Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

This easy Peanut Butter Fudge is rich, creamy, and packed with delicious peanut butter flavor. With its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture and simple preparation, this classic homemade candy is perfect for Christmas, holiday cookie trays, parties, gifting, or whenever you’re craving a sweet peanut butter treat.

You don’t want to make difficult recipes though that are time-consuming so this is a great simple treat to make. Also try our Easy Oreo Pumpkin Pie Spice Fudge, so good! And for a popular cookie, ours is the Best Ever Fruitcake Cookie. 

Homemade gifts are also always appreciated, so I love making up some chocolates and other confections besides cookies for the holidays. So many people look forward to my treat boxes each year.

Besides chocolate walnut fudge, peanut butter fudge is my favorite made with either creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter. Sooooo good!! This fudge has turned out perfectly every time I have made it. 

Why I Love This Recipe

• Absolute favorite homemade candy
• Peanut butter lover
• Easy to make
• Great for gifts
• Perfect for a year round treat

This fudge is smooth and creamy and melts in your mouth from the butter and peanut butter mixture. This brings back such fond childhood memories. I remember distinctively making peanut butter fudge many times in our kitchen with my girlfriend. 

Another peanut butter favorite of mine for the holidays are these very easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls, fluffy and light centers that are rich and creamy and dunked in really good chocolate.

What Ingredients are needed for Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients

Fudge

Creamy peanut butter – To get that chunkiness we add peanuts.
Butter – The butter doesn’t need to be softened as it melts with the peanut butter.
Powdered sugar – This makes the fudge sweeter and thicker.
Peanuts These are optional whole or chopped but are a nice addition.
Salt – Always need salt to highlight the other ingredients.
Vanilla extract – This is a standard in most baking.

Whipped PB Frosting (optional)

Creamy peanut butter – You have to have creamy so that you can pipe it.
Powdered sugar – Again for sweetness and to thicken.
Heavy whipping cream – This adds creaminess and make it pipeable.
Vanilla extract – Adds that great vanilla flavor.

How To Make Peanut Butter Fudge?

Line a 8 x 8 square pan with parchment paper.

In a medium size saucepan add peanut butter and the butter. Cook over low heat to a gentle boil.

Stir in 1 cup at a time of powdered sugar. Make sure to whisk it really well after each additional cup added.

Remove from heat, stir in the salt and vanilla.

Add the peanuts (optional).

Spread mixture into prepared pan and cover with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.

If you plan to make peanut butter whipped frosting to garnish the top, now is a good time to make it. In a medium size bowl add the powdered sugar and peanut butter. Using a hand mixer, whip together and gradually add the heavy cream. Beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla. Set aside for garnishing.

Remove the fudge from the refrigerator and cut into desired size squares. I used a sharp knife and tape measure to score where I wanted to cut. I cut 1 ½” squares for this 8×8 pan.

Fill a piping bag and tip with the whipped peanut butter frosting and garnish on top of each piece of fudge, Top with a peanut!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes. Crunchy peanut butter is a great option if you want extra peanut pieces and texture throughout the fudge.

Can I use natural peanut butter?
Natural peanut butter can separate and has a different consistency, conventional creamy peanut butter generally gives more predictable results.

How far ahead can I make peanut butter fudge?
Fudge is an excellent make-ahead candy. You can prepare it several days before serving or freeze it for longer storage.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, because this recipe is not a traditional fudge that needs to be cooked you can easily double this recipe.

Recipe Pro Tips

Helpful Tips

● If you prefer, you can spread the peanut butter frosting on top of the brownies, rather than garnish them individually with piped frosting.
● When cutting this fudge, use a sharp knife and wipe with a warm cloth after each cut for clean edges.
● Smooth and easy to pour peanut butter is best for this recipe.
● For an extra smooth texture you can sift your powdered sugar to remove any clumps that may be present,
● For best results, use a “no stir” peanut butter as the oil in some natural brands can separate.

Storage

● Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-3 weeks. For longer term storage, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. For an even longer shelf life, store in the freezer, properly packaged for up to 3 months.

Bring some of this to the office on the last day of work before the holidays or to a holiday party and have everyone raving. Your fudge will be a memorable event for the holidays.

This old-style fudge is a classic candy and like I said one that has been around forever and a treat that I have made for decades.

Pin it HERE!!

Pin it HERE!!

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

Tara Noland

Rich, creamy, and loaded with peanut butter flavor, this Peanut Butter Fudge is an irresistible homemade candy. Cut it into bite-sized squares for holiday dessert trays, parties, or homemade gifts.

4.78 from 9 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Additional Time – Cooling Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 25 squares

Calories 251 kcal

Ingredients

 

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup butter softened
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup peanuts optional whole or chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Whipped PB Frosting (optional)

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 5-6 tbsp heavy whipping cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Line a 8 x 8 square pan with parchment paper.
• In a medium size saucepan add peanut butter and the butter. Cook over low heat to a gentle boil.
• Remove from heat, stir in the salt and vanilla.
• Stir in 1 cup at a time of powdered sugar. Make sure to whisk it really well after each additional cup added.
• Add the peanuts (optional).
• Spread mixture into prepared pan and cover with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
• If you plan to make peanut butter whipped frosting to garnish the top, now is a good time to make it.
• In a medium size bowl add the powdered sugar and peanut butter. Using a hand mixer, whip together and gradually add the heavy cream. Beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla. Set aside for garnishing.
• Remove the fudge from the refrigerator and cut into desired size squares. I used a sharp knife and tape measure to score where I wanted to cut. I cut 1 ½” squares for this 8×8 pan.
• Fill a piping bag and tip with the whipped peanut butter frosting and garnish on top of each piece of fudge, Top with a peanut!

Equipment

8 x 8-Inch Baking Pan with lid, Square Cake Brownie Baking Pans Stainless Steel Bakeware Set of 2

5x5x2 24PCS Christmas Treat Boxes,Window,Food Grade,White Cardboard

Dark Bamboo Wooden Spoons for Cooking 6-Piece

Notes

See the post for more information, photos and tips. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 251kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 173mgPotassium: 115mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 271IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!