Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

My Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe for Beginners

• 5 ingredients, 5 minutes. Gather 5 ingredients from your pantry and prepare your fudge in the microwave in 5 minutes or less.
• Smooth and creamy. The sugary, creamy texture of classic peanut butter fudge just melts in your mouth. There’s nothing quite like it!
• A favorite holiday dessert. This no-bake peanut butter fudge is a standout treat on Christmas dessert tables and cookie platters, and it makes a great edible gift.
• Make it ahead. Peanut butter fudge is wonderful to make ahead and freeze. I include storage tips later in the post.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I make my microwaveable peanut butter fudge recipe without condensed milk. Instead, I use butter for richness and powdered sugar for structure. There are 5 ingredients in total, which I’ve included here. Scroll to the recipe card for the printable ingredients list with amounts and recipe details.

• Creamy Peanut Butter – Any shelf-stable brand of peanut butter you prefer. JIF and Skippy are great options.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted. Make a note to adjust any additional salt as needed. 
• Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract if you can. This adds a lovely depth of flavor to the fudge.
• Salt – If you’re using salted butter, I recommend reducing the added salt or leaving it out altogether.
• Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioner’s sugar. For extra smooth fudge, you can sift your powdered sugar before you start (however, for this recipe, it’s optional).

The Best Type of Peanut Butter for Fudge Recipes

The best choice of peanut butter for this recipe is shelf-stable, creamy peanut butter. Avoid natural peanut butters when making fudge, as the oils tend to separate, and your peanut butter fudge won’t set up properly.

How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge (Microwave Method)

Even if you’ve never made fudge before, I created this recipe with beginner home cooks in mind. Peanut butter fudge is one of the easiest desserts to master, and you can do it all with a microwave-safe bowl in your microwave. Afterward, I press my fudge into an 8×8-inch pan. It works in a 9×9-inch pan, too, though your squares will be thinner.

1. Melt the peanut butter. First, microwave the peanut butter and butter together in a bowl covered loosely in plastic wrap. Heat on full power for 2 minutes, stir with a wooden spoon, and then microwave the mixture for another 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir again.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. Add the vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar. Continue stirring until the powdered sugar is fully combined. You should have a thick mixture that’s free of any lumps. 
3. Transfer to a pan to chill. Lastly, gently press the fudge mixture in an even layer inside a parchment-lined 8×8 pan. Then, cover the fudge with parchment paper or cling wrap, and pop it into the fridge. Chill the fudge for at least 2 hours, or until set, before cutting it into 1-inch pieces.

Why Stir Fudge With a Wooden Spoon?

Stirring peanut butter fudge with a wooden spoon or spatula is not just for old times’ sake. The wood actually helps prevent the sugars from crystallizing. This is because metal spoons can draw heat away from the fudge, creating cold spots where the sugar separates and becomes grainy. Make sure to use wood!

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Fudge

• Use the right peanut butter. As with most peanut butter desserts, you’ll have the most consistent results if you make your homemade peanut butter fudge with creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter (see the Ingredients section above). Avoid natural peanut butter, the kind you need to stir.
• Make sure to measure the butter and peanut butter correctly. Peanut butter fudge recipes rely on fats and moisture for a smooth, creamy texture. If there isn’t enough fat (i.e., butter) in the mixture, your fudge can turn out dry and crumbly.
• Avoid oily fudge. If the top of the peanut butter fudge appears oily, it could be due to overheating the peanut butter and butter mixture. Some microwaves run hotter than others! While there isn’t an immediate fix for oily fudge (apart from patting away some of the oil with a paper towel before serving), take note to adjust the cooking time in your microwave for next time.
• Different pan sizes. As mentioned, if you don’t have an 8×8-inch pan, you can make your fudge in a 9×9 square pan or any size you have available. Just note that the size of your pan will affect the thickness of your fudge.

What Else Can I Add to My Homemade Fudge?

Any of the add-in ideas below can be stirred into the fudge while it’s warm from the microwave, before you press it into your pan.

• Chocolate peanut butter fudge. Stir semi-sweet chocolate chips into the warm fudge mixture. Leave it slightly undermixed to make peanut butter fudge with a chocolate swirl!
• Crunchy peanut butter fudge. Use crunchy peanut butter, or add in crushed peanuts. You could also add another nut, like pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
• Reese’s peanut butter cups. Add Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Mini Reese’s Cups.
• Marshmallows. Fold mini marshmallows into the warm fudge or swirl in marshmallow creme.

How to Store

• Store at room temperature. This homemade peanut butter fudge lasts up to 7 days at room temperature. Store the fudge in an airtight container to keep it from drying out. You can refrigerate your fudge if you prefer, but let it come to room temperature again before serving.
• Freeze. To freeze peanut butter fudge for later, wrap the chilled fudge in cling wrap or store it in a freezer bag. To prevent sticking, separate any layers with parchment paper. Fudge can stay frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it at room temperature.

More No-Bake Desserts

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
• Holiday Rum Balls
• Turtles Candy
• Puppy Chow
• Malted Milk Fudge