Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (2024)

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Need an easy peanut butter fudge recipe? This fudge recipe with butter, sugar, peanut butter, and the right amount of vanilla is not only the easiest homemade peanut butter fudge you will make but is also so rich and decadent just a small slice will satisfy every dessert craving you have!

As far as this peanut butter fudge goes, make sure you watch my video as I talk you through this super easy recipe!

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (1)

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

When I think of desserts, especially desserts for a crowd, I always think of fallbacks like cakes, cookies, and trifles. But fudge is SO easy to make, and a little goes so far.

Fudge makes a delicious food gift and takes almost no time at all to make. Is this the easiest peanut butter fudge recipe ever? Could be!

Of course, one dessert recipe is never good enough, so before you go, make sure you check out one of these amazing recipe ideas!

  1. Blueberry Breakfast Cake
  2. Red, White, and Blue Jello Shots
  3. Funfetti Dip
  4. Fruit Salad Fluff
  5. Cheesecake Bars

Are you looking for chocolate fudge?

Try my Easy Fudge Recipe that has decadent, rich chocolate!

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

Let’s get started on making this oh-so-easy peanut butter fudge!

I made this again recently and gave some to neighbors (cause what are neighbors for!), and the grandmother of one of my neighbors specifically said it was the best peanut butter fudge she has had in 60 years!!

I also dropped some on my husband’s work desk, and he later texted me, “OMG! THAT’S DANGEROUS, NO MORE!”

Suffice it to say, this fudge is rich and delicious with just a few simple ingredients (that you probably have in your pantry already)

  • 1/2 cup, 1 stick, butter
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butterEasy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (2)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Common Peanut Butter Fudge Questions

  1. How long will peanut butter fudge last? Approximately 2 weeks in the fridge sealed up or 1 week on the counter.
  2. Should you refrigerate your fudge? Many people say fudge is best left on the counter so it’s not dry (sealed). HOWEVER, if you have a hot environment, fudge can melt. So, this question’s answer changes depending on how or where you are storing it. In my house, the kitchen is right near the back door, which puts out a lot of heat, so I prefer to put mine in the fridge. However you store it, make sure its airtight as it’s the air that dries it out.

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge

Line an 8×8 square baking panEasy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (3) with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Melt butter in a saucepanEasy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (4) over medium-low heat.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (5)

Add brown sugar and half and half and heat on medium, stirring constantly.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (6)

The mixture will begin to boil; when that happens, start the time for 2 minutes.

Boil for two minutes as the mixture begins to bubble and rise in the pan.

Continue to stir.

After 2 minutes, remove from heat.

Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (7)

Place 2.5 cups of powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl and add the peanut butter mixture.

Powdered sugar can be really hard to get just right with its fluffy nature. Beat the sugar and peanut butter until combined well.

You can adjust the consistency slightly, adding a few tablespoons of sugar at a time if needed to smooth out.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (8)
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (9)

Pour your fudge mixture into your prepared pan and press gently with the back of a spoon to even out.

I tried a metal spoon, wooden spoon, and spatula and liked the wooden spoon for the most, even top.

Honestly, fingers work really well to smooth also (just clean ones!)

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (10)

Freeze your peanut butter fudge for at least one hour or set in the fridge overnight before cutting.

TIP: When I made the video, I needed the fudge quickly and put it in the freezer for an hour. It set pretty quickly.

To remove the fudge from the pan, lift the foil out of the pan and peel away from the fudge.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (11)

Place onto a cutting board and cut into 36 squares.

There will be a few cracks on the edges, and you can easily discard those.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (12)

Because peanut butter is sensitive to heat, I keep my fudge in a sealed container in the fridge when not serving.

Makes 36 squares (depending on how you cut)

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (13)

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (14)

4.66 from 83 votes

click the stars to rate!

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

Author Trisha Haas – Salty Side Dish


Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 day d 10 minutes mins

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe! This fudge recipe with butter, sugar, peanut butter and the right amount of vanilla is not only the easiest homemade peanut butter fudge you will make, but is also so rich and decadent just a small slice will satisfy every dessert craving you have!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup 1 stick, butter
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Line an 8×8 square baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium low heat. Once melted, go to next step.

  • Add brown sugar and half and half to your melted butter sauce pan and heat on medium, stirring constantly.

  • Brown sugar/butter Mixture will begin to boil and when that happens, start the time for 2 minutes.

  • Boil for two minutes, as mixture will begin to bubble and rise in the pan. Continue to stir.

  • After 2 minutes. remove from heat.

  • Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.

  • Place powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl and add hot peanut butter mixture.

  • Mix peanut butter fudge until combined well.

  • Pour fudge into prepared pan and press gently with the back of a spoon to even top.

  • If you need fudge to be served quickly, put in freeze for an hour before cutting or place in fridge for 2 hours or overnight (for best set)

  • To remove peanut butter fudge from pan, lift foil out of pan and peel away from the fudge.

  • Place fudge onto a cutting board and cut into 36 squares.

  • Store fudge in air tight container in the fridge

Video

Notes

  • STORAGE: in the video i stated that I put mine in the fridge, and we do because we live in the south and its very hot here….but having in the fridge too long can dry out if not completely sealed so if you live in an even tempered environment, its best in an air tight container on the counter.

Nutrition

Serving: 36slices | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 59mg | Sugar: 19g

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.

Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.

Did You Make This Recipe?

Make sure to follow Salty Side Dish on Pinterest and rate the recipe here and make sure to leave a comment below!

4.66 from 83 votes

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (15)
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

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.

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.

What causes peanut butter fudge not to harden? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

Is evaporated milk or condensed milk better for fudge? ›

Evaporated milk doesn't have sugar added. The sweetened condended milk is needed as no extra sugar is added to the fudge. If evaporated milk were used then the fudge would not be sweet enough and also would still be too soft unless the fudge is frozen.

Why is my peanut butter fudge gooey? ›

Chewy fudge is often the result of undercooking. To fix it, you can reheat the fudge mixture over low heat and continue cooking until it reaches the proper temperature. Be sure to use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately.

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

How do 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).

Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›

Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.

Why is fudge so hard to make? ›

Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft. A temperature of 112°C to 114°C (234°F to 237°F) must be maintained. This will ensure the fudge has the ideal concentration of water and sugar. Fudge is difficult to make.

Can you Recook fudge if it doesn't set? ›

If it's overcooked (resulting in grainy fudge) or undercooked (resulting in poor setting) all you really need to do is add a bit of cream, reheat the fudge to the target temperature, and let it set again.

Can you use powdered sugar in place of granulated sugar in fudge? ›

Powdered sugar is beloved for an exceptionally smooth texture that makes it ideal for frosting, fudge and candies. It's also delicious dusted on brownies, doughnuts and cakes. Can Powdered Sugar be substituted for Granulated Sugar in recipes? Substituting Powdered Sugar for Granulated Sugar is not recommended.

What is the best temperature to cook fudge? ›

Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F). The cooking is intended to evaporate a part of the liquid and concentrate the sugar. The temperature of the cream/sugar mixture (called syrup) rises as water evaporates.

Should fudge set in the fridge? ›

The ratio of chocolate to condensed milk needs to be just right, otherwise you might end up with fudge that is too soft or too hard. Do not freeze the fudge to set it. Best way is to just be patient for a couple hours and set it in the fridge. If your fudge hasn't set, then you've gone wrong somewhere else.

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 you describe high quality fudge? ›

High-quality fudge tastes smooth and creamy because it contains small sugar crystals. It has a deep brown color and a satiny sheen. Poor-quality fudge tastes grainy because it contains large sugar crystals.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

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