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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
Tips for Making Fudge
- Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
- Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
- Beat Thoroughly.
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.
How long does homemade peanut butter fudge last in the refrigerator? ›
To keep peanut butter fudge fresh, store it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Allow fudge to come to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze fudge for up to 2 months.
Why does my peanut butter fudge crumble? ›
The ingredients for fudge are combined and cooked to 234 degrees, cooled to 110 degrees without stirring, then beaten until creamy. Candy that isn't cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard. High-quality fudge has many small crystals.
What makes high quality fudge? ›
You have to control two temperatures to make successful fudge: the cooking temperature AND the temperature at which the mixture cools before stirring to make it crystallize. Confectionery experiments have shown that the ideal cooking temperature for fudge is around 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).
What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›
Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.
Should I stir fudge while boiling? ›
Stir the ingredients to dissolve the sugar until the mixture comes to a boil. If your recipe uses milk, stirring will keep the mixture from curdling. But once it reaches about 236–238 degrees F/113–114 degrees C (the "soft-ball" stage), do not stir it or even shake the pan.
What makes peanut butter fudge grainy? ›
It is also important to prevent stray sugar crystals from "seeding" your mixture and bringing crystals out of your supersaturated solution prematurely and creating a grainy fudge - people usually control for this in one of three ways: by buttering the sides of the cooking pan, by briefly covering the boiling mixture so ...
How do you fix peanut butter fudge that is too soft? ›
To fix soft fudge or hard fudge, simply follow these easy steps: Scrape the fudge back into a large saucepan and add 1 1/2 cups of water. Stir the fudge over low heat until it dissolves. Carefully taste the mixture, as the water probably diluted the flavor.
How do you fix grainy peanut butter fudge? ›
If you discover that your mixture is grainy, some quick thinking will save the entire batch. Pour the fudge back into your pan, and add about a cup of water to it, along with a tablespoon or two of evaporated milk, whipping cream, or whatever cream you're using.
Yes! You can freeze this peanut butter fudge for up to three months. Wrap the fudge tightly in wax paper, then wrap it again in aluminum foil. Place the foil-wrapped fudge in a freezer-safe container or wrap it in another layer of foil.
Where is the best place to store fudge? ›
Ensure you have kept the leftover fudge in a sealable container in a cool, dark, dry place, such as kitchen drawers, cupboards, or a pantry. Fudge stored exposed at room temperature will last for a month or two but will start to show signs of hardening around the edges and a loss of its freshness.
Can you fix peanut butter fudge that didn't set? ›
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.
Why does my fudge crack when I cut it? ›
There are 2 reasons that fudge will crumble: overcooking & having an undissolved sugar crystal in the mixture. That undissolved crystal will cause the dissolved sugar to recrystalize (think rock candy).
How do you fix overcooked peanut butter fudge? ›
Grab the saucepan that you initially used to cook the fudge and toss the fudge back in along with 1 ½ cups of water and a splash of cream. Adding some cream of tartar is a helpful way to keep the sugar crystals at bay as well — it's not essential, but if you have some, definitely pour a little in.
Should you stir fudge constantly? ›
It is important to stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture starts to thicken and its surface starts to look dull or matte. Now is the time to stop beating and pour the fudge into a mould. Another tip: Do not scrape the sides of the pan or the spoon used for stirring.
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!
What does soft ball mean when making fudge? ›
making of fudge
termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.
Should fudge be soft or crumbly? ›
The best fudge is smooth and firm. If it's crumbly, it's been over cooked.