Name: Festive White Chocolate Christmas Fudge Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 22 oz white chocolate chips (2 11-oz. bags, Ghirardelli brand recommended); 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes; ¼-½ teaspoon red gel food coloring (Americolor brand recommended); ¼-½ teaspoon green gel food coloring (Americolor brand recommended)

There’s something magically indulgent about a creamy, colorful treat during the holidays. This Festive White Chocolate Christmas Fudge Recipe brings together that classic, melt-in-your-mouth texture with bright red and green swirls that scream celebration — perfect for gifting or keeping all to yourself!

A stack of four square pieces of fudge is shown in the center, each piece with swirls of red, white, and green colors mixed in a marbled pattern. The top piece has a bite taken out, revealing a soft texture inside. Around the stack are more pieces of the same fudge spread out. The fudge rests on white marbled texture, with blurred green and red color sticks in the background along with a white bowl filled with an off-white ingredient. In the lower left corner, there are small decorative bells in red, green, and cream colors near the fudge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive White Chocolate Christmas Fudge Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive White Chocolate Christmas Fudge Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive White Chocolate Christmas Fudge Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I can’t get enough of making this fudge each Christmas. It’s simple, forgiving, and the colors brightened my kitchen (and spirits) instantly. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making it year after year too.

Super creamy texture: The white chocolate combined with sweetened condensed milk creates a perfectly smooth, melt-in-your-mouth fudge.
Festive swirls: The red and green gel colors swirl beautifully and add that classic holiday look right in your own kitchen.
Simple ingredients: No complicated steps or weird additions—just stuff you probably already have, making it a breeze to whip up last minute.
Great for gifting: It cuts easily into neat little pieces, perfect for homemade gifts or sharing at holiday parties.

The image shows several square pieces of fudge with bright swirls of red, green, and white colors blended on the top layer. Each piece has a smooth texture with the colors forming curved stripes that spread across the surface. The fudge squares are placed on a sheet of parchment paper resting on a wooden board, set against a white marbled textured background. The pattern on each piece is unique, with red and green colors twisting through the white base, creating a festive and colorful look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe literally relies on a small handful of ingredients that perfectly complement each other. The high-quality white chocolate chips give you that creamy sweetness, while the sweetened condensed milk adds richness and body. The butter helps with smoothness, and the gel food colorings create those vibrant festive colors without changing the texture.

Flat lay of two small piles of glossy white chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick, creamy sweetened condensed milk, four cold cubes of pale yellow unsalted butter neatly arranged, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant red gel food coloring, and another small white ceramic bowl holding bright green gel food coloring, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White chocolate chips: I prefer brands like Ghirardelli for their smooth melt and rich flavor; avoid cheap chips that can feel waxy.
Sweetened condensed milk: This thick, sweet milk balances the white chocolate and gives fudge its signature creaminess.
Unsalted butter: Adding cold cubes helps the fudge set up nicely and keeps the flavor balanced.
Red gel food coloring: Use gel coloring to get a bright color without affecting the fudge texture.
Green gel food coloring: Same as red, gel colors work best for mixing in thick chocolate mixtures.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this fudge is how you can play around with it. I love swirling in a little peppermint extract sometimes to kick it up a notch or sprinkling crushed candy canes on top for extra crunch. You’ll find your own favorite way to personalize it.

Peppermint variation: Adding ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract makes the fudge taste like Christmas in a bite—trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Dairy-free tweak: Use vegan white chocolate and coconut condensed milk to adapt it for dairy-free friends.
Less sweet version: Mix in some crushed toasted nuts for texture and less sugar per bite.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive White Chocolate Christmas Fudge Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan for Easy Cleanup

Line an 8x8-inch straight-sided baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to have enough overhang on the sides. This little trick is a lifesaver—it lets you lift the whole slab of fudge out easily after it sets, making slicing neat squares so much simpler.

Step 2: Melt and Mix Your Base

Place white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and cold butter cubes in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly for about 4–6 minutes until the chocolate melts fully and the mixture becomes silky smooth. I always keep the heat low and stir continually to avoid any grainy texture from overheating or burning.

Step 3: Divide and Add Colors Quickly

Scoop about a third of the warm fudge into a small bowl and stir in the red gel coloring—start with ¼ teaspoon, then add more if you want a deeper shade. Repeat with another third of the fudge and green gel coloring in a separate bowl. The last third stays plain white. Trust me, working fast here helps because the fudge mixture will start to firm up as it cools.

Step 4: Assemble Your Swirled Fudge

Dollop spoonfuls of each colored fudge randomly into the prepared pan. Then use a wooden skewer or butter knife to gently swirl the colors together. Don’t overmix; you want those pretty marbled patterns to show through. For a smooth top, press down lightly with a piece of parchment paper—just be gentle or you’ll flatten your swirls.

Step 5: Chill Until Set

Pop the pan into the fridge and chill for 2 to 3 hours until the fudge is completely set and firm to the touch. Then, use the parchment overhang to lift it out and cut into 1-inch squares—this recipe makes about 64 little pieces. I like to warm my knife briefly under hot water before slicing to get clean cuts.

Top Tip

From my experience, getting the fudge melt just right is key to that luscious texture. I learned the hard way that overheating or rushing the melting stage makes the fudge grainy, so I swear by low heat and constant stirring.

Constant stirring: Keeps the chocolate smooth and prevents the sugar crystals from separating, ensuring a creamy fudge.
Gel food coloring over liquid: Liquid colors can change the fudge’s consistency, so gels keep the texture perfect.
Work quickly with colors: The fudge starts setting fast once off the heat, so adding colors and swirling must be done promptly for best results.
Use parchment overhang: This makes lifting and cutting your fudge a stress-free moment instead of a sticky mess.

How to Serve Festive White Chocolate Christmas Fudge Recipe

white chocolate fudge - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top mine with a sprinkle of crushed candy canes or chopped pistachios—adds a festive crunch and a pop of flavor! Sometimes a light dusting of edible glitter makes it extra special when serving guests.

Side Dishes

It pairs so well with hot cocoa or your favorite spiced holiday coffee. Plus, it’s a delightful companion to fruitcake or gingerbread during a cozy holiday dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas parties, I like arranging the fudge cubes on pretty vintage plates alongside mini ornaments or pine sprigs for a rustic look. Wrapping small stacks in clear cellophane with a ribbon makes the perfect homemade gift that looks like it came from a candy shop.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your fudge in an airtight container in the fridge—mine keeps well up to a week and still tastes fresh and creamy. I always separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing

Freezing fudge works great! I wrap pieces in wax paper and freeze them in a container for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight to keep texture and flavor intact.

Reheating

If your fudge gets a little too firm after refrigeration, just let it come to room temperature before serving, or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds (careful not to melt it!)—it softens up beautifully without losing form.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate?

This particular recipe relies on the creamy mild flavor of white chocolate to balance the sweetness and showcase the festive colors. Using milk or dark chocolate would change the flavor and texture considerably, so I recommend sticking to white chocolate chips for the best results.

What if my fudge is grainy?

Grainy fudge usually means it was overheated or the sugar crystals separated during cooking. To avoid this, always stir over low heat and keep a close eye on your mixture. If it gets grainy, unfortunately, the texture can’t be fixed, but you can try using it as a base for truffles or crumble it over ice cream to avoid waste.

How do I get nice swirls without mixing all the colors together?

Dollop spoonfuls of red, green, and plain fudge randomly in the pan then use a skewer or knife to gently swirl once or twice. Don’t overmix! The key is to swirl just enough to create pretty marbled patterns without blending all the colors into one.

Can I make this fudge ahead of time for holiday parties?

Absolutely! This fudge keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to a week and can be frozen for a couple of months. I like to make it a few days before a gathering so the flavors meld and it’s ready to slice and serve when guests arrive.

Final Thoughts

This Festive White Chocolate Christmas Fudge Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions. It’s quick enough to make on a whim but feels like a real treat that spreads joy with every bite. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) it as much as I do—happy holidays and happy cooking!