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Easy Peanut Butter Fudge . . . this simple fudge is the perfect treat for any peanut butter lover. It’s perfect for gift giving!
I am by no means a candy making expert, but this fudge turned out perfectly the very first time I made it. So don’t be afraid to try homemade fudge!
![Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Creations by Kara (1) Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Creations by Kara (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
This will be hard for some of you to believe, but I have never made fudge before. I adore chocolate, but fudge is not my favorite treat, so I’ve just never tried.
My mom, on the other hand, loves fudge. So when she was down last week, we made fudge. We debated between pumpkin pie, eggnog, and peanut butter fudge. This recipe won out because I thought it would be a little less sweet, and because it looked the easiest. (We were tired, OK.)
![Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Creations by Kara (2) Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Creations by Kara (2)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
It was very simple, rich, and yummy. If you like peanut butter, you should try this. If you wrap it up tightly and store it in an airtight container, it will last a few days. (Probably longer, but ours was totally eaten up by then.)
We like this fudge best with chunky peanut butter, because it’s nice having a bit of crunch in every creamy bite. But you can use creamy if you prefer. Either way it is melt in your mouth delicious!
![Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Creations by Kara (3) Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Creations by Kara (3)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Love peanut butter? Here are a few more recipes you should try:
- Rice Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
- Peanut Butter Waffles
- Peanut Butter Scones
- Peanut Butter Sauce
MORE CANDY RECIPES:
- Butter Mints
- Turtle Candy
- Saltine Toffee
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles
- Microwave Caramels
- Brigadeiro
EASY PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup finely chopped salted peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare an 8" pan by lining with foil and coating with butter. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Add brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and boil for exactly 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add peanut butter and vanilla.
- Measure powdered sugar into a large bowl and pour hot mixture over the top. Beat till smooth. Stir in chopped peanuts if desired.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan. Chill till set. Cut into small squares.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
64Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 79Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 36mgCarbohydrates: 11gNet Carbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 1g
Did you make this recipe?
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(original photo -post updated 2/2018)
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Reader Interactions
Comments
I love this recipe, came out perfect, friends are asking me to make it for them and their family’s. Do get your electric hand mixer out to finish the powder sugar in the end, makes it really smooth.
So glad it was a hit with your friends! And yes, a hand mixer does make it much easier to get it smooth. 🙂
I love this recipe, came out perfect and friends are asking me to make it for them and their family’s. Do get your electric hand mixer out to finish the powder sugar in the end, makes it really smooth.
Love this fudge! It’s very creamy and I’m just afraid that it will melt if not kept in the refrigerator at all times. Can I freeze this? I want to give it as gifts but I’m afraid it would stay out of the refrigerator too long and melt. Thank you!
I haven’t tried freezing it, but I think that should work just fine!
How rude. I love dry fudge. 😝
I just added 3 Tbsp milk and it was perfect and delish 🤗🎄🧑🎄
Thanks for sharing your changes, glad it worked out for you! 🙂
Love this recipe, it’s so yummy!
I’m in CO and found only 2 1/4 cups of powdered sugar was neccessary to prevent over drying…
Thanks for the tip! I guess maybe the amount of powdered sugar needed depends on climate, altitude, etc? That’s why I don’t make fudge very often. LOL!
Recipe is wrong …..way too dry!
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FAQs
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt cheese and butter together, then add peanut butter and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla and nuts. Empty confectioner's sugar into a large bowl and pour cheese mixture over sugar. Stir until completely mixed.
How do you make Paula Deen peanut butter fudge? ›
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt cheese and butter together, then add peanut butter and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla and nuts. Empty confectioner's sugar into a large bowl and pour cheese mixture over sugar. Stir until completely mixed.
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.
What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›
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. As you beat the fudge, pay attention to color and texture. Once the fudge loses its sheen and thickens, put down your spoon.
Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›
Don't stir!
Once the fudge reaches soft-ball stage on the candy thermometer, remove from the heat and let the temperature drop to 110°F. Keep that spoon or spatula out of the pot until this happens. If you stir too early in the process, you'll make the sugar crystals too big and end up with grainy fudge.
Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›
Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool.
What makes peanut butter fudge grainy? ›
Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy.
Why is my peanut butter fudge chewy? ›
If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).
Why is my old fashioned fudge not hardening? ›
The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.
Why did my peanut butter fudge turn out 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.
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. Alternatively, you can try to salvage chewy fudge by mixing it into ice cream or using it as a topping for desserts.
How to make fudge more solid? ›
How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream.
What consistency should fudge be before it sets? ›
You know it's ready when a small amount of the mixture dropped into a glass of cold water sets into a soft ball that you can lift out with a teaspoon and pinch between your fingers. Turn off the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes or until the mix starts to thicken a little.
What to do with failed fudge? ›
Options for what you can do with your unset fudge:
OPTION 1) Depending on how runny it is, you can either use it as a frosting for cakes, or a sauce for ice-cream. OPTION 2) Freeze it overnight. Cut it into squares. Cover each square thickly in melted chocolate, ensuring no part of the fudge is exposed.
Why hasn't my fudge set properly? ›
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 ingredient makes fudge hard? ›
Too cooked
At this temperature, the sugar is too concentrated and there is not enough water left to form syrup around sugar crystals. The result is hard and brittle fudge. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.)
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!