The Best Christmas Fudge Recipes (2024)

Prepare yourself for the best Christmas fudge recipes all in one place! I have been making fudge for years and I cannot wait to share my favorites with you, along with how to store, gift, freeze, and even use up dried out fudge.

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RELATED READING: The Best Christmas Cupcake Recipes

Holiday Fudge Recipes

Below you’ll find tips on gifting, storing, and using fudge but friends, I bet you’re here for the amazing Christmas fudge recipes. So let’s do those first!

The Best Christmas Fudge Recipes

Make the season even more festive with these "best of the best" Christmas fudge recipes. You'll find different flavors and recipe ingredients to accommodate tastes and themes, as well.

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Make White Chocolate Christmas Fudge for the Holidays!

This white chocolate Christmas fudge recipe is a great basic fudge to start with. The kids can even help with this one!

This eggnog fudge recipe is one of my all-time favorite recipes during the holidays because I LOVE eggnog (obviously) and this is so creamy and decadent.

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Peppermint Fudge is the Best Christmas Fudge Ever!

Another basic Christmas fudge recipe is this peppermint fudge. And friends, it looks AMAZING when gifted (you can even add crushed peppermint to the top and press it in a bit for a more dramatic effect).

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How to Make Red Velvet Fudge in Minutes!

One of the most decadent recipes is the red velvet fudge recipe and wow - it is jaw-dropping when cut, as well.

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This Easy Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe is a Dream

STOP the presses! This salted caramel fudge recipe was the hands-down favorite of everyone last year. It's that salty, sweet combo that must have made it the winner.

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Make This Easy Grinch Fudge for a Fun Christmas Fudge Twist!

If you have kids, this Grinch Fudge will likely be the winner in your house. My daughter loved helping make this for a few of her friends (and snacking on it, as well).

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Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Wins Holiday Treat of the Year!

For more refined tastes, this dark chocolate peppermint fudge recipe was the winner last holiday season. I'll definitely make it again this year, cutting larger individual pieces and stacking them to "up" the presentation factor.

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How to Gift Fudge

As you’ll read in the next section, fudge should be stored in an airtight container on the counter. Packaging fudge doesn’t mean you have to give it to your gift recipient in one, but you should make note of it on a gift tag because fudge can dry out in just a couple of days if not properly stored.

Below are a few tips on how to give fudge as a gift and some fun ideas to package fudge for friends and family.

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How to Store Fudge and How Long Does Fudge Last?

During the holiday season, I am frequently asked how to store fudge after it has been made. For the most part:

  • Ensure the fudge is completely cooled. It’s best to give it two hours to fully cool and set.
  • Fudge should be stored in an airtight container, either in individual portions or as a block.
  • Store fudge at room temperature.
  • A freshly made fudge should keep at room temperature between 2 and 3 weeks when sealed in an airtight container.

Other tips on storing fudge include using wax paper in between layers (or cutting individual pieces for serving sizes) and ensuring the fudge stays out of direct sunlight.

You can also place fudge in the refrigerator. Use the same tips as above, however, use as small of a container around the fudge as possible to remove as much air.

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Can I Freeze Fudge?

Another question which comes up quite frequently is whether or not it is “safe” to freeze fudge. Sometimes, people ask, “Is it safe to freeze fudge made with condensed milk?”

You will be happy to know that yes, you can freeze fudge (which is pretty awesome because I always save just a little of each Christmas fudge recipe I make). ;)

Frozen fudge should be used within 6 months. To freeze fudge, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure the fudge is completely cooled.
  2. Cut fudge into small, individual servings. This is not 100% necessary, but it does make it easier when defrosting and/or just getting a small amount as a treat.
  3. Wrap each portion in wax paper.
  4. Cover each wax paper-wrapped portion in Saran™, Glad® Cling Wrap, or foil (best for condensed fudge recipes).
  5. Place individually wrapped fudge into a freezer-safe container. I use glass storage or plastic freezer bags – both work well.

To defrost fudge, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly. There is no need to remove the individual wrappings before thawing.

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What Do I Do With Dried Out Fudge?

Friends, if you fudge wasn’t sealed correctly or you had a late-night sweet-filled binge session and forgot to properly store it, no worries.

Here are two ways to still use dried fudge:

  • Add moisture.
    • Add the dried fudge to an airtight container and place a piece of fresh sandwich bread inside. The fudge will absorb some of the moisture from the bread and could possibly be fully revitalized!
    • Place the fudge in foil and and a few tablespoons of water into a low-temperature oven (225-250 F) for about 10 minutes.
  • Dried out fudge can be used so many ways, so don’t throw it out!
    • add dried fudge to ice cream (oh, so good)
    • cut up fudge into small chunks and bake into muffins or cupcakes (my favorite way to use old fudge)
    • make brownies and add fudge chunks before baking (maybe add a few mini marshmallows and nuts for a Rocky Road Brownie treat)

Other Fudge Recipes You Might Like

I make a TON of fudge (it’s so easy, so why not?) and here are some other fan favorites.

  • Rocky Road Fudge Recipe – this is the over-the-top fudge everyone loves
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge – try it, it’s amazing
  • Circus Animal Cookie Fudge – my daughter’s favorite fudge to make

Which Fudge Recipe is Your Favorite?

Let me know in the comments or here in the Facebook group which fudge flavor combination is your favorite. If you have questions about these recipes or tips, let me know.

As always, your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful when you share this on your Facebook timeline, into a Facebook group, or save it to Pinterest.

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The Best Christmas Fudge Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

What is the most popular flavor of fudge? ›

After years of testing recipes, we're pretty sure we have a handle on the most popular fudge flavors, but chocolate and cherry will always rank high on the list.

How long will homemade fudge last? ›

How Long Does Fudge Last in the Fridge? To keep fudge fresh, it's important to keep it cool. With proper storage, fudge can last in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

While you ultimately want crystals to form, it's important that they don't form too early. The key to successful, nongrainy fudge is in the cooling, not the cooking. The recipe calls for heating the ingredients to the soft-ball stage, or 234° F, then allowing it to cool undisturbed to approximately 110° F.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

What is the world's best fudge? ›

While fudge was not invented on Mackinac Island, it most certainly – and most deliciously – was perfected here.

What city is known for fudge? ›

Whether you visit Mackinac Island on National Fudge Day in June or any other day – maybe during the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in August – come find your favorite flavor and experience the fudge capital of the world!

Should fudge be soft or firm? ›

Desired texture

It should hold together well without being too hard and, above all, has to be melty and silky in your mouth. It's the size of sugar crystals that makes the knees of fudge lovers buckle…the smaller the crystals, the less they are perceived on the tongue and the more the fudge tastes smooth and creamy.

What is the ball method fudge? ›

According to most recipes, the ingredients of fudge are cooked to what is termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

What happens if you boil fudge too long? ›

Candy that isn't cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard. High-quality fudge has many small crystals. If the process of crystallization begins too early, fewer crystals form and they become much larger.

Does fudge made with sweetened condensed milk need to be refrigerated? ›

Condensed milk fudge will last about 2 weeks at room temperature in an air tight container and about a month if refrigerated.

Is it OK to leave fudge out overnight? ›

Fudge is best stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks wrapped up in its original wax paper. NEVER REFRIGERATE your fudge as this will draw out the moisture and leave you with dry, crumbly fudge.

Should you stir fudge constantly? ›

Stir Constantly: Stir the fudge mixture continuously, especially during the melting process, to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. Use Sweetened Condensed Milk: Sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness and creaminess to fudge, creating a smooth texture.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

How can I firm up my fudge? ›

How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream.

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