Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

If you’ve been looking for a treat that is ridiculously easy, absolutely nostalgic, and tastes like a giant hug, you’ve found it! This Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe is a true game-changer. It delivers rich, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection with minimal effort and just a handful of ingredients. Ready in minutes and needing only time to chill, this is the perfect solution for satisfying that deep, comforting sweet tooth, making it a must-have for holidays, gifts, or just a Tuesday night!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No-Fail Perfection: Forget the candy thermometer! This recipe skips all the fuss of traditional fudge making. Trust me, you are going to get perfectly set, creamy fudge every single time.
• Ultimate Comfort Flavor: The combination of sweet, buttery richness and salty, savory peanut butter is an absolute classic. It’s impossible to take just one bite!
• Quick & Simple: With only about 15 minutes of active kitchen time, this is the fastest way to get gourmet-level fudge into your belly.
• Perfect for Gifting: Fudge is the ultimate homemade gift! Wrap these gorgeous little squares up, and you’ll instantly become everyone’s favorite person.

Ingredients

This recipe requires just five simple ingredients plus an optional garnish! It’s incredible how something so simple can taste so decadent. Gather up these essentials:

• Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Use a classic creamy variety (like Jif or Skippy) for the best texture and creamiest result. Avoid natural, stir-style peanut butter as the oils can separate.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds the necessary richness and helps set the structure. Unsalted lets us control the final level of saltiness in the treat.
• Vanilla Extract: A secret weapon in baking! It deepens and enhances the sweetness, making the overall flavor much more complex and appealing.
• Powdered Sugar (Sifted): This is what transforms the liquids into fudge! Sifting it is crucial to guarantee an ultra-smooth texture—nobody wants a lumpy fudge!
• Salt: Essential for balancing the intense sweetness and highlighting the savory peanut butter flavor. Don’t skip this!
• Crushed Peanuts: (Optional) Adds a fantastic little crunch and a beautiful finished look to the top of the fudge.

Note: The exact ingredients with precise measurements and nutritional information will be listed right under the article in the Recipe Card.

How to Make the Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

Creating this gorgeous fudge is truly a breeze. Get ready to watch the magic happen!

Step 1: Prep the Pan

Line your 8×8-inch pan with a sheet of parchment paper. Make sure to leave some overhang—those little flaps are your future handles for lifting the entire block out later!

Step 2: Melt the Fats

In a medium saucepan set over low heat (patience, friend!), melt the butter completely. Once melted, stir in the peanut butter until it’s perfectly smooth and fully combined with the butter. Take the mixture immediately off the heat.

Step 3: Add the Flavor

Stir in the vanilla extract and the salt. Give it a good whisk until everything is incorporated and the aroma of vanilla starts to fill your kitchen.

Step 4: Add the Sugar

Now for the transformation! Gradually add your sifted powdered sugar, mixing until the mixture becomes thick, smooth, and lump-free. It will go from liquid to a proper fudge consistency pretty quickly, so mix well to ensure everything is incorporated.

Step 5: Press and Chill

Transfer the thick, beautiful fudge mixture into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to press it down evenly into all the corners. If you’re using crushed peanuts, sprinkle them over the top and gently press them down so they adhere. Send the pan to the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours, or until it’s completely firm.

Step 6: Cut and Serve

Once firm, use those handy parchment paper handles to lift the whole block of fudge out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and slice it into gorgeous little squares. Time to enjoy this absolute winner!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Sift that Sugar! I cannot stress this enough: always sift your powdered sugar. The difference between a smooth-as-silk fudge and a slightly grainy one is all in this simple step.
• Keep the Heat LOW: When melting the butter and peanut butter, use low heat and remove it immediately once combined. If the mixture gets too hot, the final texture of the fudge can become greasy or crumbly.
• Don’t Substitute Peanut Butter: Stick to creamy, processed peanut butter (like a classic Jif or Skippy). Natural peanut butter often separates when heated, leading to an oily or gritty result.
• Customize the Topping: Instead of peanuts, try topping the fudge with mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or a drizzle of melted milk chocolate right before chilling!

How to Serve

This fudge is delicious all on its own, but here are a few fun ways to enjoy it:

• Dessert Platter Star: Cut into small squares and arrange on a platter alongside fresh berries and dark chocolate for a stunning presentation.
• Coffee Pairing: Pair a square with a hot cup of black coffee or an espresso; the bitterness perfectly balances the sweetness of the fudge.
• Crumbled Topping: Crumble a chilled square over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate peanut butter sundae experience!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the cut fudge pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you store it in the fridge, let it sit out for 5-10 minutes before serving for the best, creamiest texture.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze fudge! Place the cut squares in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separated by sheets of parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

No reheating necessary! Thaw frozen fudge overnight in the refrigerator, then let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before enjoying.

FAQs

1. Why did my fudge turn out too crumbly or dry?

This typically happens if the mixture was overheated during the initial melting stage or if too much powdered sugar was added. The key is to melt the butter and peanut butter over very low heat and remove it right away. If it’s already crumbly, try adding 1-2 teaspoons of melted butter back into the mixture and stir quickly to see if it brings the mixture back together before setting.

2. Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

You absolutely can! Using crunchy peanut butter will result in a fudge that has built-in texture and crunch, which can be delicious. Just keep in mind that the overall texture of the base will be slightly less silky smooth than with the creamy variety.

3. Do I have to refrigerate this fudge?

While the recipe calls for refrigeration to set it quickly, this type of fudge will set at room temperature as well, it just takes longer (4-6 hours or overnight). Refrigerating for 2 hours is the fastest way to get those perfect, clean-cut squares, but you can certainly let it set out if you prefer.

4. Can I halve or double this recipe?

Yes, this recipe is very forgiving! To halve the recipe, simply use a smaller loaf pan (like a 9×5 inch) instead of the 8×8 inch pan and cut all the ingredients exactly in half. To double it, use a 9×13 inch pan and double all the measurements. Just be sure to use a large enough saucepan!