Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe [Video] (2024)

Peanut Butter Fudge is the smoothest, creamiest, and easiest fudge ever! Decadent with an over-the-top nutty flavor, it’s an addicting snack and a wonderful edible gift.

Sometimes, you just want quick and yummy desserts with no baking or complicated steps. For those days, whip up some Cashew Chocolate Truffles, No Bake Lemon Cheesecake, or Butterscotch Banana Trifle to satisfy those sweet cravings in no time at all!

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe [Video] (1)

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge – 5 Ingredients Only

This Peanut Butter Fudge recipe is pure magic. It is literally ready in no time. In minutes, I have a plate of these sweet, creamy squares on the counter. Before I know it, they’re gone!

Our love for peanut butter definitely runs deep in my house. Also, our friends are crazy about these creamy and delicious treats, so I make a huge batch for gifts every year.

Luckily, this is so easy to make and only needs five ingredients. I make mine on the stovetop, but you can also make it in the microwave. Jazz it up if you like! Also, feel free to add chopped Reese’s Pieces, swirl in some chocolate, sprinkle some flaky salt or chocolate chips on top, crushed pretzels, use different nuts – go wild! It’s such a fun, simple, and delicious treat.

Put this recipe on your Christmas treat list now and skip. With just 5 ingredients and a few minutes, you will have the perfect snack to celebrate during the Christmas holiday!

Peanut butter fudge ingredients:

This dessert is ready in no time, and you only need a few easy to find ingredients. I mean it— FIVE ingredients only! The last one, salt, is completely optional. You will need the following:

  • Powdered sugar: We use fine, powdered sugar because it easily melts into the mixture and prevents any grittiness.
  • Brown Sugar: for a deep, caramel flavor.
  • Butter: Use the best quality you can get because it’s a key flavor in this dessert. The fat also prevents the sugar from crystalizing, which results in supreme creaminess. Either salted or unsalted is fine.
  • Peanut spread: Use chunky or smooth, whatever you prefer.
  • Pure vanilla extract: That subtle boost of flavor makes a world of difference in this dessert!
  • Peanuts: Give them a rough chop.

How to make Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge?

  1. Boil the peanut spread, brown sugar and butter. First, let it reach a steady boil while stirring a few times until incorporated. Then, turn off the heat.
  2. Add the sugar. Next, stir in the pure vanilla followed by the sugar.
  3. Allow it to set. Transfer to a parchment or foil-lined dish. Use a spatula to smoothen out the surface. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Leave it to cool until it sets, around 1 hr.
  4. Cut. Once it’s firm, invert into a cutting board. Slice carefully into blocks. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe [Video] (4)

How to Make Microwave Fudge?

You can either skip the oven to make this super easy and simple recipe. To make it in the microwave, follow the steps below:

  1. Melt the peanut butter mixture. Start by microwaving the spread with the butter on high until smooth and completely incorporated. Stir thoroughly every minute. Then, add the vanilla. Lastly, stir in the sugar until completely melted into the mix.
  2. Let it set. Transfer to your pan and use a spatula to smooth out the surface. Sprinkle crushed nuts on top. Let it sit until firm.
  3. Cut. Slice into a block or small squares and enjoy!

What is the best peanut butter to use?

I prefer using the store-bought variety for its consistency. The natural, homemade kind tends to be too oily. It’s okay to use it, but dump out the oil or mix very well before starting with the recipe.

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe [Video] (5)

Why is my peanut butter fudge crumbly?

First, this might be due because the sugar may not have melted enough into the mix. This will give you a gritty texture instead of smooth.

Another reason is that the butter and spread were not combined properly.

To avoid this, make sure the mixture reaches a boil. If it’s not hot enough, the fat content will prevent the two from coming together. Stir very well until you achieve a uniformly smooth mixture.

Storage Instructions:

Store the pieces in a tightly-sealed container and consume within 14 days if kept in the fridge.

To freeze, use a freezer-proof dish. Also, let the fudge completely cool and set after cooking it. Then, freeze for up to 3 months.

More homemade fudge recipes:

  • No Bake Nutella Fudge
  • Blueberry Fudge
  • Mint Chocolate Chip Fudge
  • White Chocolate Fudge
  • Easy Oreo Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe [Video] (6)

Recipe tips and notes:

  • Use a loaf pan if you like thicker pieces, and an 8×8 if you like them thinner.
  • Simply double the amounts in the recipe to produce a bigger batch.
  • Cover the pan with a sheet of parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking.
  • You can skip the vanilla is not a fan.
  • I like chilling it for several hours for easier cutting.
  • Also, for beautiful, straight cuts, clean your knife between every slice.
  • If adding ingredients like chocolate, do it while the mixture is warm.

Peanut Butter Fudge

  • Prep Time10 MIN
  • Cook Time10 MIN
  • Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 16 oz brown sugar packed
  • 1 1/2 cup peanut butter smooth or chunky
  • 1 cup butter unsalted
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup chopped peanuts

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Instructions

  • Line an 8-inch square dish with foil or parchment paper, so it has handles on the side for easy peanut butter fudge removal.

  • Add the butter and brown sugar to a medium pot, over medium heat, stir and melt, add the peanut butter, stir and bring to a boil, make sure to stir to combine.

  • Bring to a steady boil and then remove from heat.

  • Stir in the vanilla, and after that the powdered sugar one cup at a time.

  • Once completely combined, transfer to the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top.

  • Set aside to cool and set for about an hour.

  • When ready, remove from the baking sheet and cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe [Video] (7)
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe [Video] (2024)

FAQs

Why didn t my peanut butter fudge set? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

How do you know when fudge is beaten enough? ›

After letting the fudge cool, it's time to beat it. It is important to stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture starts to thicken and its surface starts to look dull or matte. Now is the time to stop beating and pour the fudge into a mould.

What happens if you don't beat fudge long enough? ›

However, if you don't beat it at all, the crystals won't form properly, so your fudge won't set. If you forget to beat the fudge, try heating it back up over low heat, then beat it once it's slightly softened. If you beat the fudge too soon, the crystals will be too large, and the fudge will be grainy.

What not to do when making fudge? ›

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Candy Shop-Worthy Fudge and Caramels
  1. Using the Wrong Pan. All candy and confections start by melting sugar. ...
  2. Stirring the Sugar. ...
  3. Not Using a Candy Thermometer. ...
  4. Leaving Out the Parchment Paper Lining. ...
  5. Skipping the Cooking Spray. ...
  6. Scraping the Pot. ...
  7. Using a Cold Knife to Slice.
Dec 16, 2015

How do you make fudge creamy and not grainy? ›

Grainy Fudge

To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon. You can use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar that sticks to the sides of the pot.

Can you fix peanut butter fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

Can you redo fudge that didn't set? ›

How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

You should mix the cream, butter, and sugar when making your fudge, but put down the spoon once it has reached its boiling point. Stirring while your sugar mixture is boiling will only form sugar crystals and make your fudge crunchy rather than silky smooth.

What happens if you over stir fudge? ›

Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to a boil, do not stir it. If you do, the sugar can crystallize, giving your fudge a gritty texture.

What is the best pan to make fudge in? ›

Secondly, the pot's material should allow for good heat distribution hence your top choice should be copper cookware or a pot with a copper core. Copper's exceptional heat conductivity offers unparalleled temperature control, an asset when working with finicky ingredients like sugar.

What should fudge look like after beating? ›

The fudge is then beaten as this makes the fudge slightly crumbly rather than chewy. Beating the mixture encourages the formation of small sugar crystals, which leads to the crumbly texture. The crystals may not be noticeable in themselves but the fudge mixture will thicken and turn from shiny to matte in appearance.

How long should fudge cool before beating? ›

Let the pot sit undisturbed between 30-60 minutes, until temperature drops to 100°F or 37.77°C. Some people say you don't need to go this low, but I've started aiming for this temperature after reading how cooler sugar crystals stay smaller (to avoid grainy fudge).

What makes high quality fudge? ›

You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

How do I get my fudge to harden? ›

OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed. Cross your fingers and hope that the chocolate sets firmly before the fudge starts to thaw, and later impress your friends as you present them with your soft-centred chocolates.

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