This Peanut Butter Fudge is extremely popular during the holiday season and it’s no wonder why! My Peanut Butter Fudge recipe is easy, creamy and ridiculously good. Hope you enjoy it, too. Peanut Butter Fudge is perfect for indulging and gifting! With just 6 staple ingredients and 10 minutes hands on time, this easy peanut butter fudge recipe makes the perfect holiday treat!
Peanut Butter Fudge
I remember my mom and grandma working feverishly in their kitchens around the holidays. Mom was always whipping up batches of her famous peanut brittle, making it look so effortless. While I have the recipe, I have yet to master it.
What I wouldn’t do for an hour in the kitchen with her to watch her at work and learn from her. I’m sure she had some trick up her sleeve. I do know that she was very particular about the spatula she used.
And Grandma, well, she made peanut brittle as well, but she didn’t stop there. Each year she would make an array of candies and fudge. Her divinity was divine!
Beyond the sweets themselves, I loved that they were sharing something that they loved, made with the heart for those they loved. I don’t seem to have near the energy they did, but I like to do the same when I can.
I whipped up a batch of my favorite Peanut Butter Fudge with a few staple ingredients after my friend Jamey texted asking me if I had any fudge recipes I loved. After sharing it with her, I had to whip up a batch to enjoy, too!
This fudge is incredibly quick and easy to make. This Peanut Butter Fudge recipe takes just 10 minutes, 6 staple ingredients and a little patience for it to solidify before you enjoy. That’s the most difficult part for me, waiting! I will warn you, have a plan in mind to share before you get started, it’s seriously addictive.
Even better, this fudge doesn’t require any special tools or candy thermometers. It is made in a baking dish like the same square pan you use to make brownies. Honestly, it’s so SIMPLE! It’s a great no bake dessert!
What’s in Peanut Butter Fudge?
My Peanut Butter Fudge recipe is made with:
- butter – salted or unsalted, it’s your choice.
- brown sugar – this ingredient offers beautiful color and a hint of molasses flavor.
- whole milk – or half and half, one reader even mentioned using skim, though I haven’t tested it.
- peanut butter – use creamy peanut butter, but avoid using natural. It has an entirely different consistency that doesn’t play well with fudge.
- vanilla – I like to use Homemade Vanilla Extract, but any vanilla will do!
- powdered sugar – also known as confectioner’s sugar, this maintains that smooth, creamy consistency that’s synonomous with peanut butter fudge.
Do You Have to Use Whole Milk in this Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe?
I’ve tested it with whole milk and half and half, but readers on Pinterest are saying:
“I used fat free milk instead of whole and still turned out delicious!” Reagan
“This is so easy to make! I didn’t have whole milk so I used 2%, still tastes amazing and melts in your mouth!” Jacyln
How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge
I love this recipe because unlike my mom’s peanut brittle, it’s foolproof. There’s no thermometer or secret to getting a great batch, every time. See the step-by-step photos to see just how easy it is!
- Melt the butter, add brown sugar and milk, stir and watch as it comes to a boil.
- Here you’ll see a beautiful rolling boil – that’s what it should look like when you remove it from heat and pour over powdered sugar.
- Pour into a prepared pan. Cover the fudge with parchment paper just after pouring it and use your hand to smooth it.
- Refrigerate until solid. Slice into squares or use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes!
SERIOUSLY! It’s just that easy! Dare I say it’s THE BEST fudge ever? Yes. Nothing else compares. It’s candy store quality made at home in minutes.
You can see just how easy it is by watching the video in this post!
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe Tips
If you really want to, you can even make Peanut Butter Fudge in the microwave!
Simply combine butter and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl covered with a paper towel to prevent spatter. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir and continue to microwave for 2 more minutes. Pour into greased pan and smooth with parchment paper.
What Kind of Peanut Butter Should I Use to Make Peanut Butter Fudge? Use your favorite creamy peanut butter, but do not use natural, unfortunately the consistency doesn’t allow the fudge to solidify.
Use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes!
How to Store Peanut Butter Fudge
As always, fudge is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it at room temperature in an airtight container to keep this fudge fresh for over a month.
You can freeze Peanut Butter Fudge wrapped in wax paper and sealed in a ziplock bag inside an airtight container for up to 6 months. This will eliminate any risk of absorbing odor from your freezer. To thaw, simply remove the fudge from your freezer and bring it to room temperature before opening.
What Readers are Saying About this Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Shayna said “This! This PB fudge was ah-mazing! I made four batches of it for a work function…actually National PB Fudge Day – it’s a real thing! Nov 20, 2017. They love it! I finally printed the recipe and set it next to the trays of fudge. Thank you for posting some good sweet, love!”
“Swirled this peanut butter fudge recipe with some of my chocolate fudge and it was DIVINE! Thanks for the recipe.” – Courtney
Did you know that you can also make fudge in a slow cooker? Get the easy vanilla fudge recipe here.
If you are looking for other peanut butter recipes, check out Amazing Peanut Butter Recipes. You should start right here with my incredible peanut butter cake recipe.
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Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients
- 1/2 c butter salted or unsalted
- 2 c brown sugar lightly packed
- 1/2 c whole milk can use any milk
- 1 c creamy peanut butter (not natural)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 c powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring it to a boil. Allow mixture to boil for 2 minutes untouched. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and peanut butter.
- Add powdered sugar to a mixing bowl/mixer. Pour hot mixture over powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- Pour into greased 8x8 pan. Smooth with a piece of parchment paper and refrigerate until solid (about 1 hour).
- Cut into 1" squares and share!
Video
Notes
Make Fudge in the Microwave
- Combine butter and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl covered with a paper towel to prevent spatter. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
- Stir and continue to microwave for 2 more minutes.
- Pour into greased pan and smooth with parchment paper.
Variations
- Swirl it into chocolate fudge
- Add nuts
- Add marshmallows
- Add chocolate chips
- Cover in melted chocolate to make Buckeye Fudge - seriously, it tastes exactly like Buckeyes!
- Make it dairy free by substituting coconut milk
How to Store Fudge
- Room temperature in an airtight container up to a month.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature to enjoy.
- Freeze wrapped in wax paper and sealed in a ziplock bag inside an airtight container to prevent freezer odor from seeping in. Freeze for up to 6 months. To thaw, simply remove the fudge from your freezer and bring it to room temperature before opening.
Nutrition
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{Originally published December 10, 2015. Updated December 2018}
So easy and soooo delicious! Will be my go to recipe for PB fudge!
So glad you enjoyed it, too!
I’ve been making different variations of peanut butter fudge for a month now and this is my favorite! You can even substitute the butter for coconut oil, however for best results I would recommend sticking to butter.
So simple, so creamy, so divine! Great for gift giving and taking to holiday parties!
Just made a batch, can hardly wait for it to cool! Thanks!
This is my favorite fudge to make during Christmas! So creamy!
Yes! Nothing like fudge at the holidays!
Peanut butter fudge is the best for the holidays! I love that your recipe cooks the fudge on the stove top – my favorite!
I have to admit something, I’ve never tried peanut butter fudge. You make it look so irresistible that I cannot wait to whip up your recipe.
Swirled this peanut butter fudge recipe with some of my chocolate fudge and it was DIVINE! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
This is so easy to make! I didn’t have whole milk so I used 2%, still tastes amazing and melts in your mouth!
These were soooooo good! I couldn’t stop eating them and they were really easy to make.
This! This PB fudge was ah-mazing! I made four batches of it for a work function…actually National PB Fudge Day – it’s a real thing! Nov 20, 2017. They love it! I finally printed the recipe and set it next to the trays of fudge. Thank you for posting some good sweet, love!
Oh my gosh, this brings me so much joy! How did I miss the best day of the year? I’ll be whipping up several batches over the holidays. I may even share a little, too! Hope you enjoy the holiday season!
The first time I made it, it was perfect. 2nd and 3rd time it has a layer of melted butter on it when I spread it out. What am I doing wrong?
Oh no! Are you rushing it? Try beating it longer next time. Also, don’t forget that you can’t touch it the first couple minutes, it’s important in fudge making.
Okay. This recipe did not turn out well for me at all. I went to mix the powdered sugar in with the rest of the mixture and it all turned very dry and crumbly. Not smooth at all. Some feedback would be appreciated.
I’ll note that in my recipe – you just didn’t take it quite far enough. As the peanut butter warms, it becomes creamy. I hope you had a beautiful weekend!
Can this fudge be frozen?
Likely, but fresh is always best 😉
I so understand when you talk about peanut brittle. It is an art!! My MIL (mother-in-law) who I loved dearly would make about 100+ pounds a year. They would raw peanuts and her hands would almost be raw after all the work of pulling and thinning it out on the counter. Nobody has made it after she was gone. MY FIL (father-in-law) bless his heart would promise to everybody and anybody and she’d end up having to make it. She had the heart and patience of a saint. Your recipe for fudge sound delicious. Thank you for sharing.
That is pure passion, Marisa! I don’t have quite the same dedication your mother-in-law had. It sounds like he could hardly help himself he was so proud! Thank you for sharing! I hope you had a great Christmas!
Just when I was trying to figure out what recipe to make to give our neighbors for Christmas, something that might work for everyone…and here it is! Thank you so much, Julie. Cheers, Ardith
Enjoy, Ardith! Happy Holidays!
Julie, this looks absolutely divine! I bet my husband and stepson are going to love it, thanks for sharing!
Happy Holidays, Keila!
Its won my heart before I’ve even tried it.
Thanks, some little peanut butter fudge gift labels would be perfect to turn this into a great little gift. I’ll get creative.
Thanks, Inger! I hope you love it as much as we do. Thank you for pointing that out, I updated it 😉 Enjoy!
Looks like a simple enough recipe even for me!
Oops! Thanks, George! I updated it. It is so easy, enjoy!