Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge with Video

This easy, creamy Peanut Butter Fudge is extremely popular during the holiday season and it’s no wonder why – it’s ridiculously good. With just 6 staple ingredients and 10 minutes hands on time, this easy fudge recipe makes the perfect holiday treat!

Originally published December 10, 2015. Updated May 2020

My mom and grandma working always worked feverishly in their kitchens around the holidays. They’d whip up batches of their famous peanut brittle that required precise temperatures and even spatulas or it would flop. 

Fortunately, Peanut Butter Fudge is foolproof! It has the creamiest texture and can’t-keep-my-hands-off-it quality that keeps you coming back for more!

I love all fudge, including chocolate fudge and vanilla fudge, but none can stack up to the sweet and salty creaminess of this fudge!

Two ingredients make this fudge recipe stand above the rest – milk and powdered sugar. It gives it the creamiest, dreamiest crowd pleasing texture!

This Peanut Butter Fudge recipe is incredibly quick and easy to make. It takes just 10 minutes, 6 staple ingredients and a little patience to solidify before you enjoy. That’s the most difficult part for me, waiting!

It’s so good that I recommend you have a share plan in mind. 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!

I like to give a lot of detail in my recipe posts to guide readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “jump to recipe” right under the title of this post and you’ll head straight there!

What’s in Peanut Butter Fudge

It’s made with staple ingredients you already have in your pantry!

• Butter – salted or unsalted, your preference.
• 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, but avoid using natural. It has an entirely different consistency that doesn’t play well with fudge and allow it to solidify.
• 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 synonymous with peanut butter fudge.

PS It’s an amazing gluten free Christmas candy!

How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge

This recipe is so simple. 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 or video in this post to see just how easy it is! You’ll find the printable Peanut Butter Fudge recipe in the card below.

1. Melt the butter, add brown sugar and milk, stir and watch as it comes to a boil.
2. Bring it to rolling boil – that’s what it should look like when you remove it from heat. Resist the temptation to stir.
3. Blend in peanut butter and vanilla. It will become creamy in texture.
4. Add powdered sugar to a mixing bowl or stand mixer.
5. Pour over powdered sugar and blend.
6. Pour into an 8″ prepared pan. Note that the fudge will be solid, not liquid. Cover the fudge with parchment paper just after pouring it and use your hand to smooth it.
7. Refrigerate until solid to set, which takes about about 40 minutes to an hour. Slice into squares or use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes!

SERIOUSLY! It’s just that easy! It turns out perfectly every time!

Dare I say it’s THE BEST fudge ever? Yes. Nothing else compares. It is so creamy it melts in your mouth! It’s candy store quality made at home in minutes. 

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

Tips

• Use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes!
• You can use any pan you have – 9″, multiple loaf pans, etc. Just keep in mind it will change the thickness of the fudge.
• Did you know that you can also make fudge in a slow cooker? Get the easy vanilla fudge recipe here.

How to Make Fudge in the Microwave

If you really want to, you can even make Peanut Butter Fudge in the microwave! It’s a great way for kids to help in the kitchen!

1. Simply combine butter and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl covered with a paper towel to prevent spatter.
2. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
3. Stir and continue to microwave for 2 more minutes.
4. Pour into greased pan and smooth with parchment paper.

How to Store 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.

It can also be refrigerated in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature to enjoy.

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.

You’ll also love these Amazing Peanut Butter Recipes including my incredible peanut butter cake recipe!

More Easy Candy Recipes

• Salted Peppermint Bark
• Peanut Butter Bark
• Cracker Toffee
• Peanut Clusters

‘Tis the season for sharing! What’s your favorite candy or cookie to gift? For more simple recipes (that everyone will love) visit my recipe index!

Hungry for more? Get my BEST Baking Secrets delivered directly to your inbox and connect on Instagram Facebook and Pinterest!

Peanut Butter Fudge

Julie Blanner

10 minute easy fudge is perfect for indulging and gifting! It's made just 6 staple ingredients! It's SO creamy and always a crowd pleaser!

4.87 from 80 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 48

Calories 115 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1/2 cup butter salted or unsalted
• ▢ 2 cup brown sugar lightly packed
• ▢ 1/2 cup whole milk can use any milk
• ▢ 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢ 3 cups 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 8×8 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

1. Combine butter and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl covered with a paper towel to prevent spatter. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
2. Stir and continue to microwave for 2 more minutes.
3. Pour into greased pan and smooth with parchment paper.

Use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes!

Use any pan you have – 9″, multiple loaf pans, etc. It will change the thickness of the fudge.

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

Calories:115kcalCarbohydrates:18gProtein:1gFat:5gSaturated Fat:2gCholesterol:5mgSodium:45mgPotassium:50mgFiber:1gSugar:17gVitamin A:63IUCalcium:13mgIron:1mg

Did you Make This Recipe?Mention @JulieBlanner