Looking for a sweet treat that’s cookie-inspired (but doesn’t require an oven) this Christmas? Then you’ll love my easy sugar cookie fudge! This no bake recipe has just 6 ingredients and only requires a microwave to make. It’s a fun and festive sweet treat sure to please this holiday season.
What is Sugar Cookie Fudge?
Sugar cookie fudge is a perfect sweet treat inspired by the flavors of sugar cookies. It combines the richness of traditional fudge with a buttery, vanilla-forward profile reminiscent of freshly baked Christmas cookies!
White chocolate serves as the base, with sugar cookie mix and vanilla added in for flavor. Top your fudge with fun holiday sprinkles to make it look just like the baked treat!
Best of all, you only need a microwave to make this decadent Christmas fudge recipe! Just heat, melt, mix, pour, and let it set in the fridge and you have an easy and delicious holiday dessert. It’s also convenient to make in advance, perfect for easy entertaining!
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Sugar Cookie Fudge Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups white chocolate chips
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 Tbsp salted butter (or unsalted and add a pinch of salt)
- 1 ¼ cups sugar cookie mix (heat treated – see notes below)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp Christmas sprinkles (or as desired)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can technically use any flavor chocolate you like, but white chocolate is going to give you the most sugar cookie-like appearance
- The vanilla extract can be swapped for another flavor, like almond, butter, or peppermint to change the flavor profiles. It can also be omitted if preferred, but I like the added flavor it brings
- If you want to avoid sugar cookie mix, you can get a dough that’s marked safe for raw consumption and add chunks of it into your fudge as an alternative option
- Any Christmas sprinkles are fine! I like holiday nonpareils because I think they look most like a cookie topping, but choose your favorites
How to Heat Treat Your Sugar Cookie Mix
For food safety, it is not recommended to consume raw flour products, which is what you’ll find in commercially packaged sugar cookie mixes.
The best way to avoid potential issues is to heat treat the mix to kill bacteria before adding it into your fudge, and this can be done a few ways:
- Spread the mix on a baking sheet and bake it in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until it reaches 165°F
- Add the mix to a microwave safe bowl and cook, stirring every 30 seconds, until it reaches 165°F (usually about 2 minutes, but it can vary by bowl size and microwave wattage)
You can do this process up to a week in advance, and store the mix in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Fudge in the Microwave
- Line a 8×8 or 9×9 square, or 9” cake pan with parchment paper or some nonstick spray. I prefer the cake pan for this recipe, since it more closely emulates the cookie look
- Add the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter to a microwave safe bowl
- Cook on high in your microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until everything is fully melted and the temperature reaches 235°F (usually 5-6 minutes for me in a 1000W microwave). I cook to this temperature because I’ve had trouble with my fudge not setting lower than this, but you can try just melting it if you’d like!
- Stir in the sugar cookie mix and vanilla, stirring until well combined, then fold in about 1 Tbsp sprinkles. If you want smoother fudge, you’ll want to sift the mix to prevent clumps, but leaving them in doesn’t hurt overall
- Pour into your greased baking dish, then smooth out the top before adding the remaining 1 Tbsp holiday sprinkles to the top of the fudge (or more if you’d like)
- Cool at room temperature for about 4 hours, or transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 2-3 hours, until fudge is set
- Slice into squares using a sharp knife (I usually do 1-inch or 2-inch squares) and enjoy!
- Peppermint Patty Fudge
Recipe FAQs
Does It Matter Which Type Of Sprinkles I Use In This Easy Holiday Fudge Recipe?
Yes, the type of sprinkles can matter. Nonpareils (tiny round sprinkles) may bleed color into the fudge, especially if mixed into the batter, whereas jimmies (long, cylindrical sprinkles) are less likely to bleed and maintain their shape.
To avoid color bleeding, gently press sprinkles onto the surface of the fudge after it’s set slightly.
Can I Make This Fudge Without Sprinkles?
Absolutely! The sprinkles are optional and primarily for decoration. The fudge will still taste delicious and have the same creamy texture without them.
For a simpler look, you can leave it plain or top it with crushed cookies, chocolate drizzle, crushed candy canes, or dust with edible glitter.
How To Fix Fudge That Doesn’t Set?
If your fudge doesn’t set, you can attempt to remelt it. Place it back in a microwave safe bowl, add a small amount of sweetened condensed milk or chocolate, and reheat, stirring every minute or so, until it reaches at least 235°F.
Once fully combined, pour it back into a prepared pan and refrigerate until firm. Note that this will cause any decorative elements on top to get mixed in.
What Would Cause Fudge Not To Harden?
Fudge may not harden due to incorrect ingredient proportions, insufficient cooking time (not getting hot enough), or too much moisture.
Using sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk and ensuring proper cooling time in the fridge can help. If you suspect your measurements were off, remelting and adjusting can often fix it.
Are These Suitable To Bring To Cookie Exchanges?
Yes! Sugar cookie fudge is a delightful addition to any cookie exchange. It’s unique, festive, and pairs beautifully with traditional cookies.
Be sure to cut it into small, uniform squares for easy sharing.
Can I Make This Sweet Treat For Other Holidays?
Definitely! Sugar cookie fudge is highly adaptable for various holidays.
Change the sprinkles or add food coloring to match the theme, such as pastels for Easter, red and pink for Valentine’s Day, green and gold for St. Patrick’s Day, or rainbow sprinkles for birthday fudge.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Sugar Cookie Fudge
- The secret to making good fudge lies in controlling temperature and timing. Using a candy thermometer to reach the correct temperature (typically 234–240°F, also known as the soft-ball stage) ensures proper consistency. While microwave fudge is more forgiving, it’s still a good overall practice to follow
- To achieve the smoothest finish, pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan and gently tap it on the countertop to remove air bubbles. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper while it cools to help create a polished surface, if desired. Avoid disturbing the fudge as it sets to maintain its smoothness!
Storage and Serving Suggestions
- Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature (in a cool, dark place) for up to 2 weeks. For longer term storage, you can refrigerate for up to 3 weeks, or freeze your fudge for up to 3 months. Just make sure to remove from the freezer and thaw overnight in the fridge before consuming
- Serve your fudge on a festive holiday plate, tiered stand, or alongside cookies on a Christmas cookie tray. Feel free to add bite-size pieces into individual paper liners to make them easier to eat. You can also wrap in cello bags for gifts!
- Sugar Cookie Truffles
Final Thoughts
This easy sugar cookie fudge recipe is the perfect no bake treat for Christmas and the holiday season! It’s just like the classic cookie, only with no oven required, and less hands on time to prepare it.
With just 6 simple ingredients plus a microwave, this Christmas cookie fudge recipe is convenient to make, and bursting with crowd pleasing sugar cookie flavor. I also love to make it a couple days in advance to take off some of that stress around holiday entertaining!
Fudge is a great addition to your holiday cookie platter since it’s still sweet, but a nice texture alternative. It also keeps well, making it a great edible gift too!
Sugar Cookie Fudge (Easy Microwave Recipe)
Equipment
- 9" cake pan (or an 8×8 or 9×9 square baking pan)
- Spatula (or spoon)
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups white chocolate chips
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 Tbsp salted butter (or unsalted with a pinch of added salt)
- 1 ¼ cups sugar cookie mix, heat treated (see notes for heat treatment options)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp holiday sprinkles, divided (or to taste)
Instructions
- Line a 8×8 or 9×9 square, or 9” cake pan with parchment paper or some nonstick spray. I prefer the cake pan for this recipe, since it more closely emulates the cookie look
- Add the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter to a microwave safe bowl2 ½ cups white chocolate chips, 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 2 Tbsp salted butter
- Cook on high in your microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until everything is fully melted and the temperature reaches 235°F (usually 5-6 minutes for me in a 1000W microwave). I cook to this temperature because I’ve had trouble with my fudge not setting lower than this, but you can try just melting it if you’d like!
- Stir in the sugar cookie mix and vanilla, stirring until well combined, then fold in about 1 Tbsp sprinkles1 ¼ cups sugar cookie mix, heat treated, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 Tbsp holiday sprinkles, divided
- Pour into your greased baking dish, then smooth out the top before adding the remaining 1 Tbsp holiday sprinkles to the top of the fudge (or more if you’d like)
- Cool at room temperature for about 4 hours, or transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 2-3 hours, until fudge is set
- Slice into squares using a sharp knife (I usually do 1-inch or 2-inch squares) and enjoy!
Notes
- You can technically use any flavor chocolate you like, but white chocolate is going to give you the most sugar cookie-like appearance
- The vanilla extract can be swapped for another flavor, like almond, butter, or peppermint to change the flavor profiles. It can also be omitted if preferred, but I like the added flavor it brings
- If you want to avoid sugar cookie mix, you can get a dough that’s marked safe for raw consumption and add chunks of it into your fudge as an alternative option
- Any Christmas sprinkles are fine! I like nonpareils because I think they look most like a cookie topping, but choose your favorites
- To heat treat your cookie dough mix, bake at 350°F for 5 minutes, or microwave on high, stirring every 30 seconds, for about 2 minutes, until the mix reaches 165°F
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any toppings or mix-ins added, size of squares, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
