Gumdrop Candy Fudge
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My Candy Fudge is enough to get anyone in the holiday spirit! After all, those red and green dots nestled in the smooth white fudge are so bright and cheery. My gumdrop recipe is made with creamy, silky chocolate and flavored with just three additional ingredients — including yummy, gummy gumdrops!
Candy Fudge
Even the most bake-happy home cook will get sick of making sweets about a month into the holidays… Or at least running low on ideas!
For me, fudges are the perfect solution: they’re quick, they’re delicious, and you can make a whole boatload as easily as making a single serving.
I have a few other tricks up my sleeve, too: crockpot candies, cracker candies, and dump cakes. You just mix ‘em all together, cook ‘em, and they’re ready to serve!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- White Chocolate – I like to make holiday fudge recipes with white chocolate chips or morsels.
These tiny bites melt quickly and easily! But any kind of melting chocolate is fine. - Sweetened Condensed Milk – This thick, sugary ingredient melts the chocolate to smooth, luscious perfection and helps everything set.
Unfortunately, there’s no good substitute — you could sweeten some heavy cream, but it still won’t set just right. - Vanilla Extract – This is a can’t-miss ingredient! It heightens and complements all of our other flavors, especially the white chocolate!
The only substitute I’d really recommend is almond extract. - Red & Green Gumdrops – I actually like to use Dots, cut in half, to make gumdrop fudge!
Unlike the original gumdrop, these are fruity flavored — cherry and lime, to be exact.
Helpful Tips and Suggestions for My Fudgy Gumdrop Recipe
- Try it with the classically spiced gumdrop recipe!
Cinnamon, clove, anise, spearmint, and wintergreen — these are the spiced flavors of old. To many, these were the flavors of the holidays.
And they go well in my candy fudge, too!
- Different chocolate options to play around with.
Are you a fan of almond bark? This vanilla-flavored bar is just perfect for this recipe! It melts well and has its own unique taste.
You could really make this recipe with any kind of chocolate — milk, semi-sweet, and even dark.
These chocolates pair a lot better with the classic spiced gumdrop recipe than with Dots.
- Tips for a gorgeous presentation!
If you’re going to prepare some holiday fudge recipes, you should give them a holiday-worthy presentation!
Especially if you plan on giving them away as gifts, which is something I just love to do.
First, let it completely cool and set.
Instead of slicing in the pan, remove the whole slab (it should come out pretty easily if lined with foil or parchment) and trim the rough, uneven edges off.
Hold your knife under hot, running water, dry completely, then slowly cut your squares. They’ll be almost too pretty to eat!
Storing and Freezing Gumdrop Fudge
Keep in an airtight container free of any moisture or condensation.
Store right on the countertop, away from direct sunlight, for up to a week — or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing is easy as can be! Just wrap well in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil and store in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
Let thaw in the fridge, then soften at room temperature.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- A 9×9 Square Pan is perfect for making all kinds of holiday fudge recipes.
- Medium Saucepan – Heats evenly and is easy to clean too – both important qualities when you’re making candy fudge.
- A sturdy silicone spatula can be used for scraping, stirring, and smoothing and is easy to clean too!
Candy Fudge Recipe FAQ
Nope! It can be kept either at room temperature or in the fridge, though it’ll certainly last longer if chilled.
When it comes to making white chocolate candy, it’s mostly about having the right ratio of chocolate to condensed milk. After all, it’s not like regular fudges with regular chocolate — we’re not boiling for it to set.
Instead, we’re relying on it to harden as it always would after being softened and flavored by our other ingredients. If it’s not hardening, slowly melt again and add some more white cocoa to the mixture.
They’re primarily gelatin. The candies are sweetened with corn syrup, of course, and various sugars and extracts depending on the flavor.
More Delicious Holiday Fudge Recipes to Try
Gumdrop fudge looks a bit like my sugar cookie fudge. That recipe is sweeter, richer, and more decadent — a true holiday indulgence!
Then, there’s my minty Christmas candy cane fudge. Red and white and sweet all over, it has that cooling edge for a nice break from some of those heavier desserts.
But maybe you’re all about chocolate, chocolate, chocolate… I get it! That’s why I’m offering up my hot cocoa fudge too. That fluffy marshmallow on top makes the perfect bite!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Delicious Fudge Recipes
Gumdrop Candy Fudge
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups white chocolate chips
- 4 ounces sweetened condensed milk, one can
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped red and green gumdrops, Dots candy
Instructions
- Line a 9×9 inch square pan with foil or parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan over medium low heat add your chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.
- Stir until all melted and smooth, do not let this burn or cook too high as it will turn the chocolate a tan color instead of white.
- Once all the chocolate chips are melted remove the pan from the heat.
- Stir in the gum drops until just mixed in.
- Pour the fudge into your prepared 9×9 pan and smooth out.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours up to overnight.
- Remove the fudge from the pan once chilled and slice into bite size squares. You can cut the squares larger or smaller depending on your preference.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published November 2023
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I wasn’t sure about it, but it was delicious!! Love this recipe
Hi Dylan!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn