Have you had Trader Joe’s Peppermint Joe Joes yet? If you don’t know what they are, listen up. These wonderful cookies are similar to Oreo cookies, but the filling contains a sigh-inducing peppermint flavor (and chunks!). I’m not a fan of regular Oreos, but I will and can eat an entire sleeve of these peppermint cookies in one sitting. Not that I’ve tried, of course…
Anyway – We just finished making a batch of Peppermint Joe Joe ice cream (I added crushed up cookies to my go-to vanilla ice cream base) and still had about a row of cookies left over. I also needed to fill up some tins for Addie’s daycare teachers and wanted to gift them something homemade. Then it dawned upon me – peppermint cookies and cream fudge! I love fudge, and what better way to use up the remaining cookies than to add it to some fudge?
This fudge was creamy and chock full of peppermint cookies – like a cookies and cream ice cream, but in fudge form. It is a wonderful treat to for the holidays, and I know it is something that I will be making again.
Merry Christmas to all – hope your holidays are joyous and sweet!
Peppermint cookies and cream fudge
Ingredients
- 10 Trader Joe's Peppermint Joe-Joes can substitute with regular Oreo cookies
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 18 ounces white chocolate can use chips, chunks or bars
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract optional
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Generously grease or line a 8x8 inch baking pan. Set aside.
- Coarsely chop the peppermint cookies and sprinkle about a third of it on the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter and white chocolate in 30-second increments until both are completely melted. Stir well with a spatula until the mixture is smooth. Be sure not to overheat the white chocolate or it will seize.
- Add the can of sweetened condensed milk and heat in the microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Stir well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture resembles a thick brownie batter.
- Add in the vanilla, peppermint extract (if using), and salt. Stir well. Add about a third of the coarsely chopped cookies and gently mix until the cookies are just combined.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking pan and smooth out the top. Sprinkle the remaining chopped cookies on top and press down gently into the fudge.
- Allow the fudge to firm up - at least 2 to 3 hours - before cutting and serving. If needed, fudge can be refrigerated to speed up the hardening process.
Notes