I’m not exaggerating when I say this Peanut Butter Fudge is one of the best fudges I’ve ever tasted. Rich, creamy, over-the-top fudge that is so easy to make, you might laugh.
Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge
My brother tasted this creamy fudge at my house years ago and called us the very next night for the recipe. He couldn’t stop thinking about it and needed to make it right away.
I gave him the recipe and he couldn’t believe this was all there is to it. With just four ingredients, this is one of the best peanut butter fudge recipes I’ve ever tasted, and it is also beyond simple to make.
I’ve been making this fudge recipe now for over 10 years now and it’s a solid keeper. Without fail, everyone who tastes it requests the recipe immediately.
Recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge
I was so excited to find Alton Brown’s recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge almost ten years ago and it’s become a family and friend favorite over the years.
It is an awesome way to impress someone with a gift that takes just minutes to put together. I can’t think of anyone who likes peanut butter and wouldn’t be excited to receive a box full of this during the holidays.
Put this recipe on your Christmas treat list now and skip the baking! It’s perfect to snack on while you’re wrapping gifts or for enjoying next to a crackling fireplace with the ones you love.
Peanut Butter Fudge
With all the attention we give chocolate fudge, I think the goodness of peanut butter fudge gets overlooked.
Don’t get me wrong, I love all kinds of chocolate fudge from Chocolate Almond Fudge to this Chocolate Covered Oreo Fudge and everything in between.
Peanut butter fudge brings images of childhood to mind, noses pressed up against confectionary cases, selecting the perfect square fudge to bring home.
The simple combination of sweet, creamy, and salty remains a favorite for kids and adults alike.
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
The secret to making peanut butter fudge with the right consistency is in the powdered sugar. It dissolves into the fudge smoothly without any grittiness at all.
You can melt everything in the microwave or on the stove-top. However you make it, it’s dangerously easy. Your kids are likely to start requesting this fudge regularly.
Thankfully, this is a recipe that’s easy enough for them to learn how to make on their own! Plus, with no stovetop cooking required, you can teach them to make this fudge without fear of burn accidents.
This fudge is delicious just as is but is also a great canvas for adding mix-ins and toppings as well. I layer it with my 5 Minute Chocolate Fudge recipe to create Buckeye Fudge–a treat all of us found irresistible!
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
- Combine the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in a glass bowl and melt in the microwave for 90 seconds.
- Stir to combine, it should come together very quickly and be smooth and creamy.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar a cup or so at a time. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Grease an 8-9″ pan with butter or line with parchment. Transfer the fudge mixture to the pan and press into the pan.
- Chill for at least 4 hours before cutting. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
PLEASE NOTE: The video for this recipe was made with a HALF recipe for this fudge. The recipe can easily be halved or doubled or multiplied however you like.
As pictured in the video, the fudge should be firm and almost crumbly when mixed together and pressed into the pan. It should not be liquid at all.
This simple four-ingredient recipe is made with real butter. The results can’t be guaranteed if you choose to substitute margarine or another butter alternative. The fudge might be greasy and might not even set up without the original ingredients.
How to Make Microwave Fudge
Kitchen Tip: I use these bowls and this spatula to make this recipe.
This recipe uses a microwave method for melting the ingredients together. While I’m not usually a fan of microwave cooking, nothing beats being able to melt baking ingredients to the perfect consistency in just moments.
It only takes 90 seconds of cook time to soften the peanut butter and butter to the right consistency, plus a few seconds of mixing. Add the powdered sugar to the other ingredients and mix well until the powdered sugar dissolves.
If you don’t happen to be a fan of the microwave, or don’t have one, you can easily melt the butter and peanut butter in a double boiler on the stove top.
It will just take a few minutes longer. Heat the mixture over low-medium heat and stir well to combine before adding the powdered sugar.
I love this fudge cut into 1-inch squares to make it easy to share. This fudge pairs beautifully with an ice-cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee or a mug of tea!
Easy Fudge Recipes
There are so many terrific fudge recipes that my family loves. The 5 Minute 5 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge I linked above has become everyone’s go-to recipe and it’s a favorite all year long.
I’ve used that basic recipe as the foundation for tons of different variations on chocolate fudge and it’s the one I find myself coming back to the most often.
White Chocolate Caramel Fudge has been a huge hit as well and I highly recommend you add it to your holiday baking list.
Give this Vanilla Walnut Fudge a try next time you’re in the mood for an easy fudge recipe that doesn’t use chocolate or peanut butter. Cranberry Macadamia Nut Fudge is another treat that’s perfect for the holiday season.
If you like this Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge, you might also enjoy this White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge from Real Housemoms.
I like to create gift bags or boxes with a few different kinds of fudge in them to give as gifts to friends and family throughout the holidays.
These fudge recipes are so easy to pull together that making two or three different kinds at once is a cinch. Fudge also makes a fantastic teacher or hostess gift!
Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Microwave Directions
- Combine the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in a glass bowl and melt in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir to combine, it should come together very quickly and be smooth and creamy. Slowly add the powdered sugar a cup or so at a time. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Grease an 8-9" pan with butter or line with parchment. Transfer the fudge mixture to the pan and press into the pan. Chill for at least 4 hours before cutting. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Stovetop Directions
- Combine the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in a medium-size saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir to combine, it should come together very quickly and be smooth and creamy. Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add the powdered sugar a cup or so at a time. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Grease an 8-9" pan with butter or line with parchment. Transfer the fudge mixture to the pan and press into the pan. Chill for at least 4 hours before cutting. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
{originally published 12/10/13 – notes and photos updated 10/4/22}
Linda Miller says
Awesome!!!!
Mary Clussman says
I tried this fudge, it was very good.
Sherry Plantz says
1 cup of butter is far to much. I had to use paper towels to try to get some off. Don’t know if it is going to set up or not.
Theresa says
I made this and learned the process has several stages. I will outline those now.
Stage 1: Reading the ingredients
*well this doesn’t look too hard….*
Stage 2: Reading the comments
*Oh dear….um…. well one person had success…let’s see what happens…*
Stage 3: Melting and mixing the wet ingredients
I used a pot on the stove because I’m old-school like that and I really wanted to keep an eye on what was happening. This is also when the rest of the house noticed the heavenly smell of peanut butter and started to ask questions. Given the comments, I was worried and I stalled.
Stage 4: Mixing in the powdered sugar
Ok. This didn’t concern me at first, but as I got to about two and a half cups, it started to resemble the Reese’s peanut butter filling I read about in a comment. I figured I could at least turn it into an icing or filling for cupcakes if all else failed.
It basically was the consistency of cookie dough by the end. I did sample it at this point and noted it tasted delicious so I kept going.
I pressed the fudge dough into a square pan lined with parchment and put it in the fridge to cool.
Stage 5: “Where is it…?”
This is when the inquisitive peanut-butter lover emerged and hunt for the treat he smelled. It was found and sampled long before it was ready. He identified it as fudge and as delicious so maybe this will work out….
Stage 7: The results…
It’s very, very good. As impatient as I am, I put it in the freezer for an hour and then back to the fridge after that. It set up quickly and was ready to be stolen by above-mentioned peanut-butter lover after about an hour and a half, in total.
Honestly, stick with it. Pat it down flat in your pan. It’s very sweet but it’s fudge so I expected that. I’ll definitely make it again though.
Kevin says
Adding that much powdered sugar I broke my wooden spoon that I was trying to stir it in with less than a cup at a time and then I said the help with it and went in with my hands like I was kneading dough! That worked and I cannot see any other way to get that much sugar mixed in thoroughly! Definitely use your hands! Thanks. So far it tastes delicious off of my hands!
Karen Phillips says
I’ve made it. Everyone loves it. But I can’t seem to get the consistency I want. When sitting out it’s too soft and the fudge melds together. How can I thicken it for a firmer texture?
Jenn says
Use less butter
Jo says
Can you freeze this?
Mary says
Yes, fudge freezes quite nicely!
Colleen Jones says
I made this today for a tea dance, and it was a mega hit! I doubled the vanilla and sifted the icing sugar, then I drizzled dark chocolate over the top. Really easy to make and sooooo delicious! Thanks!
Kim says
We’ve been using almost the exact same recipe in our family for years except we use margarine instead of butter. Much better in my opinion. 😊
Kelly Marie Dobrovich says
I made this for thanksgiving it was delicious. And I’d like more seeing as everyone ate it all I’m craving it. But I only have one stick of butter and one stick of margarine you think it will ok ???
Jamie says
Probably a stupid question, but is it 1 cup solid butter, or 1 cup melted?
Mary says
The measurement will be the same. This is 1 cup of butter, or 2 sticks, melted.
Linda says
The absolute BEST ❤️😁👍
Chrissi Elliott says
Love this site!!! None of my extensive cookbooks made it to new home!!! They are in storage
Jon White says
Please add me to the mailing list
Thanks,
Jon
Wanalee says
So good.
Quick to make. Simple ingredient list. Tasty!
Thanks!
Regina Henson says
I made it just like it said and it was runny
Theresa MOORE says
I made the chocolate pecan fudge. I loved it. But I got creative and I used 1 bag of peanutbutter chips and I bag of chocolate chips with the butter and sweet condensed milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla. It is delicious. Melt in your mouth.
Angie says
Something off about the measurements, I had to add at least a cup more powedered sugar to get it to right consistency but very good, no complaints, beats my stovetop recipes requiring a thermometer, this is a great recipe for quick tasty fudge!
Crystal says
Trying it and the butter separates from the peanut butter. It honestly looks like the dog had an accident.
Will out in the fridge and see if it sets. Fingers crossed.
denise comeau says
Thank you! i havent made fudge for many years-and this came out perfect! I had no problems what so ever. I lined with the parchment,no problems and in the fridge it went! It was easy and fairly quick and not alot of ingrediants to fuss with. Clean up was also easy!