopped white chocolate, marshmallow cream, and peppermint extract. Stir until both the chocolate and marshmallow cream are melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Layer and color fudge: Pour half of the fudge mixture into the prepared pan. Add 5 drops of green food coloring to the remaining fudge in the saucepan, stirring to incorporate. Spoon the green fudge over the white layer in the pan, then use a knife to swirl the two colors together for a marbled effect.
- Add toppings and chill: Sprinkle the heart sprinkles evenly over the top. Refrigerate the fudge until firm, about 2 hours.
- Cut and serve: Once set, use the foil overhang to lift the fudge from the pan. Peel away the foil and cut into 1-inch squares. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
- This fudge is ideal for Christmas parties and festive holiday gatherings.
- Use a candy thermometer to accurately test for the soft-ball stage to ensure perfect fudge texture.
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, increase peppermint extract slightly, but add sparingly to avoid overpowering.
- Swirling the two fudge layers quickly before chilling helps create the beautiful marbled effect.
- Store fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 73 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 13 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg

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