Nothing quite captures the whimsy and sweetness of the season like a festive treat, and this Grinch Holiday Fudge Recipe nails it. With its vibrant green swirls and creamy white chocolate base, it's a playful dessert that brings joy to every bite—perfect for spreading holiday cheer.

The image shows small square pieces of a two-layer dessert on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. Each piece has a bottom layer that is smooth and white, topped with a bright green layer that looks soft and slightly textured. On top of the green layer, there are colorful sprinkles in red, blue, white, and green, as well as red heart-shaped decorations scattered around. The pieces are arranged close together in a somewhat random order. 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 Holiday Fudge Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Grinch Holiday Fudge Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Grinch Holiday Fudge Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve always adored the playful charm of the Grinch around the holidays, and this fudge perfectly captures that spirit. It’s creamy, a little minty, and those festive green swirls make it stand out on any dessert table. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to pull together.

Layered Charm: Two beautiful layers of fudge—classic white and bright green peppermint—swirled together for a stunning marbled look.
Easy and Fast: From start to finish in about 25 minutes, you’ll have a show-stopping treat without hours in the kitchen.
Party Perfect: Festive sprinkles add a cheerful crunch, making this fudge a hit at Christmas parties or as a holiday gift.
Minty Freshness: The peppermint extract gives just the right hint of cool without overpowering the creamy sweetness.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a key role—from the creamy melt of white baking chocolate to the tangy punch of sour cream. These combine beautifully to give you that fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth texture you want in a holiday treat.

Flat lay of a few small cubes of white baking chocolate, a small mound of granulated sugar, a small dollop of sour cream on a white ceramic plate, a small lump of softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth marshmallow cream, a few whole uncracked brown eggs resting nearby, a small white ceramic bowl containing bright green liquid food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl with clear peppermint extract, and a small handful of colorful heart-shaped sprinkles scattered elegantly, all arranged symmetrically 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: Separating the softened butter lets you greasing the pan perfectly and adds smooth richness to the fudge.
Sugar: The base for sweetness, it dissolves nicely with the sour cream and helps reach the perfect soft-ball stage for fudge.
Sour Cream: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness, giving balance.
White Baking Chocolate: Chopped into squares for easy melting, it blends into a creamy fudge base that's perfectly sweet and smooth.
Marshmallow Cream: This helps create the fudge’s distinctive fluffy texture and adds to the melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Peppermint Extract: The festive flavor punch that makes this a holiday classic—just enough to fill the kitchen with holiday vibes.
Green Food Coloring: Five drops create that iconic Grinch green—fun, festive, and perfect for swirling.
Heart Sprinkles: Adds a whimsical finishing touch with slight texture and color pop.

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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 giving this fudge a little extra personality depending on the occasion. Sometimes I swap out the peppermint extract for orange zest to surprise guests, or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for extra crunch and color.

Variation: Adding a handful of chopped pistachios or white chocolate chips gives a wonderful texture and festive green-speckled look.
Dietary Adjustment: For a dairy-free twist, try coconut butter or vegan margarine—but keep an eye on texture changes.
Seasonal Flair: Swap out green food coloring for red and use mini chocolate chips instead of sprinkles for a different holiday look.

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

A close-up view of a silver, foil-lined square pan filled with a smooth, bright green batter spread evenly on the top layer. The batter is decorated with red heart-shaped sprinkles and long thin sprinkles in white, red, and green scattered all over the surface. A woman's hand is seen gently placing some sprinkles on the top right side. The pan is set on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Pan Like a Pro

First things first—line an 8-inch square pan with foil, leaving plenty of overhang to lift the fudge out later. Then grease the foil with 1-½ teaspoons of softened butter. This little step makes cleanup a breeze and helps your fudge come out perfectly.

Step 2: Cook Your Sugar Mixture to Soft-Ball Stage

Combine the sugar, sour cream, and the remaining ¼ cup butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently to dissolve the sugar, then bring it to a rapid boil. I find using a candy thermometer here makes things foolproof—aim for 234°F (soft-ball stage). If you don’t have one, the cold water test works wonders: drop a bit of the syrup in cold water and see if it forms a soft, pliable ball.

Step 3: Mix in the Magic Ingredients

Take the pan off the heat and stir in chopped white chocolate, marshmallow cream, and peppermint extract until everything’s melted and silky smooth. This is when your kitchen starts to smell like the holidays—enjoy a sneak taste (trust me, you won’t resist!).

Step 4: Create Your Marbled Masterpiece

Pour half of the fudge into your prepared pan. Add five drops of green food coloring to the remaining mixture in the saucepan, then spoon it over the white layer. Use a knife to gently swirl them together—a few graceful twists turn this fudge from delicious to downright magical.

Step 5: Sprinkle, Chill, and Slice

Top the fudge with heart sprinkles for a festive finish, then pop it in the fridge until firm, usually a couple of hours. When it’s set, lift it out gently using the foil edges and slice into 1-inch squares with a sharp knife.

Top Tip

From my experience, a few little tricks make all the difference when you’re making this Grinch Holiday Fudge Recipe. These tips have saved my fudge from disasters more than once.

Use a Candy Thermometer: It takes the guesswork out of reaching the soft-ball stage, which is key to getting perfect fudge texture.
Don’t Rush the Boil: Cooking the sugar mixture long enough ensures your fudge sets correctly; patience pays off in creamy perfection.
Swirl Gently: When adding the green mixture, use a light hand with the knife so the colors blend beautifully without overmixing.
Grease Your Foil Well: It prevents sticking and makes it easier to lift the fudge out in one beautiful slab.

How to Serve Grinch Holiday Fudge Recipe

Grinch Holiday Fudge - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I stick with playful heart sprinkles because they add that iconic holiday feel, but crushed peppermint candies also work wonders—giving a nice crunch and extra minty zing.

Side Dishes

This fudge pairs perfectly with a warm cup of hot cocoa or peppermint tea, balancing the sweetness with a cozy drink. If you’re hosting a party, offer it alongside cookies or a cheese board for a nice contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

I love arranging the fudge pieces on a festive platter with eucalyptus sprigs or holly around the edges. For gifting, wrapping squares in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon makes a charming homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover fudge in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers, in the fridge. This keeps it fresh and firm for up to two weeks—perfect for nibbling over time.

Freezing

Yes, fudge freezes beautifully! I wrap individual pieces in wax paper and store them in a freezer-safe container. When you want a treat, just let them thaw in the fridge overnight for the best texture.

Reheating

Because fudge is best enjoyed cool and firm, I avoid reheating. Instead, bringing it to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving makes it soft and chewy without melting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Grinch Holiday Fudge Recipe without marshmallow cream?

Marshmallow cream is key for that smooth, fluffy texture, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with homemade marshmallow fluff or a similar product. Just know the texture might be slightly denser.

No candy thermometer? No worries! You can test the soft-ball stage by dropping a small spoonful of the hot mixture into ice-cold water. If it forms a soft, pliable ball that you can shape between your fingers, it’s ready to go.

Can I use regular chocolate instead of white baking chocolate?

White baking chocolate gives the best creamy texture and color contrast, but you can experiment with regular white chocolate bars. Just chop finely for even melting. Avoid using chocolate chips if possible, as they’re formulated differently and might change the texture.

How long will this fudge last?

Stored properly in the refrigerator, this fudge keeps fresh for about two weeks. For longer storage, freezing is a great option and it retains its flavor and texture well.

Final Thoughts

This Grinch Holiday Fudge Recipe has become a beloved tradition every Christmas in my family. It’s that perfect combination of playful presentation and delightful flavor that gets everyone smiling. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep this festive fudge in your holiday rotation year after year.