Rich chocolate and cool peppermint come together in this easy recipe for Peppermint Hot Chocolate Fudge! Made in the microwave and topped with crushed candy canes and a dollop of frosting, these peppermint fudge squares are quick to make and so festive for the holidays.
Peppermint hot chocolate is a wintertime favorite, and now you can enjoy all of that delicious minty chocolatey goodness in a rich and silky fudge recipe!
If you love ordering a peppermint hot chocolate or a peppermint mocha from your favorite coffee shop, I know you’ll love this peppermint fudge!
Peppermint and chocolate fans will also enjoy my Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, Chocolate Peppermint Mini Cakes, Peppermint Chocolate Macarons, and Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This holiday candy recipe is seriously simple to make and doesn’t require a candy thermometer or any special equipment. In fact, it’s cooked in the microwave, so it takes very little time and is essentially fail-proof.
You’ll also love that it’s extra flavorful, with the addition of hot cocoa mix, crushed peppermint sticks, and sweet marshmallow bits. A bit of vanilla frosting on the top of the fudge makes each square feel like a fancy cup of peppermint hot chocolate from your favorite cafe!
Peppermint fudge also makes a wonderful edible gift for Christmas! Wrap up a few pieces in a cute box with a bow, and share it with your friends and family this year.
Need more easy fudge recipes? Try my creamy Eggnog Fudge or fun Puppy Chow Fudge!
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this peppermint fudge in the microwave:
- Chocolate Chips: I like to use mini chocolate chips to make microwave fudge. They melt more quickly and smoothly.
- Hot Cocoa Mix: Powdered hot cocoa mix has an especially sweet and rich flavor that makes this fudge extra good. Use a few packets of your favorite brand, or make your own hot chocolate mix from scratch.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This makes our fudge creamy and delicious! It’s also the ingredient that allows us to make this recipe in the microwave rather than cooking it on the stove. Be sure to buy condensed milk, not evaporated milk for making microwave fudge.
- Butter: This adds a rich flavor and gives the fudge a wonderfully smooth and silky texture.
- Crushed Peppermint Candy: You can use candy canes, soft peppermint sticks, or even starlight mints for this recipe. I’m using soft peppermint candy because it’s easier to crush up. I prefer to crush my own candy rather than buy it already done for me. I think it tastes better!
- Peppermint Extract: To give this fudge even more minty flavor. Be sure to use peppermint extract, and not “mint” extract for this recipe.
- Marshmallow Bits: Pick up (or order online) mini dehydrated marshmallow bits, just like you’d find in a packet of hot cocoa mix with marshmallows. How fun is it that you can buy these now?!
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Peppermint Fudge
- Get Ready: Line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray.
- Microwave the Condensed Milk: Add the sweetened condensed milk, and butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds. Remove from the microwave when the butter has melted and the mixture is very hot.
- Add Cocoa and Candy: Set aside 2 tablespoons each of the hot cocoa mix and crushed peppermint to use as decoration later. Add the rest to the bowl with the hot sweetened condensed milk and stir well.
- Add the Chocolate: Now add the mini chocolate chips and place the bowl back in the microwave for another 20 seconds. Stir, and continue to microwave in 20-second intervals until all of the chocolate chips are melted. Lastly, mix in the peppermint extract.
- Chill: Working quickly, press the warm fudge mixture into the prepared pan, making the top as even as possible. Place the peppermint fudge into the fridge to cool for 1-2 hours, or until solid.
- Decorate: Lift the fudge out of the pan and flip it upside down onto a cutting board. Cut the fudge into squares. Pipe a swirl of vanilla frosting onto each piece, then sprinkle with the remaining hot cocoa and crushed peppermint. Add mini dehydrated marshmallows as a final touch.
Tip!
If you used an 8-inch pan, cut the fudge into 25 pieces. For a 9-inch pan, make 36 squares.
Recipe Tips
- Go slow in the microwave. I know it can seem tedious to microwave the fudge for 20 seconds at a time, but I promise that this is the key to melting the ingredients evenly and without burning anything.
- It’s easy to use store-bought frosting to decorate this fudge. Just transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a star tip to create cute little dollops on each piece of fudge.
- Allow time for chilling. The fudge will need 1-2 hours in the fridge to firm up enough to slice. You can also place it in the freezer if you need to speed things up!
Storing Tips
Serve your hot chocolate peppermint fudge right away, or store in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
You can also freeze fudge for up to 3 months.
If you want the marshmallow bits to stay crispy, avoid adding them until just before serving. They’ll soften up in the fridge.
Recipe FAQs
Why is my fudge stuck to the pan?
Be sure to line your pan with parchment paper and grease the paper well with cooking spray or oil. This will keep the fudge from sticking and allow you to remove it very easily.
What are Soft Peppermint Sticks?
Soft peppermint candy is sometimes labeled as peppermint “puffs”. These are firm, airy mints that almost melt in your mouth. I prefer to use soft peppermint candy for this recipe, but hard peppermint candy can also be used.
What’s the best way to crush candy canes or peppermint sticks?
I like to put the candy in a heavy zip-top bag and then use the flat side of a meat mallet to crush it. Just take care, as the sharp pieces will eventually pierce the plastic. Add another bag if needed!
You’ll love how easy it is to make this peppermint hot chocolate fudge in the microwave! It’s perfect for Christmas, so be sure to save the recipe by pinning it so you can find it year after year.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
- 1 14- ounce (400 g) can sweetened condensed milk
- 4 tablespoons (49 g) salted butter
- 4 ounces (113 g) hot cocoa mix
- 5 ounces (141 g) soft peppermint sticks finely crushed
- 12 ounces (2 cups) (340 g) mini semi sweet chocolate chips
- ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¼ cup mini dehydrated marshmallow bits/sprinkles
- ½ cup vanilla frosting
Instructions
- Line an 8” or 9” square pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with oil.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and butter to a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds. Remove from the microwave when the butter has melted and the mixture is very hot.
- Set aside 2 tablespoons of the hot cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of the finely crushed peppermint sticks, then pour the remaining hot cocoa powder and crushed peppermint sticks into the hot sweetened condensed milk mixture. Stir well.
- Add the semi-sweet mini chocolate chips and place back into the microwave for another 20 seconds, remove and stir, continue to microwave the mixture in 20 second intervals until all of the chocolate chips are melted.
- Add the peppermint extract, and mix quickly, then immediately press the fudge mixture into the lined and greased pan, making the top as even as possible.
- Place the fudge in the fridge or freezer to cool until solid.
- Lift the fudge out of the pan and flip upside down onto a cutting board. Cut the fudge into 36 pieces if using a 9” pan, 25 pieces if using an 8″ pan.
- Pipe a swirl of vanilla frosting onto each piece of fudge, then sprinkle the tops with the remaining hot cocoa powder. Add the mini dehydrated marshmallows and crushed peppermint sticks as a final touch.
- Serve right away or store in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes:
- Go slow in the microwave. I know it can seem tedious to microwave the fudge for 20 seconds at a time, but I promise that this is the key to melting the ingredients evenly and without burning anything.
- It’s easy to use store-bought frosting to decorate this fudge. Just transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a star tip to create cute little dollops on each piece of fudge.
- Allow time for chilling. The fudge will need 1-2 hours in the fridge to firm up enough to slice. You can also place it in the freezer if you need to speed things up!
- Store: Fudge can be kept in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
marty says
very good