Nothing says festive quite like a sweet treat with a pop of holiday cheer, and this Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe does just that. It’s creamy, minty, and has this playful green swirl that makes everyone smile—perfect for sharing (or sneaking a few for yourself!).

The image shows several small square treats with two clear layers placed on a white plate. The bottom layer is smooth and white, while the top layer is bright green with a slightly rough texture. Each square is decorated with colorful sprinkles including red, green, white, and blue strands, along with small red heart shapes scattered on top. Extra sprinkles also lie around the plate on the white marbled surface. The treats are neatly arranged but some are overlapping in the foreground. 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 Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe with you because it’s one of those surprisingly simple desserts that instantly brightens up any holiday spread. I’ve brought this to multiple gatherings, and it always gets rave reviews—not just for flavor, but for its festive look.

Easy to Make: You don’t need fancy skills or hard-to-find ingredients—just a few pantry staples and a little love.
Visually Delightful: That vibrant green swirl with peppermint and sprinkles instantly makes it holiday-ready and fun to serve.
Mint Meets Sweetness: The peppermint extract balances out the rich, creamy white chocolate, so it’s never too sweet or overwhelming.
Perfect for Gifting: Cut into bite-sized squares, it’s ideal for cookie trays, party favors, or a festive treat at work or school.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a role in creating that perfect texture and flavor combo that makes this Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe special. Plus, shopping for these items is a breeze since nothing is too obscure or seasonal.

Flat lay of a few small cubes of white baking chocolate, a small pile of granulated sugar, a dollop of thick sour cream in a small white ceramic bowl, a few tablespoons of softened butter shaped in a small mound, a small white bowl filled with smooth marshmallow cream, a small white bowl with bright green liquid food coloring drops, a few fresh green mint leaves to represent peppermint extract, and a scattering of colorful heart-shaped sprinkles arranged on a simple white ceramic plate, 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

Butter: Using both a little for greasing and more in the fudge ensures a smooth, rich base with a melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Sugar: The sweetness is foundational here and works with sour cream to create a fudge that’s perfectly firm yet creamy.
Sour Cream: This might surprise you, but it adds moisture and tang that cuts through the richness for balance.
White Baking Chocolate: Chopped and melted, it lends that classic fudge creaminess and a beautiful white canvas for the green swirls.
Marshmallow Cream: Makes the fudge silky smooth and helps with that chewy, soft texture we all love.
Peppermint Extract: The festive star—adds just the right minty touch without overpowering the fudge’s sweetness.
Green Food Coloring: Gives us that signature Grinch green swirl, making it a feast for both the eyes and taste buds.
Heart Sprinkles: Not just cute—they add a little crunch and holiday sparkle to every bite.

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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

I love making the classic version of this fudge, but you can absolutely tweak it to fit your personal taste or dietary needs. Think of it as a fun canvas for your holiday creativity.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap the peppermint extract for a splash of almond or vanilla if I’m looking for a different twist, and it still tastes amazing.
Dietary Mod: For a lower-fat option, I’ve experimented with light sour cream—though the texture changes slightly, it still satisfies that fudge craving.
Seasonal Flair: Around Valentine’s Day, I use red food coloring and heart sprinkles to give it a festive spin beyond Christmas.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe

A close-up view shows a woman's hand sprinkling red heart-shaped and colorful red, white, and green sprinkles over a single green layer of smooth frosting in a silver rectangular pan lined with foil. The green frosting has a creamy, slightly swirled texture, covering the entire top of the pan. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Pan with Care

Start by lining an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving extra on the sides to make lifting out the fudge a breeze later. Grease the foil with 1 and a half teaspoons of softened butter—this stop prevents sticking and helps your fudge keep its shape when slicing.

Step 2: Cook the Sugar Mixture to Perfection

Combine the sugar, sour cream, and remaining butter in a sturdy saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar melts fully—don’t rush! Bring to a rapid boil and let it go for about 5 minutes or until it hits the “soft-ball” stage at 234°F. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, test it by dropping a tiny spoonful into cold water—it should form a soft, squishy ball between your fingers.

Step 3: Melt and Mix Your Chocolate and Peppermint

Take the pan off heat and immediately stir in your chopped white baking chocolate, marshmallow cream, and peppermint extract. Keep stirring until everything is silky smooth—this part is key for that luscious fudge texture.

Step 4: Create the Classic Grinch Swirl

Pour half the fudge mixture into your prepared pan. Add five drops of green food coloring to the remaining mixture, stirring it in gently. Spoon the green layer on top of the white and use a knife to swirl the colors together—don’t overmix, or you’ll lose that fun marbled effect.

Step 5: Sprinkle and Chill

Top your fudge with those festive heart sprinkles, pop it in the fridge, and chill until firm—usually about 2 hours. The foil edges will help you lift the whole batch out without breaking it.

Step 6: Slice and Share Joy

Use a sharp knife to cut into 1-inch squares. These bite-sized treats are ready to brighten your holiday gatherings or cozy nights in.

Top Tip

From my experience, the biggest key to perfect Grinch Peppermint Fudge is attention to temperature and timing. I can’t stress enough how much that soft-ball stage matters for texture.

Temperature Check: If you don’t have a candy thermometer, use the cold water test—I never skip this step because fudge texture depends on it!
Chocolate Timing: Add your white chocolate off the heat to avoid graininess and ensure smooth melting.
Swirling Swirls: When creating your green and white swirls, less vigorous swirling keeps a beautiful marbled look.
Sprinkle Last: Add sprinkles just before chilling so they stick well but stay colorful and crunchy.

How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe

Grinch Peppermint Fudge - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this fudge with little heart sprinkles because they add a festive pop and a fun crunch. Occasionally, I’ll sprinkle crushed candy canes too for an extra peppermint punch and texture contrast that’s hard to beat during the holidays.

Side Dishes

This fudge pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or peppermint-spiked coffee. It’s also a charming companion to your favorite holiday cookies or a cheese platter featuring mild crackers and soft cheeses—the perfect sweet balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging the fudge squares on a festive platter lined with evergreen sprigs or shiny foil doilies. Wrapping small stacks in wax paper tied with red or green ribbon makes great gifts or party favors that everyone appreciates.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge where it stays fresh and firm for up to two weeks. Just make sure to layer parchment paper between pieces if stacking to avoid sticking.

Freezing

Freezing works well too! I wrap individual squares in parchment and place them in a zip-top freezer bag. They thaw quickly at room temperature and still taste just as delightful, which makes them handy for last-minute gifting.

Reheating

Since fudge is best enjoyed at room temp, I simply take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Avoid microwaving, which can change the texture and make it grainy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular cream instead of sour cream in the Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe?

While you can try substituting regular cream, sour cream adds a subtle tang that balances sweetness and gives the fudge a smoother texture. Using cream alone might change the firmness and flavor slightly.

Why does my green layer blend completely with the white instead of swirling?

When swirling the green layer over the white, be gentle with your knife movements. If you stir too vigorously or mix too long, the colors will blend instead of forming a marbled effect. Try short, slow swirls for best results.

How do I know when the fudge mixture is cooked to the right stage?

This fudge is cooked to the soft-ball stage, which is about 234°F on a candy thermometer. If you don’t have one, drop a little of the mixture into cold water. If it forms a soft, pliable ball when you press it, it’s ready. This step is vital for texture.

Can I make this fudge ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! This fudge can be made 2-3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before serving so it softens and the flavors shine through.

Final Thoughts

This Grinch Peppermint Fudge Recipe has become a little holiday tradition in my house because it’s simple, festive, and always delivers that nostalgic, cozy feeling we crave at this time of year. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it really is a treat that brings smiles and sweet memories. So go ahead, swirl that green magic, and spread some fudge joy!