Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
This easy peanut butter fudge recipe is made in just 5 minutes with only 4 simple ingredients! Creamy, rich, and so peanut buttery!
This is the best peanut butter fudge recipe out there! If you’ve got a peanut butter lover in your life, you’ve gotta make this for them! Just like my peanut butter pie, peanut butter bars, and peanut butter cookies, the peanut flavor is off the charts and it’s super-simple to make. A quick & easy add to your Christmas baking list!
Hello my friend!
How is your Christmas prep coming along? Have you got your baking list together yet?
I think I am all scheduled out for the month and I’m so excited because this year I’m making it a priority to keep all the recipes as easy and quick as can be. (With the possible exception of one showstopper, but you’ll have to stay tuned for that!)
I mean why not, right? This time of year can be so hectic, we should make it easy on ourselves so that we can really be present for our loved ones and enjoy the magic of the season.
This easy peanut butter fudge recipe is a great way to do just that. It whips up in just 5 minutes (can you even?)! And you only need 4 ingredients!
And the taste is pure peanut butter heaven. Silky smooth, sweet, and melt in your mouth delicious.
It’s a perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray, and it makes a great homemade gift too.
Let’s do this!
WHAT IS PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
Peanut butter fudge is a sweet, nutty, and creamy confection made with peanut butter (of course!). It gets pressed into a pan, and then once it’s cooled it can be cut into little cubes. It’s quite rich, so a little goes a long way!
There are lots of different ways to make it, but this one right here has got to be the easiest. It all happens in one mixing bowl, and it’s done in 5 minutes flat.
HOW TO MAKE MICROWAVE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
This peanut butter fudge recipe can be mixed by hand or with an electric mixer. For the pics you see here, I stirred it by hand, but I think I would prefer the mixer method.
Start by placing the peanut butter, butter, and salt in a bowl and covering it with a paper towel. Then microwave it at 100% power for 2 minutes.
When it comes out of the microwave you will see that the butter is melted but it’s separate from the peanut butter. Grab a whisk and stir them together until smooth, pop the cover back on and nuke it for another 2 minutes.
Now you’ll see the mixture is bubbling.
Stir in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time.
The more powdered sugar you add, the stiffer this mixture will become. By the time you’ve added it all in, it will be VERY stiff and almost the consistency of a very thick cookie dough.
(This is the part where I like to use my stand mixer. It’s powerful enough to mix everything together so smoothly and evenly, with practically zero effort.)
But if you don’t have one, this can be done with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. And your arm will get a nice workout!
Transfer the fudge to a greased and lined 8×8 pan, and press it into an even layer. Be sure to work quickly, while it’s still warm! Once it sets up, the fudge will be very difficult to work with.
Sprinkle a handful of chopped peanuts on top, if you like! If not, just leave them off.
Once the fudge has cooled completely and set up, cut it into little 1-inch squares and enjoy!
CAN THIS BE MADE ON THE STOVETOP?
If you don’t have or prefer not to use a microwave, this 4-ingredient peanut butter fudge can be made in a pot on the stove.
Once the peanut butter/butter/salt mixture has come to a boil, remove it from the heat, stir in the powdered sugar, and continue with the remaining steps of the recipe.
CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE OR CRUNCHY?
For what you see here, I used creamy peanut butter because I love that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture that you get. But you could totally use crunchy peanut butter too!
I would however recommend staying away from natural peanut butter. It tends to be very oily and I’m not sure you’d get quite the same result with that type of product.
IS THIS GLUTEN-FREE?
If you are looking for a gluten-free option, you are 100% in the clear with this recipe! There is not one iota of wheat gluten in this peanut butter fudge!
HOW TO STORE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
This candy will be fine at room temperature, for around a week or so.
And it will keep in the refrigerator for about a month.
Either way, just be sure to wrap it up tightly so it doesn’t dry out.
CAN YOU FREEZE IT?
Peanut butter fudge can be frozen as well. Wrap it tightly and it will last in the freezer for several months.
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Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (387 g) peanut butter*
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, (2 sticks)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, (use up to 2 teaspoons if you like it sweet & salty)
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
- chopped peanuts, (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Lightly mist an 8x8-inch pan with non-stick spray, and line with parchment.
- Place the peanut butter, butter, and salt in a large mixing bowl, cover it with a paper towel, and microwave on 100% power for 2 minutes.
- Stir the mixture until smooth, re-cover, and microwave for another 2 minutes.
- Beat in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until the fudge is smooth and all the sugar is fully incorporated (it will be very stiff).
- Working quickly while the fudge is still warm, transfer it to the prepared pan, pressing it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if using.
- Allow to fully cool and set up, then cut into 1-inch squares.
Can I make this on the stove top. I don’t own a microwaveÂ
Yes, I would think that would work!
Will send this recipe to my stepmother to make. I am going to do peanut candy and cookies for my grandaughter’s valentime Birthday Party on February 14, 2022..
Sounds great! Happy Birthday to your granddaughter!
Amazing awesome