Just pulled this white chocolate gumdrop fudge from the fridge, and it looks like a rainbow in my kitchen! Made it for the first time last Christmas when I wanted something different from regular chocolate fudge. The white chocolate makes those colorful gumdrops really pop - kind of like stained glass windows. My daughter says it reminds her of candy land, and honestly? She's not wrong.
Why This Works
Made this fudge yesterday for a bake sale - sold out in 20 minutes. People love how it looks different from regular fudge, and kids go crazy for those chewy gumdrop pieces. Takes about 15 minutes to throw together, then just pop it in the fridge. Used it for holiday gifts last year - packed pieces in little boxes with ribbon. The white chocolate base is perfect for showing off those colorful candies.
What You Need
- White chocolate: Get the good stuff from the baking aisle - store brand can be grainy
- Sweetened condensed milk: One can does it - don't get evaporated by mistake
- Vanilla: Just a splash makes the chocolate taste better
- Gumdrops: Red and green for Christmas, or mix colors for other times
Making Your Fudge
- Get your pan ready
- Line a square pan with foil - makes it easy to lift out later
- Melt the chocolate
- Mix chocolate and milk in a pot over low heat - keep stirring or it'll stick
- Mix in vanilla
- Stir in vanilla once chocolate's melted - smells amazing
- Add the gumdrops
- Mix in chopped gumdrops while it's still warm
- Into the pan
- Pour everything in and smooth the top with a spoon
- Cooling time
- Stick it in the fridge until it's firm - usually takes couple hours
What Makes It Special
The gumdrops sink into the warm fudge but still show their colors on top. Made a batch last night - cut into it this morning and each piece looks like a tiny jewel box. Kids love finding their favorite colored pieces, and the chewiness from the gumdrops makes it more fun than regular fudge.
Making It Perfect
Learned the hard way to keep the heat low - burned my first batch and the kitchen smelled like toast for days. Double-checking that pan is lined right saves so much hassle later. Made three batches for a party last week - the trick is having everything ready before you start melting the chocolate.
About Those Gumdrops
Cut the gumdrops while they're cold - way less sticky that way. Started keeping kitchen scissors just for candy after ruining a pair with melted gummy bears. Red and green ones look festive, but any colors work. Made a rainbow version for my niece's birthday - looked amazing on the dessert table.
Keeping It Fresh
These stay good in the fridge for about a week. Made too much last time and found out they freeze pretty well too. Just put wax paper between layers so they don't stick. They taste best at room temperature though, so pull them out about 30 minutes before serving.
Serving Ideas
Cut these smaller than regular fudge - they're pretty sweet. Made little gift boxes with tissue paper for teachers last year. They look cute on a holiday cookie plate mixed with other treats. Sometimes I sprinkle extra chopped gumdrops on top right before the fudge sets for extra color.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use different chocolate?
Yes - milk or dark chocolate work, but will change the look and taste.
- How do I store it?
In a container in the fridge. Lasts about a week.
- Can I use homemade gumdrops?
Yes, they work fine and let you add different flavors.
- What if my pan isn't square?
Any pan works - just cut pieces to the size you want.
- Can I skip the sweetened condensed milk?
No, you need it for the right fudge texture.
Some More Ideas
Try White Chocolate Raspberry Bark or Candy Cane Chocolate Truffles if you like this. Both use white chocolate and take about the same time. The bark adds tart raspberries, while the truffles mix in crushed peppermint. All make good holiday gifts.