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? ›

How to Make Fudge. The trick to good homemade fudge is to cook the ingredients to the right temperature to form a sugar syrup, and cool the mixture properly so the texture of the fudge turns out smooth and firm, but soft enough to cut. Here's how to make fudge on your stovetop and in your microwave.

What makes fudge moist? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

How long will homemade fudge last? ›

Typically, homemade fudge lasts about 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature, 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge, and up to 3 months in the freezer when stored in an airtight container.

Does condensed milk fudge need to be refrigerated? ›

Store the fudge in airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

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

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

Who makes the world's best fudge? ›

Mackinac Island Fudge – The Best Fudge on Earth
  • Original Murdick's Fudge.
  • Joann's Fudge.
  • Ryba's Fudge Shops.

What happens if you boil fudge too long? ›

If there is too much evaporation, when the cooking time is too long, there will not be enough water left in the fudge and it will be too hard.

Do you stir fudge when it's boiling? ›

To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.) of 35% cream and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely melted. Then let it boil without stirring until the thermometer reaches 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

Is it better to freeze or refrigerate fudge? ›

If you intend to enjoy your fudge relatively quickly, it's best stored at room temperature short-term. If you plan to keep your fudge for longer, the freezer will be your best bet. Keeping fudge in a cool, dry place free of light is crucial to keeping it fresh.

How to tell if fudge is bad? ›

Signs That Your Fudge Has Gone Bad

Signs of spoilage include a dry, crumbly texture, discoloration, and an off smell or taste. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the fudge to avoid any potential health risks.

How do you store fudge so it doesn't dry out? ›

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.

Why won't my 3 ingredient condensed milk fudge set? ›

Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool.

What is traditional fudge made of? ›

Fudge is a dense, rich confection typically made with sugar, milk or cream, butter and chocolate or other flavorings. The base for fudge is boiled until it reaches the soft-ball stage (135 to 140 degrees F), then stirred or beaten as it cools to minimize the formation of sugar crystals.

Is evaporated milk the same as condensed milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool.

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!

How to make fudge more solid? ›

there is too much leftover water in the syrup and the resulting fudge is soft. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 15 to 30 ml (1 or 2 tbsp.) of 35% cream and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely melted. Then let it boil until the thermometer reaches 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

How do you describe high quality fudge? ›

High-quality fudge tastes smooth and creamy because it contains small sugar crystals. It has a deep brown color and a satiny sheen. Poor-quality fudge tastes grainy because it contains large sugar crystals.

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