Sugar Cookie Fudge: A Festive No-Bake Treat for Every Occasion

This creamy, handheld dessert sparkles with sprinkles and keeps fresh for gift giving.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 17, 2025

This creamy, handheld dessert sparkles with sprinkles and keeps fresh for gift giving.

If you crave the nostalgic sweetness of sugar cookies but want the ease and creaminess of fudge, this sugar cookie fudge recipe is the perfect blend. Made with everyday pantry staples like store-bought sugar cookie mix, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles, this cheerful dessert delivers classic cookie flavor in a creamy, sliceable form. Whether you’re filling festive gift boxes or looking for a quick no-bake Christmas treat, sugar cookie fudge is a showstopper—and with clever variations, it can be enjoyed all year round.

Why Sugar Cookie Fudge Is a Must-Try Recipe

No-Bake Simplicity: The recipe requires no oven time, making it efficient and beginner-friendly.
Customize for Any Holiday: Swap out sprinkle colors to match any celebration or season.
Great for Gifting: Fudge travels well and keeps for weeks, making it ideal for cookie boxes and holiday trays.
Kid-Friendly: Children love the colorful sprinkles, smooth texture, and hands-on helping opportunities.
Convenient Make-Ahead Dessert: Can be prepared in advance and stored for up to two weeks, or frozen for longer.

What Is Sugar Cookie Fudge?

Sugar cookie fudge is a hybrid confection that brings together the flavor and charm of classic sugar cookies with the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture of fudge. The trick is to combine a base of sugar cookie mix, sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate chips, and butter, then fold in real crushed cookies and a generous helping of colorful sprinkles. The result is a fun, pretty dessert with both a soft fudge-like bite and bursts of cookie crunch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sugar cookie mix – The dry mix forms the backbone of the doughy, sweet flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk – Adds creamy, fudgy texture and intense sweetness.
White chocolate chips – Melted for a rich, smooth finish.
Unsalted butter – Boosts richness and helps smooth the base.
Kosher salt – A pinch balances out the sweetness.
Crushed sugar or shortbread cookies – For extra cookie flavor and crispy texture.
Confetti sprinkles – Divided, for mixing in and decorating the top.
Vanilla extract – Adds depth and rounds out the cookie flavor.
Cooking spray and aluminum foil – To line and prepare the baking dish.

Step-by-Step Directions

Heat-Treat the Sugar Cookie Mix: In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave the sugar cookie mix in 30-second intervals until a thermometer registers 180°F throughout, typically 1-2 minutes. This step makes raw flour safe to eat. Stir well and break up any clumps, allowing it to cool fully.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Line a 9-inch square baking dish with foil and coat with cooking spray for easy removal.
Melt and Mix: In a medium saucepan, heat sweetened condensed milk over medium heat, stirring constantly to avoid scorching, until hot. Add white chocolate chips, stirring until fully melted and smooth (2–3 minutes). Remove from heat, add butter and salt, and stir until smooth.
Assemble the Fudge: Fold in the heat-treated sugar cookie mix, crushed cookies, half of the sprinkles, and vanilla extract. Stir until fully incorporated and evenly colored.
Set and Decorate: Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining sprinkles evenly over the surface.
Chill: Refrigerate until fully set and firm, at least 2 hours for easy slicing.
Slice and Serve: Lift the fudge from the pan using foil handles. Cut into neat squares using a sharp chef’s knife (not serrated), pressing straight down for clean edges. Tip: For even pieces, use a ruler as a cutting guide.

Expert Tips for Success

Safe flour handling: Heating the cookie mix is crucial for food safety; always check with a thermometer.
Avoiding clumps: Stir the microwave-treated mix thoroughly for a lump-free base.
Choose the right knife: Use a non-serrated, sharp blade to prevent crumbling and get smooth, sharp squares.
Get creative: Customize your fudge with different sprinkle shapes, themed colors, or drizzle with extra white chocolate for a finishing flourish.
Serving sizes: Because fudge is rich, small bite-sized pieces are ideal for parties and gift boxes.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Refrigeration: Place the cut fudge in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks without sacrificing texture or flavor.
Freezing: Fudge freezes beautifully for up to 1 month. Store pieces in a well-sealed, airtight container, separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Gift-giving: Fudge can be packaged early for holiday exchanges or given as sweet gifts throughout the year.

Customize for Any Occasion

While sugar cookie fudge shines during the holidays, its versatility means it can suit any celebration.

Valentine’s Day: Use heart-shaped sprinkles or pastel hues.
Spring: Try floral or bunny sprinkles for Easter baskets.
Birthdays: Rainbow sprinkles make the fudge festive year-round.
Halloween: Go for orange and black nonpareils or candy eyeballs.

Comparing Sugar Cookie Fudge to Classic Fudge

Aspect	Sugar Cookie Fudge	Classic Chocolate Fudge
Base Flavor	Sugar cookie, vanilla, buttery	Rich chocolate, cocoa
Main Ingredients	Cookie mix, white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk	Cocoa/chocolate, sugar, condensed milk, butter
Texture	Creamy with added crunch from cookies	Dense and smooth
Decoration	Festive sprinkles and mix-ins	Nuts, chocolate swirls, or plain
Typical Occasion	Holidays, special events, birthdays	Holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s), parties
No-Bake?	Yes	Usually (with microwave or stovetop method)

More Sugar Cookie-Inspired Desserts

If you’re a fan of sugar cookies, there’s a world of spin-offs to try beyond this fudge:

Sugar cookie biscotti – For a crunchy twist on the classic
Sugar cookie cake – Giant, shareable treat with familiar flavors
Sugar cookie truffles – Bite-sized and easy to dip in chocolate
Sugar cookie martinis – A fun, festive drink inspired by dessert

Feel free to explore these recipes to add to your holiday table or dessert spread.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if I don’t have cookie mix? Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough?

It’s possible to use homemade sugar cookie mix, but you must heat-treat the flour thoroughly for food safety. Pre-mixed store-bought blends are recommended for convenience and consistency.

Can I swap white chocolate chips for another type of chocolate?

White chocolate works best for classic sugar cookie fudge flavor, but you can experiment with milk or dark chocolate for a rich twist, though it will alter both the color and taste profile.

Is it safe to eat raw sugar cookie mix?

Not until it’s heat-treated to at least 180°F, which kills any potential bacteria in raw flour.

How do I store leftover fudge?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze for up to one month. Thaw frozen fudge at room temperature before serving for best texture.

Do I have to use sprinkles?

No, sprinkles are optional but add festive color and a gentle crunch. You can substitute colored sugar, chocolate chips, or leave the fudge plain.

Conclusion

Sugar cookie fudge is an irresistible treat that combines the warmth and nostalgia of the holiday season with the ease of a no-bake dessert. Its rich, creamy base and vibrant decoration options make it not only beautiful but also adaptable for any occasion. With straightforward steps and plenty of customization opportunities, this recipe is destined to become a staple in your festive baking—and a favorite among kids and adults alike. Enjoy gifting, sharing, or simply savoring every sweet bite!

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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