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? ›

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).

Why didn't my peanut butter fudge set? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

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.

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 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

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.

Can you fix fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 4) If you think the reason it didn't set was because you didn't heat it to the right temperature, you could try putting it back into the pan and re-cooking.

What to do with failed fudge? ›

My advice to you is to just pour it in a jar, call it something else delicious, and pretend you meant for it to be that way. The nice thing about my “failed” fudge is that it tastes absolutely delicious! A spoonful of the delectable treat will make you want for more.

Why won't my 2 ingredient fudge set? ›

Why won't my 2-ingredient fudge set? If your fudge isn't setting, it might be due to underheating the mixture or not chilling it long enough.

Why is my peanut butter fudge dry and crumbly? ›

If it doesn't boil, your fudge will end up too mushy, and if it cooks for too long, you'll end up with a dry, crumbly mess. This is why many recipes recommend using a candy thermometer, so you know exactly when to remove your mixture from the heat.

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.

Why did my fudge turn out like taffy? ›

If the temperature is too low, the fudge will be too soft and sticky, and if it's too high, it will turn into a hard, crumbly mess. The ideal temperature to cook fudge is between 232-234 degrees F (111-112 degrees C).

Do you stir fudge when it's boiling? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.

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 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.

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.

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!

What makes fudge softer? ›

If you don't heat your fudge to a high enough temperature, you'll end up with a soft product. And if you heat the mixture too much, your fudge may be harder than you'd like.

What would cause fudge not to harden? ›

Homemade Fudge Doesn't Always Set

If your fudge doesn't firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn't reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.

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