Easy Christmas Fudge with Festive Red & Green Swirls

Are you ready to create some holiday magic in your kitchen? This easy Christmas fudge recipe is the ultimate festive treat! It’s quick to prepare, requires no baking, and delivers a wonderfully creamy texture every time. With vibrant red and green swirls, this Christmas fudge looks as good as it tastes. It’s truly perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with family during holiday gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Fudge

This delightful Christmas fudge recipe brings joy and simplicity to your holiday baking. You’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner!

• Effortless No-Bake Recipe: Forget the oven; this recipe comes together on the stovetop.
• Quick 10-Minute Active Time: Spend less time cooking and more time celebrating.
• No Candy Thermometer Needed: Simplifies the process significantly for beginners.
• Deliciously Rich and Creamy: Each bite melts in your mouth with decadent flavor.
• Visually Stunning, Festive Colors: The red and green swirls make it a showstopper.
• Perfect for Holiday Gifts: Package it beautifully for friends, teachers, or neighbors.
• Easily Customizable: Simple to adapt with different colors or flavorings.

Ingredients

Making this luscious Christmas fudge requires just a few key ingredients, mostly pantry staples. Gather these items to get started on your festive treat:

• 22 oz (2 11-oz. bags) white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli brand recommended for best results)
• 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
• ¼-½ teaspoon red gel food coloring (start with ¼ teaspoon and add more as needed to achieve desired color, Americolor brand is great)
• ¼-½ teaspoon green gel food coloring (start with ¼ teaspoon and add more as needed to achieve desired color)

Notes & Substitutions

High-quality ingredients make a noticeable difference in your Christmas fudge. Using good white chocolate chips, like Ghirardelli, ensures a smooth, creamy texture and superior flavor.

Understanding the difference between products like sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk is crucial for recipe success, as they have distinct compositions and culinary uses. Sweetened condensed milk, for example, is much thicker and contains added sugar, unlike evaporated milk. Learn more about the differences between sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk.

Always use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk, as they are very different products. Cold, cubed unsalted butter melts evenly and integrates smoothly into the mixture.

For coloring, always choose gel food coloring over liquid versions. Gel colors are more concentrated, producing vibrant hues without adding excess moisture that can alter the fudge’s consistency. You can substitute white chocolate with milk chocolate or even almond bark, though the flavor and texture will vary slightly. A pinch of salt, added with the butter, can also balance the sweetness beautifully.

Equipment

You don’t need fancy tools to make this delightful holiday treat. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Medium saucepan: For melting the fudge base.
• 8×8 inch square baking pan: To set your festive fudge.
• Parchment paper: Essential for easy removal.
• Rubber spatula or whisk: For stirring and mixing.
• Small mixing bowls: Three are needed for coloring the fudge.
• Wooden skewer or butter knife: To create beautiful swirls.

Instructions

Creating this beautiful Christmas fudge is a straightforward process, perfect for beginners. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time.

1. Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8-inch straight-sided baking pan with parchment paper. Let the parchment paper overhang the sides; this makes it easy to lift the set fudge out later.
2. Melt Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and cold, cubed unsalted butter. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula or whisk for 4-6 minutes until all the chips melt and the mixture becomes completely smooth. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
3. Divide Fudge Base: Transfer one-third of the melted white chocolate mixture into a small bowl. Move another third into a second small bowl, leaving the remaining third in the saucepan (or a third bowl).
4. Color Red: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of red gel food coloring to one of the small bowls. Stir thoroughly until the color is uniform and no white streaks remain.
5. Color Green: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of green gel food coloring to the second small bowl. Mix until the color is fully incorporated and uniform.
6. Dollop Colors: Randomly add dollops of the white, red, and green colored Christmas fudge mixture into the prepared baking pan until you’ve used all of the fudge.
7. Create Swirls: Use a wooden skewer or a butter knife to gently swirl the white, red, and green fudges together. Aim for a decorative pattern on top without overmixing the colors into one muddy shade.
8. Smooth Surface: Take a small piece of parchment paper and gently press down on the surface of the Christmas fudge while it is still soft. This creates a smooth, even top without disturbing your beautiful swirl pattern.
9. Chill Firm: Place the pan with the Christmas fudge into the refrigerator. Let it chill for 2-3 hours, or until the fudge is completely set and firm to the touch.
10. Slice and Serve: Once firm, remove the pan from the refrigerator. Use the overhanging parchment paper to gently lift the hardened fudge out onto a cutting board. Slice the Christmas fudge into 64 1×1 inch pieces and serve this festive treat!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

To ensure your Christmas fudge turns out perfectly, keep these tips in mind. Thoroughly lining your pan with parchment paper is key for easy removal and clean slicing. Work quickly when adding and swirling the colors; fudge sets as it cools. If your fudge starts to stiffen too much while coloring, you can gently re-warm it over very low heat for a few seconds, stirring constantly.

Avoid overcooking the fudge mixture, as this can lead to a grainy texture. Stir continuously until smooth, then remove from heat. For clean slices, use a warm, sharp knife; run it under hot water, wipe dry, and then slice. If your chocolate seems to seize or burn, it’s often due to too high heat or a drop of water. For grainy fudge, sometimes reheating gently with a tiny bit more butter or milk can smooth it out, though prevention is best.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This festive Christmas fudge makes an excellent holiday dessert or a thoughtful homemade gift. Arrange it on platters for parties or package it in decorative boxes for sharing.

Store your fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain its freshness and texture. For longer storage, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to two months. Thaw frozen fudge in the refrigerator before serving.

Variations

• Color Play: Adjust the shades of red and green, or swap them entirely for different holidays.
• Flavor Boosts: Add a teaspoon of peppermint, vanilla, or almond extract with the butter for extra flavor.
• Festive Toppings: Sprinkle with festive sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or chopped nuts before chilling.
• Chocolate Choice: Experiment with milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips for a different base flavor.

Nutrition Information

This Christmas fudge is a rich and indulgent holiday treat. The following nutrition information is an estimation per serving and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use liquid food coloring for this fudge?

No, it is best to use gel food coloring. Liquid food coloring can add too much moisture to the fudge, affecting its set and texture.

Can I use a different type of chocolate?

Yes, you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips. Be aware that this will change the flavor profile and color of your finished Christmas fudge.

Can I use almond bark instead of white chocolate chips?

Yes, you can use almond bark, which is often easier to melt and work with. However, it may result in a slightly different flavor and texture compared to using high-quality white chocolate.

How can I prevent grainy fudge?

To prevent grainy fudge, avoid overcooking the mixture. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth, then remove it promptly.

How long does the fudge need to chill?

The fudge needs to chill for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. This allows it to set completely and become firm enough for clean slicing.

Conclusion

This easy Christmas fudge with its beautiful red and green swirls is the perfect treat to brighten your holiday season. It’s a quick, no-bake recipe that delivers incredible flavor and a visually stunning presentation, ideal for sharing or savoring yourself. We hope you enjoy making this festive Christmas fudge as much as we do. Please rate this recipe and share your comments below!

Easy Christmas Fudge with Festive Red & Green Swirls

This festive recipe creates easy Christmas fudge with beautiful red and green swirls, perfect for holiday treats. Made with white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and butter, it's a simple yet impressive no-bake dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 64 pieces

Calories: 78

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Fudge Ingredients

• 22 oz white chocolate chips (2 11-oz. bags)
• 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cut into small cubes
• ¼-½ teaspoon red gel food coloring start with ¼ teaspoon and add more as needed to achieve desired color
• ¼-½ teaspoon green gel food coloring start with ¼ teaspoon and add more as needed to achieve desired color

Equipment

• 8x8 straight sided baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Medium saucepan
• Small bowls (2)
• Wooden skewer or butter knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

Preparation

1. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and cold butter cubes; stir constantly for 4-6 minutes until smooth, then remove from heat.
3. Transfer one-third of the melted mixture to a small bowl, add red gel food coloring, and stir until completely combined and uniformly colored.
4. Add another one-third of the melted mixture to a second small bowl, incorporate green gel food coloring, and stir until uniform.
5. Randomly place dollops of the white, red, and green fudge mixtures into the prepared baking pan until all is used.
6. Gently swirl the different colored fudges using a wooden skewer or butter knife to create a decorative pattern on top.
7. Using a small piece of parchment paper, gently press down on the soft fudge to create a smooth top without disturbing the swirl pattern.
8. Refrigerate the fudge for 2-3 hours, or until it is completely set.
9. Once set, lift the hardened fudge from the pan using the parchment overhang, place it on a cutting board, and slice into 64 1x1 inch pieces before serving.

Notes

Line your baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring an overhang, for easy removal of the set fudge. When adding food coloring, start with a smaller amount and add more gradually to achieve your desired vibrant red and green hues. Gently press down the fudge with a piece of parchment paper to smooth the top without disturbing the festive swirl design. Allow ample chilling time for the fudge to fully set before slicing into neat pieces.

Taya Bennett

Taya Bennett is the founder of YumEasyMeals, a platform dedicated to easy, delicious, and quick-to-prepare recipes for busy families. Passionate about everyday cooking, she simplifies meals with practical, accessible, and always delicious ideas.
Discover her creations at: yumeasymeals.com