Easy Gingerbread Fudge is perfectly spiced and so flavorful, creamy, and melt in your mouth smooth. The perfect sweet holiday gift or treat that will impress!
Fudge for me is a staple over the holidays. I’m not sure what it is but there’s something about it that just makes it a requirement. I love to create fudge batches and give them as small, edible gifts to friends and family. To this date, I have yet to find someone who doesn’t enjoy receiving it or eating it!
You can cut it up and wrap it in parchment and then cellophane with ribbon and a card. Or you could put it a cookie tin. And luckily, with all the different types of fudge that I make, I’m able to create some wonderful gifts, great for any occasion…including school functions, birthdays block parties and anniversaries. I even used to give it as a secret Santa gift and everyone would hope that I picked their name so they would get a piece of my fudge.
Eventually I just started making fudge for the office and buying a separate secret Santa gift so that everyone would be able to enjoy it. I even started getting asked to make it for the clients and customers that would come into work. When I left the company I gave them a little print out of my fudge recipes so they could continue to enjoy it even though I wasn’t working there anymore. They missed me but were grateful for the joy the fudge had brought into their lives.
I have to say that I search for fudge on sweet trays. It looks absolutely wonderful, adding so much color and flavor. The tiny, tasty, bite-sized sweets disappear as soon as they’re served so I’m always on it when the sweet trays come out! My friends know that I love fudge and if I wasn’t bringing any, they made sure there were lots on the trays for me!
When I make fudge I make a few different varieties for those very reasons and I must admit that each of them taste amazing in their own right. Here is a list below.
Unique Fudge Recipes to Try
Chocolate Caramel Marble Fudge
If you’re a fudge lover like I am then I’m sure you’re going to love these recipes and will make them every year during the holidays if not all year long. Fudge lovers unite!
Fudge is a very easy and special dessert that I love to make all year round, There are so many varieties and so many methods of making it. It’s one of the easiest treats that you can make for your friends and family and definitely one of the most delicious.
Gingerbread is a delicious and wonderful flavor all year round but especially over the holidays with this Easy Gingerbread Fudge. An absolute must at any holiday gathering and a tasty treat for both kids and adults alike, it’s something that your friends and family will be asking you to make more and more of.
My son, Patrick, is the only person I know that actually requests a gingerbread cake for his birthday. One year he actually requested a gingerbread house, instead of a birthday cake which wouldn’t seem like much except for the fact that his birthday is in April!
I remember it well and it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. It was a bit odd seeing it but we had such a great time decorating a gingerbread house in the spring.
Just picturing the grass growing, a sandbox and even a little pool out the back makes me laugh. I really wish I had taken a picture of it. You would have had a great laugh yourself.
If you take a look at the picture below, of the decorated Easy Gingerbread Fudge, you will see a blank canvas…with you being able to cut the fudge into whatever size or shaped pieces you want. The world is yours to create.
You might want to cut on the diagonal instead of square, just to be creative. Regardless, the size is completely up to you. Sometimes I do make the pieces or squares bigger than other times. It really just depends on my mood and who I am serving. What do you prefer?
If you’re feeling super creative and have the time, you can even form the fudge into molds. Any kind of mold and any size you’d like to use to create your adorable little tasty treats is fine. You can do this to celebrate the holidays or any other special occasions. The possibilities are endless!
Gingerbread is such a classic flavor around the holidays. You can find gingerbread everything. From lattes and coffee to cakes and pies to all sorts of baked goods, including this Easy Gingerbread Fudge recipe.
Believe it or not but I’ve actually seen gingerbread flavored gum and candy. It was a long time ago and I don’t remember where I saw it. It stood out in my mind because I couldn’t believe that someone would go so far as to make gum in my favorite flavor!
The key to the flavor is the molasses. My husband, Ken, loves it when I add extra molasses to the fudge. It makes it a stronger, bolder flavor. You need to be careful though not to add to much the first time you make it. Just add a little at a time until you find the right amount for your liking.
When it comes to decorating the fudge, it is completely an option. This fudge tastes great on its own, without any icing drizzled on top or any sprinkles or sparkles added. (You could even go so far as decorating with melted chocolate or adding nuts to switch it up)
Me personally, I just love the bright, vibrant color the decorations add so I rarely serve this fudge without it. Either way, you’re definitely in for a treat when you taste this delicious Easy Gingerbread Fudge.
What Is White Chocolate?
Before we talk about white chocolate, let’s look at what chocolate really is. Well, it all starts with cocoa beans. The type and taste of chocolate is then determined by the treatment of the beans and the types and amounts of additives used.
White chocolate is, however, a chocolate confection made up of cocoa butter (not cocoa beans), sugar, and milk solids It may contain other sweeteners and flavoring like vanilla.
It is characterized by it’s pale ivory color and high melting point. For more information on white chocolate have a look here.
What forms does White Chocolate come in?
White chocolate can come in chip or square or melts (melts are small disks that have an easy melting point but similar to the chips). If a recipe calls for chips and all you have is baking squares (or vice versa) you have a couple of options.
If you have a kitchen scale you can weigh out your replacement in ounces. If you don’t have a scale, then just know that 1 ¼ cups of chips are the rough equivalent to an 8-oz bar of baking chocolate.
White chocolate chips tend to be thick and clumpy due to stabilizers added that make them resistant to melting. White chocolate baking bars melt easier than the chips, which is great for making candy or a chocolate sauce.
If all you have are chips and they’re not melting well, just add a tablespoon or two of butter or shortening to the mix and the chocolate should turn into a thin, smooth consistency.
It is also important to talk about the type of chips used. Cheaper brands will most likely have more fillers and and make them more resistant to melting.
Check the ingredients and if there is vegetable oil in the chips, they will most likely need to add the butter or shortening to achieve the desired results.
Substitutes for White Chocolate
There are a few substitutions for white chocolate if you don’t have any on hand. See the list down below. Please keep in mind that these may alter the flavor and color of the chocolate. Substitute the exact same amount of whichever type of chocolate you desire.
Milk chocolate is a sweet chocolate that you can either or use in recipes, especially cookie recipes or just to snack on. It contains about 10% cocoa with added sugar, milk and cocoa butter.
White Chocolate Almond Bark (Confectionery Coating) comes in a bunch of forms from chips to blocks to squares. Despite its name, it doesn’t contain nuts and is valued for its texture, taste, and melting ease. Although, you’re most likely going to have to add 1 – 2 tablespoons butter or shortening as well since it doesn’t contain any cocoa butter or chocolate liquor.
Unsweetened chocolate Made solely of cocoa butter and cocoa solids, the taste of this chocolate is bitter and unsuitable for eating directly, so it’s only used in baking. It’s great in cake, cookie or brownie recipes.
Dark chocolate Since it’s sweeter than unsweetened chocolate and has less sugar, It’s quite popular with those that want a sweet treat but are health conscious because it has less sugar than other chocolates. It has 35% cocoa.
Bittersweet chocolate is a sweetened dark chocolate that also contains at least 35% cocoa. It is mostly used in baking and is great for recipes that call for a strong chocolate flavor.
Semi-sweet chocolate This chocolate is also made with at least 35% cocoa and is the most versatile form of chocolate. It’s ideal for baking and eating and can be found in many chocolate chip cookie recipes. It also has cocoa butter and sugar added.
Ingredients in Easy Gingerbread Fudge
- white chocolate chips
- sweetened condensed milk
- spice cake mix
- ginger
- vanilla extract
- molasses
Icing
- icing or powdered sugar
- milk
- sprinkles or sparkles of your choice
How to make the Best Fudge with Condensed Milk
Line a square baking dish with parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray. Put aside.
In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate chips, cake mix, ginger, molasses and vanilla.
Heat contents until they are melted and smooth. Stir frequently.
Pour melted fudge into pan and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Make icing by whisking powdered sugar together with milk until combined ( *hint* add a small amount of powdered sugar at a time so it doesn’t go everywhere).
Remove cooled and hardened fudge from fridge.
Pour icing into a piping bag or resealable plastic bag, twisted, with the corner cut off and drizzle all over the fudge in a zigzag motion.
Top with sprinkles or sparkles.
Let the icing set to harden, then cut the fudge into small squares and serve.
How do you store fudge with condensed milk?
Fudge made with condensed milk will last up to 2 weeks at room temperature, in an air tight container.
If you keep your fudge in an airtight container in your fridge it will last up to a month.
You also have the option of freezing portion sizes of your choosing, wrapped in parchment paper, and frozen in an air tight container for up to 3 months.
How to make raw flour safe to eat
I have been doing it for a long time and have never gotten sick. My grandparents who lived on a farm served us cookie dough with raw flour and farm fresh eggs and never got sick. I might just be lucky.
That being said I want to give you some information on the risk you take consuming raw flour and what you can easily do to avoid getting sick.
To toast the flour or cake mix in the oven, spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes. With the microwave you just heat for 1 minute and 15 seconds on high, stirring every 15 seconds, and you’re good to go!
I microwaved the cake mix and flour in a microwave safe bowl in 15 second intervals five times, stirring in between intervals, and it worked beautifully.
Regardless of your chosen method, the flour must reach a temperature 0f 165 degrees to be deemed safe to eat and it is just that simple to ensure it’s safety. I have never done this myself but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to!
If you would like further information on E. coli linked to raw flour take a look here.
For more info on baking the bacteria away look here.
For more information on microwaving away the bacteria look here.
It is generally recommended that you DO NOT ingest or even just taste anything that contains raw flour. Make sure it has been cooked before eating it. This includes flour being used as a thickening agent.
For more information about the FDA recommendations, check this link out.
Holiday Desserts to Try
Easy Stuffed Gingerbread Cookies
Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Bites
Grandma’s Chocolate Eggnog Pudding Cake
Grandma’s Chocolate Orange Cake
Holiday Chocolate Dream Stuffed Cookie Cups
Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies
Stovetop Raisin Almond Rice Pudding
Easy Gingerbread Fudge Video
Easy Gingerbread Fudge
Equipment
- saucepan
- 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch cake pan
Ingredients
- 2 bags white chocolate chips (2 ½ cups total)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ¼ cup spice cake mix
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup molasses
Icing
- 1 cup icing or powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- sprinkles or sparkles of your choice
Instructions
- Line a square 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch baking dish with parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray and set aside
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, cake mix, ginger, vanilla, and molasses.
- Heat contents until melted and smooth. Make sure you stir frequently.
- Pour fudge into prepared pan, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to 3 hours.
- While waiting for the fudge to harden, make your icing by whisking the powdered sugar and milk together until smooth.
- Pour icing into a piping or resealable bag and drizzle in a zigzag pattern over your fudge.
- Top with sprinkles, sparkles or any festive topping.
- Let the icing harden then cut the fudge into small squares, serve and enjoy!
- This fudge will last in an airtight container for about 10 days. It can be kept in the fridge, which I usually do, but you don't have to.
Notes
How long will condensed milk fudge last?
Fudge made with condensed milk will last up to 2 weeks at room temperature, in an air tight container. If you keep your fudge in an airtight container in your fridge it will last up to a month. You also have the option of freezing portion sizes of your choosing, wrapped in parchment paper, and frozen in an air tight container for up to 3 months.
What is spice cake mix?
Depending where you live it can be found with boxes of cake mix at your local grocery store or market. There are many brands but Betty Crocker makes one. It is also known as spiced ginger cake mix in parts of Europe. Does that help? Where about are you located if I may ask? Maybe search on Amazon. They seem to be everywhere! All the best. Karin