Peppermint fudge
This minty peppermint fudge is a delightful homemade gift for the holidays—perfect for sharing with friends and family. Not only is it rich and indulgent, but it’s also versatile for those following a low fodmap diet, depending on the type of condensed milk you use.
If you’re using regular-fat, store-bought cow condensed milk, this fudge sadly isn't for you. However, swap it for regular-fat coconut condensed milk, and you can enjoy a small square without worry. Better yet, using lactose-free condensed milk means you can savour a generous square while staying within low fodmap limits. Not sure how to make lactose-free condensed milk? Follow our step by step instructions here.
INGREDIENTS
300g dark chocolate, 70%+ (I used 80% because I LOVE dark chocolate)
8g peppermints (I blitzed 2 peppermints in a food processor until powdered or you could crush the peppermints in a mortar and pestle).
DECORATIONS (optional)
white chocolate
freeze-dried strawberries, cherries or raspberries
METHOD
Line a tray with baking paper. I used a rectangular shape (37.5cm x 25.5cm x 3cm ).
In a double-boiler over medium heat, combine the dark chocolate and condensed milk. Heat until melted and stir until smooth. Stir in the peppermint.
Spoon into the prepared tray and use a spatula to smooth the surface.
Add decorations, if desired. I used 10g of white chocolate and freeze-dried strawberries for some extra glamour.
Refrigerate for 2 hours, then cut into squares.
NOTES
Condensed milk: If you are sensitive to lactose, then there’s literally no “safe” amount of this fudge that you can eat because regular fat (cow) condensed milk is high in fodmaps (the Monash App recommends 7g or 1 teaspoon). However, if you use regular fat (coconut) condensed milk, the recommended serving size is 40g (2 tablespoons) which will afford you one small block of fudge. But if you use low lactose condensed milk, you can eat one generous block of fudge and that’s worth the faff. Promise! Find out how here 👉🏽
Dark: Use 70%+ dark chocolate, not milk chocolate. It contains less lactose and fructans than other varieties. 30g is the recommended low fodmap serving size of dark chocolate.
Peppermint: Peppermint-based mints (or peppermint oil) are sometimes recommended to people with IBS to smooth muscles in the GI tract. It can be difficult to find peppermints without polyols and you should definitely avoid any products labeled sugar-free. I literally blitzed 2 peppermint lollies in my food processor because I didn’t have any peppermint oil in my pantry but using oil is definitely an option. Make sure you add 1 drop at a time into the condensed milk until you get your preferred flavour profile (don’t add directly into the chocolate or you risk it seizing).
p.s. I know you may be wanting to use one of the kids’ leftover Christmas candy canes but there’s literally no way of determining how much peppermint they contain and what else is in there.