Nothing says Christmas like edible crafts that double as delicious gifts! My Christmas Tree Fudge became our family’s favorite holiday tradition after my niece begged to make “something we can eat AND decorate.” This no-bake wonder transforms simple ingredients into festive trees that look almost too cute to eat (almost!). I still remember our first batch – flour dusted everywhere, green food coloring stains on the counter, and the proudest 7-year-old presenting her sparkly edible forest to Grandma.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Fudge
This recipe has been my holiday lifesaver for years, and here’s why it’ll become yours too:
- No oven required – Just a saucepan and fridge space means you can make these while prepping other holiday treats
- Kid-friendly fun – Little hands love pressing on the sprinkles (though expect some “taste testing”)
- Instant holiday cheer – Those green trees with golden stars make any dessert table magical
- Gift-ready perfection – Stack them in clear bags with ribbon for the sweetest homemade present
Trust me, once you see how easy it is to turn chocolate into Christmas magic, you’ll be making these every December!
Christmas Tree Fudge Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your edible holiday forest:
- 3 cups white chocolate chips (not melted – we’ll do that later!)
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk – that sticky-sweet magic in a can
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – the flavor booster
- Green gel food coloring (not liquid – I’ll explain why below)
- Holiday sprinkles, edible gold pearls, sugar stars – your tree decorations
- Edible gold star toppers (or regular candy stars work too)
- Silicone Christmas tree molds – must be tree-shaped for that festive look!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
After making dozens of batches (some more successful than others!), I’ve learned a few ingredient secrets:
White chocolate quality matters! Cheap chips can make grainy fudge – I splurge on brands like Ghirardelli when I can. If you’re in a pinch, almond bark works, but the texture won’t be quite as creamy.
For decorations, raid your baking stash! Those leftover red hots from Halloween? Perfect tree ornaments. Crushed candy canes make great “garland.” No edible pearls? Tiny silver dragees or even mini chocolate chips work beautifully.
Now about that food coloring – gel is crucial because liquid coloring can make the fudge seize up. I learned this the hard way when my first batch turned into green cement! Gel gives vibrant color without watering down your mixture.
Forgot to buy tree molds? You can pour the mixture into a lined pan and cut triangles, but honestly – the silicone molds are worth hunting down. They make the trees pop out perfectly every time!
How to Make Christmas Tree Fudge
Okay, let’s turn those ingredients into edible Christmas magic! I’ve made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep, but here are all my best tips to ensure your fudge trees turn out perfect on the first try.
The Melting Process
First things first – grab your favorite heavy-bottomed saucepan (trust me, it helps prevent scorching). Combine the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk over low heat. I can’t stress “low” enough – white chocolate is delicate! Stir continuously with a silicone spatula until everything melts together into a smooth, velvety pool. This usually takes about 5 minutes, but don’t rush it. That constant stirring is what prevents the chocolate from seizing up on you.
When the mixture is completely smooth, remove it from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Now for the fun part – the coloring! Add green gel food coloring a little at a time until you reach that perfect Christmas tree green. I usually do about 10 drops, but go slowly – you can always add more but you can’t take it out!
Molding Your Trees
Have your silicone tree molds ready on a baking sheet (this makes transferring to the fridge easier). Spoon the fudge mixture into each cavity, filling them right to the top. Here’s my secret trick: give the whole tray a gentle tap-tap-tap on the counter to release any sneaky air bubbles. This ensures your trees come out smooth, not pockmarked!
Now pop those beauties into the fridge for a full 2 hours. I know it’s tempting to peek, but resist! The fudge needs this time to properly set so your trees hold their shape when unmolding. Set a timer if you have to – I’ve learned from experience that one impatient batch turned into a sticky, tree-shaped disaster.
Decorating Your Christmas Tree Fudge
Here’s where the real magic happens! As soon as you spoon the fudge into the molds (while it’s still soft), start decorating. Think of yourself as a festive fudge artist!
- Sprinkles first: Use the tip of a toothpick to carefully place individual sprinkles as “ornaments.” The soft fudge will hold them perfectly.
- Pearl placement: For edible pearls, gently press them in with clean fingers – they’ll stay put better than if you try adding them later.
- Star power: Press your edible gold star firmly into the very top of each tree while the fudge is still soft. Trying to attach it after the fudge sets? Disaster waiting to happen!
A word of caution – once that fudge starts setting, decorations won’t stick properly. I learned this the year I got distracted by Christmas carols and came back to smooth green trees with sprinkles just rolling right off. Decorating while the fudge is still soft is non-negotiable for picture-perfect trees!
Christmas Tree Fudge Storage Tips
Now that you’ve created these adorable edible trees, let’s talk about keeping them fresh and festive! Over the years, I’ve tried every storage method imaginable – here’s what actually works:
Airtight is everything. These little trees dry out faster than you’d think! I always use a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or a resealable bag with all the air pressed out. Glass works too, but plastic won’t shatter if someone gets overzealous reaching for seconds.
Parchment paper layers are your best friend if stacking trees. That one time I skipped it? Let’s just say I had to redecorate half my batch where sprinkles got stuck to other trees’ “branches.” Now I cut small squares of parchment to separate each layer – no more ornament theft between trees!
Fridge life: These keep beautifully for up to a week in the refrigerator. After that, the texture starts changing and the colors might bleed a bit. I usually make mine 2-3 days before gifting or serving for peak freshness.
Freezer warning: I know it’s tempting to make these ahead and freeze, but don’t do it! The condensation when thawing makes the decorations run and the texture turns weirdly crumbly. Learned this the hard way when my “Christmas in July” surprise turned into a melty green mess.
Pro tip: If you’re packaging these as gifts, wait until right before handing them over to add the final gold star topper. Those delicate stars can get knocked around in transport – ask me how I know!
Christmas Tree Fudge Variations
One of the best things about this recipe? How easily you can mix it up to create new holiday favorites! After making the classic version for years, I started playing around with flavors and decorations – here are my favorite twists that still keep that festive charm.
Peppermint Holiday Magic
For a cool wintery twist, swap out the vanilla extract for 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract. The minty freshness pairs perfectly with the sweet white chocolate. I like to crush candy canes and press the pieces into the fudge as “ornaments” – the red and white stripes look so festive against the green trees! Just be careful not to add too much extract – peppermint can overpower quickly.
Chocolate Drizzle Elegance
Sometimes I melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with a teaspoon of coconut oil and drizzle it over the chilled trees with a fork. This creates beautiful “snowy branches” effect! For extra flair, alternate white and dark chocolate drizzles. Pro tip: Let the drizzle set for 10 minutes before adding the star topper so it doesn’t slide off.
Mold Adventures
While I adore the classic tree shape, these molds work great too:
- Snowflakes: Use blue food coloring and silver sprinkles for a winter wonderland
- Stars: Perfect for Hanukkah gifts with blue and white decorations
- Gingerbread men: Brown food coloring and mini M&M “buttons”
Last Christmas, I even found tiny stocking molds and made a whole North Pole village! The basic fudge recipe adapts to any shape – just adjust the chilling time (thicker molds may need an extra hour).
Remember, the only limit is your imagination (and how many sprinkles you can fit in your pantry)!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I know some folks like to keep track of these things – especially during the holiday season when treats seem to multiply like Christmas elves! Here’s the scoop on what’s in each of these festive fudge trees (but remember, these are just estimates – your actual results might vary depending on specific brands and decorations used).
- Serving Size: 1 tree
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Honestly, when I’m enjoying these at holiday parties, I try not to think too much about the numbers. They’re special occasion treats, after all! But if you’re sharing with friends who need to watch their sugar intake or have dietary restrictions, this info might come in handy. Just don’t tell anyone I told you how many sprinkles I sneak while decorating – that’s between us!
FAQs About Christmas Tree Fudge
After years of making these adorable treats, I’ve answered every question imaginable from friends, family, and even that one very curious mailman! Here are the most common ones I get – along with all my hard-earned fudge wisdom.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?
Oh honey, I’ve tried! While it technically works, the green coloring turns this weird muddy shade that looks more like a swamp than a Christmas tree. The sweetness also changes completely. If you must switch, go for light-colored chocolate like yellow candy melts – but white chocolate really is the MVP here.
Help! My fudge turned out grainy – how do I fix it?
Been there, done that, cried over the pan. Graininess usually means the chocolate got too hot or wasn’t stirred enough. Next time, keep the heat super low and stir like your life depends on it. For your current batch? Try pressing it through a fine mesh sieve while still warm – it’s messy but can save the texture!
What’s the best way to package these as gifts?
Clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon are my go-to! I stack 3-4 trees per bag with parchment between layers. For extra fancy points, use mini cookie boxes from the craft store and line them with holiday tissue paper. Always include a “best by” date tag – not that these ever last long enough to go bad!
Can little kids help decorate the fudge trees?
Absolutely – it’s one of my favorite holiday activities with my nieces! Just portion out their sprinkles in small bowls first (unless you want a rainbow explosion). Toothpicks work better than tiny fingers for precise placement. Warning: You will lose some sprinkles to “quality testing” – consider it part of the fun!
How long does this fudge need to set at room temperature?
In a perfect world? Overnight. But who has that kind of patience during the holidays? At least 4 hours in a cool room works, but the fridge is your friend here – those trees will hold their shape way better with proper chilling. If you’re in a real pinch, 2 hours in the freezer works (but don’t leave them there long-term!).
Christmas Tree Fudge in Just 4 Simple Steps – Magical Holiday Treat
Easy-to-make festive white chocolate fudge shaped like Christmas trees, perfect for holiday gifting and edible crafts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 trees 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- Holiday sprinkles, edible gold pearls, sugar stars
- Edible gold star toppers (or candy stars)
- Silicone Christmas tree molds
Instructions
- Melt white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over low heat until smooth. Stir continuously.
- Add vanilla extract and green gel food coloring until you achieve a rich green color.
- Spoon the fudge mixture into tree-shaped silicone molds and tap gently to remove air bubbles.
- Press sprinkles, edible pearls, and gold stars into the soft fudge to resemble tree ornaments.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm, then carefully unmold and top each tree with an edible star.
Notes
- Use high-quality white chocolate for the best texture.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Great for holiday parties or as edible gifts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tree
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg