Peanut Butter Fudge is made easily with only 4 simple ingredients, no candy thermometer needed! This easy fudge recipe is made with delicious and simple ingredient you can find in your pantry: peanut butter, sugar, milk and vanilla extract- that’s it!
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge is one of my favorite fudge recipes because it is so simple to make and it is always amazingly delicious. The creamy and smooth texture of this peanut butter fudge recipe reminds me of the fudge my grandma use to make.
Recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge
This fudge recipe has become my go to fudge recipe due to how quickly the fudge sets, I typically do still wait a couple hours before slicing it, but it seems to be nearly complete and set after about an hour. Fudge in an hour, that’s amazing!! Also, unlike many other fudge recipes, this one does not require a ton of stirring or attention to the exact temperature of the mixture. I enjoy making this recipe with creamy peanut butter, it produces a smooth and creamy texture that is perfect. But sometimes it is fun to mix it up and use a crunchy peanut butter, who doesn’t love a little crunchy in their fudge? No matter how you choose to make this fudge the results you will achieve a nothing less than fudge perfection!
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients
- Sugar: You need 2 cups of graduated sugar to give this fudge the right amount of sweetness in contrast to the peanut butter flavor.
- Milk: Using 1/2 cup milk will give this fudge a perfect texture and consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Using 1 tsp of vanilla extract will help enhance the natural flavors in this recipe.
- Peanut Butter: You will need 3/4 cup peanut butter, you can use creamy or chunky depending on your preference.
Peanut Butter Fudge Easy Add-Ins and Variations
Feel free to add mini chocolate chips, salted peanuts or mini M&M candies to the top of the fudge, before it’s set. Press add-ins into the fudge slightly so that they stick.
How to make Peanut Butter Fudge
Prep
Prepare an 8X8 (or 9X9) square pan with buttered foil. To do this, cut a piece of foil that is slightly larger than the pan and then spread softened butter on the foil with a spatula or by placing your hand in a plastic bag like a glove and using your fingers to spread the butter on the foil. Press the foil into the pan, butter side up. The foil should come at least most of the way up the sides.
Making the Fudge
Next, in a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Boil for 2 1/2 minutes.
After the 2 1/2 minutes, remove the mixture from heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth.
Set and serve
Proceed to pour the fudge mixture into prepared pan and let set for about 1-2 hours in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.
To slice, just remove the entire foil from the pan and fold the edges down flat. It is so much easier to slice and serve this way than trying to do it while it is still in the pan!
Serve and enjoy!
Do I need a thermometer for 4 ingredient peanut butter fudge?
You do not need a candy thermometer to make our easy peanut butter fudge! Just combine the sugar and milk and bring to a full, rolling boil. Set the timer and boil for 2-3 minutes and then proceed with the recipe.
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup peanut butter
Instructions
Prep
- Prepare an 8X8 (or 9X9) square pan with buttered foil. To do this, cut apiece of foil that is slightly larger than the pan and then spread softened butter on the foil with a spatula or by placing your hand in a plastic bag like a glove and using your fingers to spread the butter on the foil. Press the foil into the pan, butter side up. The foil should come at least most of the way up the sides.
Making the Fudge
- Next, in a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Boil for 2 1/2 minutes.
- After the 2 1/2 minutes, remove the mixture from heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth.
Set and serve
- Proceed to pour the fudge mixture into prepared pan and let set for about1-2 hours in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.
- To slice, just remove the entire foil from the pan and fold the edges down flat. It is so much easier to slice and serve this way than trying to do it while it is still in the pan!
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe FAQ
I always make this recipe with regular creamy peanut butter and it works perfectly for achieving that smooth, fudgy texture. If you like a bit of crunch and texture, I think that crunchy peanut butter would work really well in this recipe too. Use a regular peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for best results – I have found that more natural peanut butters (the ones where the oil is separated out) usually don’t work as well in baking, most likely because they tend to be a little bit runnier.
If your fudge isn’t setting, double check that you added the full 2 cups of sugar to the pan. Make sure you brought the fudge to a full boil before starting your 2:30 timer.
Make sure you didn’t overcook the fudge to avoid it getting dry. The best way to avoid this is by setting a timer when you’re cooking the milk and sugar.
Milk and sugar boil together to make a type of candy, which, when combined with the peanut butter, cool and harden to make the fudge.
You can stir the sugar and milk while they are cooking to make sure all the sugar granules dissolve and avoid grainy fudge.
Oily fudge happens most often as a result of the type of peanut butter used to make it. Natural peanut butters tend to be more separated, resulting in oily fudge. I recommend using basic Jif or Skippy to make this fudge recipe.
Storing Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Does homemade peanut butter fudge need to be refrigerated?
Peanut Butter fudge should NOT be refrigerated as it tends to dry out the fudge.
Can you freeze fudge?
Yes! Freezing fudge is easy. Just double wrap it in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then store it in an airtight container. Will stay fresh for 3 months. Thaw and cut into squares to serve.
How long is peanut butter fudge good for?
If stored in an airtight container on the countertop, fudge will stay good for about a week. It does slowly dry out, so I recommend enjoying it within 4-5 days.
Enjoy Easy Holiday Candy recipes? Here are more we love:
- Easy Oreo Balls
- Buckeye Balls Candy
- Saltine Cracker Toffee recipe
- Tiger Butter Fudge
- Easy Chocolate Peppermint Patties
- Raspberry Jelly Candy
- Easy Mint Chocolates
- Chocolate Raspberry Sticks
- Homemade Almond Joy Bars
- Microwave Pumpkin Spiced Caramels
- Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
- Martha Washington Candy (Coconut Pecan Truffles)
- Rolo Pretzel Turtles
Peanut Butter Fudge is made with only 4 ingredients and is so easy to make. This is the perfect recipe for a family get together or any holiday, try it today and see what we mean!
Debra Schaper says
I made it today snd it was awesome!! I love peanut butter anything. All of your recipes are fantastic. Thank you
Nicole says
Aw thank you so much
Bev says
I agree, and if you have ever tried peanut butter cookies baked in a mini muffin tin – put a dent in each as soon as they are out of the oven , fill with chocolate ganache, and then drizzle melted peanut butter over .
Oh, have to add one more – peanut butter sauce , so good for savory
Nicole says
Oh yes, that sounds incredible
Barbara Newkirk says
I do not make but I do like Peanut Butter so I will try it.
Nicole says
We’re glad you’re willing to give this recipe a shot
Missy says
I make this peanut butter fudge a couple of times a month! Easy, delicious and a real crowd pleaser!
Nicole says
We’re so happy that you enjoy it
Becki C says
I love making peanut butter frosting
Nicole says
We like our peanut butter frosting with a little cream cheese 😉 Check out our CREAM CHEESE PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING
Tracy Tibbels says
These look interesting–I’m not usually a fan of fudge, but the peanut butter would make them fantastic!
**My favorite use for peanut butter is to add it to a smoothie, with almond milk, a touch of honey, and maybe protein powder (or vanilla yogurt). So delicious!**
Nicole says
Peanut butter makes everything fantastic 😉 and your smoothie sounds like a deliciously healthy treat
Denise McNabb says
I make an ice cream pie with a peanut butter graham cracker crust, bake it, then add melted chocolate chips on top. After it cools from baking, I fill it with vanilla ice cream. I melt more chocolate chips with some vanilla extract and whipping cream, then drizzle that on top. Cover and freeze. Delish!!
Nicole says
You had me at ice cream pie with peanut butter. Sounds soooo yummy!
Bob says
Having lost almost 50 lbs. and keeping it off for 3 years now, this recipe is now one of my go-to recipes. i can cheat on occasion, and it’s with this one! Love all of your other recipes, too!
Nicole says
Hey after losing 50 pounds you deserve a treat! What an accomplishment.
Annette Lussier says
I like to use peanut butter for energy balls with oats and honey.
Nicole says
Those are great too! Sounds similar to our OATMEAL PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS recipe
Tammy says
My family are over the moon for anything with peanut butter! I am going to surprise them at Easter with this peanut butter fudge! ❤️
2 favorite peanut butter recipes I make my family are peanut butter oatmeal bars and the classic peanut butter cookies!
Nicole says
Ohh love it! Peanut butter is always great in sweets and savory recipes
Tia says
Favourite way to eat peanut butter is by coreing and cutting an apple, slap on some peanut butter and top it off with rolled oats. Great little heath kick for a busy day
Nicole says
Oh that does sound delicious
Jean Smith says
Family and I love this fudge!
Nicole says
Glad to hear it! 🙂
Carole Hibbens says
I use peanut butter to make a very easy pie .It’s quick and delicious!
Nicole says
It sounds delicious. Yum!
Dorothy Kielty says
I am so boring – my lfavorite way to use peanut butter is just spread on celery. But I really like to use almond butter!
Nicole says
Can’t beat the classic duo of peanut butter and celery
Janet Branam says
My aunt made this fudge—MOST DELICIOUS!!!
Nicole says
It certainly is!
Royal Littler says
My favorite way to use peanut butter is when I make a cake filling with it and fill rich, dark chocolate cupcakes. Now and then, I also swirl chocolate buttercream and peanut butter frosting together. It looks so pretty and tastes fantastic! For the filling, I just thin the buttercream with a bit of whole milk and it works perfectly. 😋
Nicole says
Oh, yes, that does sound incredible
Amy Cooley says
Currently, my favorite way to use peanut butter is in a recipe I have for Crockpot Thai Peanut Chiken. It’s so yummy!
Lorraine Crighton says
My favourite use for peanut butter is in Peanut Slices – basically a peanut butter cornflakes & powdered sugar layer between 2 chocolate wafers, better still 2 layers of melted chocolate.
Nicole says
Ohhh that sounds yummy!
Sue DeVoe says
This recipe was so easy to make and really delicious! I made a second batch for a gift. I will be making this one for my next girls get together. Love all your recipes and tips!
Cindy Frazier says
Will definitely have to try your recipe! My grandson always request Peanut Butter fudge at Christmas time!
Nicole says
Christmas is such a popular time for fudge recipes. We get some of our best fudge recipe traffic around that time