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For a girl who doesn’t typically favor chocolate over fruity/pumpkiny/caramel-y/peanut buttery desserts, I sure do pack my blog FULL of chocolate decadence.
I must be kidding myself.
While I may not prefer the plain solid chocolates in the chocolate box, I definitely get a little weak at the knees biting into a Reese’s peanut butter cup, a York Peppermint Patty, or a Snickers.
I just like chocolate with stuff! Peanut butter, nuts, caramel, pretzels, mint, bananas… wine…
With the upcoming holidays (I know, I think WAY ahead), I’ve been trying to brainstorm easy chocolate/candy recipes to make for my friends, family and coworkers come December.
Nothing boring or plain like regular fudge, but still something easy and quick enough to whip up in the chaos that is my life.
Since I clearly overload the people in my life with peanut butter and chocolate, I feel a little minty chocolate action is much needed. Mint is chocolate’s second soulmate afterall.
I got to experimenting in the kitchen yesterday morning and THIS is what happened.
A giant thick Andes Chocolate Mint Bar in the form of fudge. O.M.G.
Start with an easy, no-frills-two-ingredient fudge base. No candy thermometer needed! Simply melt chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk together. Pour into a pan. Simple, thoughtless, and quick. The base firms up quite well, but still melts in your mouth. It’s heaven.
Sandwiched in the middle is a layer combining melted white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, and a drop of green food dye. Gotta look like the real thing, right?!
Top it all off with a coating of pure melted chocolate. The top layer hardens up and is an unbeatable texture contrast to the softer fudge layers underneath.
I sprinkled the fudge with mini chocolate chips and Andes baking chips because I-can-never-just-stop.
I’m completely obsessed with making desserts look adorable.
The middle layer is my favorite part. Creamy, thick, soft, and perfectly minty.
Using peppermint extract to flavor it, you have complete control over how minty you’d like the middle layer. I wanted it minty enough to cut the sweetness in the other layers, but did not want the mint to overpower the chocolate. I stuck with 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract.
One teaspoon may sound like a lot considering how potent peppermint extract can be, but when mixed into dense white chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, the mint flavor is easily subsided. One teaspoon lended the perfect amount of mint flavor – not intense and not too faint.
Taste it and go by your preference though. 
The entire fudge square tastes and looks like a giant thick Andes Chocolate Mint Bar.
A simple medley of soft chocolate fudge, creamy smooth mint, hardened chocolate shell, and pretty little chunks on top.
The recipe comes together fairly quickly, but the hardest part is waiting the two hours for the fudge to chill and set up. It’s torture, but SO worth the wait.
Now THIS is how chocolate should be eaten!
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makes 42-48 small squares
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk, divided (I used fat free)
- 1.5 cups white chocolate baking chips
- 1 teaspoons peppermint extract (or more, go by your taste preference)
- 2 drops green food coloring
- 1 teaspoon shortening
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips and/or Andes Creme De Menth Baking Chips
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. Spray paper with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1.5 cups chocolate chips with 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk, stirring occasionally. Spread melted chocolate mixture into pan and chill for 5-10 minutes.
- In another saucepan, melt white baking chips and remaining condensed milk, stirring until completely smooth. Remove from the heat and add peppermint extract and food coloring. Spread mint layer over chilled chocolate layer. Chill for 5-10 minutes as you make the final layer.
- Melt remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips with 1 tsp shortening in the microwave in 30 second increments. Stir until completely smooth. Spread over chilled mint layer. Top with mini chocolate chips and/or Andes baking chips. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until fudge is completely set (could take up to 4 hours).
- Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to two weeks. Fudge will freeze and thaw well.
Notes
adapted from Taste of Home Baking cookbook
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Mint is scarily close to peanut butter when it comes to my chocolate pairing preferences. I LOVE mint chocolate chip ice cream and Girl Scout Thin Mints. :)
What are your favorite mint & chocolate eats?
Skinny Frozen Mint Chocolate Chip Pie
Soft Andes Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies
York Peppermint Patty Fudge Cookies
{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
whoa, these look incredible girl!! one of my friends is obsessed with andes mints- these would be perfect for her. i love the green.
so festive!!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup
I have a Taste of Home cookbook, Best Recipes. It’s like our CI cookbook in terms of size. Like 1100 pages and this dessert is in that. It’s sort of a Best Of book. And I’ve seen this and wanted to make it! One of the first ‘complicated’ desserts I ever made for my blog was vegan, GF, creme de menthe bars. But Sally…these that you made…AMAZING. I love Andes mints and they are a childhood memory I cherish!
And great job with the layers/photography!! It’s not easy keeping it all straight and perfectly even..don’t I know
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..LeCreuset Enamaled Cast Iron Skillet Giveaway
The taste of home cookbook is GIGANTIC! Andes mints are my favorite little chocolate/mint treats – I like them more than york peppermint patties! And yes, it was a real… annoyance… to keep it all looking so clean while cutting! A true blogger eye you have
OHMYGOODNESS Sally! These are beautiful. I’m in the midst of planning a mini Halloween bash (pumpkin features heavily), but I practically want to scrap the whole gig and turn it into a Christmas party so I can feature this chocolate-mint paradise. Maybe I should just dye them orange instead, lol. Mint chocolate chip ice cream was always my fave as kid–this makes me think of it all grown up!
Erin | The Law Student’s Wife recently posted..How to Caramelize Onions
dying it orange – brilliant! I should dye the minty layer pink for my birthday lol. This is an anytime fudge. Thanks Erin!!
Sally these look SO so good. I didn’t even know they made Andes baking chips! How perfect!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs recently posted..Stuffed Acorn Squash
Thank you Whitney! Yes the Andes Mint Chips are heavensent. You must try them!
I bet my favorite mint chocolate chips would be awesome for this recipe. I love that your fudge has layers. Delish!
luv what you do recently posted..Fruity Pebble Treats
Mmmmmm, chocolate and mint is my second favorite combo too! And I love fudge. And Andies. And you, haha! This look awesome, girl!
Back For Seconds recently posted..Nutella Oreo Cheesecake Deep Dish Cookie Pie and BIG NEWS!
mint & chocolate will never be peanut butter & chocolate but this fudge is starting to prove otherwise lol
I knew it would be something scary awesome! Looks insane!
Loretta E recently posted..Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Stuffed with Andes Mints
thanks Loretta, I’m glad it lives up to your expectations
Minty chocolate action is the complete opposite of boring! It’s absolutely spectacular, and I’m sure this would be such a hit with my friends and family!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Quinoa Veggie "Fried Rice" and a Giveaway!
I hate boring, plain fudge and these layers are definitely something different. My friends LOVED it! Thanks Chung-Ah
What a fab idea for fudge! I’ve always loved Andes Mints.
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Sunday Roundup 10/21/12
So cute! It’s amazing how much it looks like a super sized Andes mint.
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Writing and Learning
OH. EM. GEE. I’m pretty much speechless. Andes Mints are one of those dang candies I can’t resist. I just love mint and chocolate together (and for me, a little more than choc+pb… I know!) This fudge looks insane. The bottom layer alone looks so melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and then you threw a delicious green peppermint layer on that and I was sold. Plus, you can’t go wrong going the extra mile with some chocolate chips + Andes mint bars on top. You rule.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Peanut Butter Apple Crumb Muffins
YOU rule! I can’t resist Andes Mints either Hayley. I’ve eaten almost an entire row of this fudge in the past two days. SO DANG GOOD!
I love you.
Those look wuuunnnndddeerrrrfulll!!! Great Holiday gift idea…to mix it up, do you think that using the peppermint xtract with red and then using smashed candycanes would work also? You come up with the most amazing things….yummy!
) Can you freeze them?
You mentioned they keep 2 weeks in closed container in fridge..(if they’re not munched away sooner
Hi Sally! You are a genius! I think I may try that peppermint fudge idea. So yes, dying the middle layer red and sprinkling iwht candy canes is a brilliant idea and would definitely work. Yes, the fudge will freeze & thaw well!
I am totally opposite, I could eat chocolate by itself all the time. And this recipe make me leaking
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today recently posted..Scrambled eggs with sprats on a bread
so can the rest of the world! I’m the oddball and like chocolate WITH stuff
Who are you kidding, Sal? You love chocolate over fruity/pumpkiny/caramel-y/peanut buttery desserts… Because it’s chocolate. And it’s you.
Katie @ Oh Shine On recently posted..Sweet Nothings
You totally caught me Katie!!!!
I was the same, I favoured chocolate over fruits but now they’re equally delicious and I love mixing one with the other!
I tend to balance out chocolate with cake and candy! LOL
But on the other hand I LOVEEE chocolate and mint flavours (I hate mint candies though, yeh I’m weird!) I love that these are dark/plain chocolate too- my fave to bake with. We don’t get the Andes mint things here but we get “after eight” chocolate candies which are mint cremes covered in dark chocolate. I think you get them there, Wikipedia says they sell them in N.America? But had given me a little blogspiration!
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted..Gothic Rose Vampire Cupcakes
I swear, your stuff is food porn. Love this fudge!! You need to do a photography post. Your stuff is beautiful!!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Whatever Friday
Dorothy – THANK YOU! I am still learning everyday as far as photography goes! It’s the toughest part. That means a lot
Genius! I adore andes mints! Everything you make looks totally mouthwatering!
Jaclyn recently posted..Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra (Must Try 15 Minute Meal!)
Thanks Jaclyn – from you, that means a lot!
WOW – these look SO. GOOD. These will definitely be featured on my goodie list for Christmas this year!
Cher @ Weddicted recently posted..Bouquet wrap inspiration
So glad to hear they make the Xmas baking cut, Cher!
Andes are one of my all-time favorite little treats–such good childhood memories for me. I still get excited when restaurants give me one after dinner…is that weird? Chocolate and mint is my fave combo, and this fudge? Sally, you are seriously amazing. I don’t know how you do it. Everything you make is gorgeous. I totally agree with Dorothy–do a photography post!!!! Please?
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Spiced Pumpkin Seeds and Friday Wrap-Up
I’m blushing! You are so sweet, Ashley! I plan to do a photography post at some point, but I have a few tricks I’m still trying to master. THANK YOU for the kind words though. Always makes my day b/c the photos are the hardest part for me!
There are few things I love as much as mint and chocolate, but I love love how you captured that perfect Andes mint green!
Jess recently posted..The Little Things: Weekend Fun
Thank you Jess! Just a simple two drops of green food dye for that perfect light mint green color – no more, no less!
Too funny, I have Taste of Home (everything)…(little known fact I am a field editor for them, you can see my name in the back of magazines)…I have been wanting to make this fudge forever!! And now, even more so, as I wipe the drool off my keyboard!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Struesel
that is the coolest thing, Aimee! I had no idea. I’m jealous – what a team to be apart of! This fudge? yes, a must make from ToH!
Wow…Sally – this sounds so delicious, but so simple. I love it (and I know my husband would love it too because he loves anything mint!) I really love your blog and always get such inspiration from your recipes
Megan you’re SO sweet, thank you! I love how easy this fudge is too – literally only a handful of ingredients.
I make alot of baked goodies & friends love my fudge so much! They posted your recipe on my Facebook page so I’m gonna give it a try! Looks so yummy!
That’s so wonderful Carly! I love this fudge and since you’re the fudge ueen – you must try it. Let me know how it turns out
Thanks. Sally, I will let you know how it turns out. I have a few bake sales coming up too so will add to my goodies
corrected my name lol
These are insane! I use the same fudge base as you and think it makes the absolute best fudge !
Candy @ Candy Girl recently posted..Braised Pork Ragu with Pappardelle
Yes! It really does make fantastic chocolate fudge! So simple.
Taste of home cookbooks are my favorite and the seasonal magazines! OMG I could spend hours just thumbing them.
These bars look amazing, just linked to them in my 100 chocolate recipes round-up
Roxana | Roxana’s Home Baking recently posted..100 Chocolate recipes
Love Taste of Home! MY most treasured cookbook. Thank you for the link Roxanna, 100 chocolate recipes.. oh my. Sounds like HEAVEN. checking it out now
Hi! This looks absolutely delicious but I don’t have any shortening on hand and would prefer not to buy it just for 1 tsp. Is there something I can substitute?
hi Megan!! instead of the shortening + 1 cup of chocolate chips for the top layer, melt 8 oz of melting chocolate like Baker’s: http://www.kraftbrands.com/bakerschocolate/bakersbrands.aspx
This looks wonderful and I’m planning on trying it out! But I could only find white chips that are vanilla flavored…? Will it still taste ok?
vanilla flavored white chips would work just fine Jaci! ENJOY!
oh my word!!! Gonna have to try this
ty
Paul Steele recently posted..The Little Things That Bring Joy by Julie Arnold
Hi Sally! First I want to say how much I’ve been enjoying your site! I first found the cranberry white chocolate chip cookies and they are hands down the best cookies I have ever made. I was beyond excited to find a chocolate chip recipe that I will be using as my “go to” for choc chip cookies!! Anyway….I just made the Andes mint chip fundge and OMG are they Amazing!!! My husband curses me for making something so good that he cannot resist eating it.
However, the mint layer was gooey even after being in the fridge for about 6 hours. The bottom fudge layter was perfect and the top was nice and hard, but the mint layer was oozing out. Any ideas what I may have done wrong? I’m a novice when it comes to making fudge so I wasn’t sure if I may have put too much condensed milk or too many white chocolate chips…. What do you think?
Hi Kimberly! The mint layer is supposed to be soft – but not necessarily “gooey” and melting out. Did you chill the mint layer on top of the bottom layer before adding in the top layer as indicated in the recipe? Did you chill the whole fudge in the refrigerator for a good amount of time? I don’t think you necessarily did anything wrong otherwise. I would try to add a few more white chocolate chips the next time you make it to stablize the mint layer. I’m glad you liked it otherwise! And SO glad you enjyoed my white chocoalte chip cranberry cookies – those are my favorite cookies on teh site.
I thought they were brownies, they are fudge! Oh I want them even more.
Sally – only gluten free baking recently posted..Hazelnut & Maple Christmas Cookies & Chocolate Cookies – Gluten Free
I’m so excited, I’m so excited, I’m so excited, I’m so excited! I’m going to make these this luscious fudge this weekend.
I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!
yeah girl!! let me know how it turns out.
I made them Sally, and they turned out perfectly! I kept them in the fridge for 30 minutes between layers and stored them in the fridge too. I didn’t have any mushiness when I cut them, but I wondered if switching the bottom and top layers might cut down on that, since other folks have had that happen –what do you think?
It turns out that for some reason, these don’t agree with my husband’s tummy, so I get to finish them.
Do you think I am choosing things to make that he doesn’t like or has trouble with, on purpose so I can eat it all? Hmmmmmm, would I do that?
Well . . . . . maybe
Hey Val! I’ll have to try switching the layers sometime. Don’t worry I make things Kevin doesn’t like… like cheesecake.
he hates it!! cheesecake brownies are all mine…. happy holidays Val!
I am not too computer savy—-I can’t figure out how to print all the recipes. If anyone can help I would appreciate it very much!!!!!!!!!
Hi Lynette. There is a “print this” button on the right above the box in which I write the recipe.
Hi Sally! I LOVE this recipe. I’ve made it several times for several groups of people, and each time it gets devoured!
Just wanted to share a handy little trick I discovered this last time I made it while out of town. I didn’t have shortening and also ran short on chocolate chips for the top layer. I ended up using the remaining chocolate chips (approx 3/4 cup), topping it off with left over white chocolate chips (approx 1/4 cup). Melted that together and spread it over the top. It turned out perfectly!
using both chocolate and white chocolate for the top is just genius! Wow! thank you so much for sharing your little trick. I have to try it next time. I’m so glad you love this fudge as much as we do. I made it a lot over the holidays!
Yum oh yum!
Maria recently posted..Chocolate Mint Brownie Milkshake
Well, Facebook brought me here with a picture of those yummy looking mint cheesecake brownies and now I am just following the links to the stuff I like. I am a one woman bake sale for a local Relay for Life team and I have to say…I think my repertoire is about to expand. My Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats (chocolate topped) are a favorite but I think this fudge will be just as popular. Not to mention anything else I might find. This is like heaven for me. Now to make it and taste test it on the husband and children……
Thanks Jennifer! And yes, this would be popular. Hope you make it!
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