- Use sweetened condensed milk as the no-cook shortcut to achieve smooth, never-grainy peanut butter fudge.
- Prep everything (lined pan, measured ingredients, chopped add-ins) before starting; fudge sets very quickly.
- Stir and scrape constantly in a heavy-bottomed pot to avoid scorching and burnt milk flavor.
- Use commercial, stabilized peanut butter (not natural) to prevent separation, greasiness, and poor setting.
There are few desserts as satisfying as perfectly creamy fudge. And when that rich, sugary goodness meets salty, nutty peanut butter? You have pure magic. My favorite peanut butter fudge recipe is the easiest way to achieve that iconic confectionary texture without spending hours stirring over a hot stove or worrying about tricky sugar stages. This peanut butter fudge comes together in mere minutes, making it the perfect treat for impromptu cravings, holiday cookie trays, or last-minute edible gifts. It sets beautifully and holds its shape, slicing into perfectly satisfying squares every time.
Table of contents
Get Ahead of the Game
Fudge sets quickly once the final ingredients are mixed. Therefore, all your prep work must be done before you start the cooking process.
- Line Your Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, ensuring the lining overhangs the sides. This “sling” makes lifting the set fudge out incredibly easy.
- Measure Everything: Measure your vanilla, peanut butter, and powdered sugar into separate bowls. You will need to add these very quickly, so having them ready is crucial.
- Chop Your Add-Ins: If you plan on adding pretzels, chopped peanuts, or chocolate chips, have them chopped and ready to fold in at the last moment.
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe Card
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
36
servings5
minutes5
minutes150
kcalThis easy, no-bake peanut butter fudge recipe yields smooth, creamy, and decadent squares that set perfectly every time, no candy thermometer required!
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Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups granulated white sugar
1 cup creamy commercial peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3.5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Directions
- Prep the Pan and Ingredients Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Measure all ingredients and place them near the stove.
- Heat the Base In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, sweetened condensed milk, and granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom, until the butter is melted and the mixture just reaches a low boil.
- Boil Gently Continue to boil the mixture gently for exactly 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not stop stirring. This ensures the sugar dissolves completely. Remove the pan immediately from the heat.
- Incorporate the Peanut Butter Quickly stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until completely smooth and melted.
- Add Final Powdered Sugar Immediately add the sifted powdered sugar all at once. Stir vigorously and quickly until the mixture thickens significantly and is smooth. You must work very fast!
- Set and Slice Scrape the thick fudge into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Let the peanut butter fudge cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or until fully set. Lift the fudge out using the parchment sling and slice into squares.
Notes
- Do Not Double: For best results, do not double this recipe. The large volume of ingredients makes it hard to boil and set properly. Make two separate batches instead.
- Storage: Store the set peanut butter fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Troubleshooting: If your fudge looks oily, keep stirring! It usually means the peanut butter needs more time to incorporate the fat back into the sugar base.
Nutrition Facts
- Fat: 7g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 3g
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The No-Cook Secret
Traditional fudge relies on precise temperature control to create microscopic sugar crystals, which is frankly a lot of fuss. This recipe is superior because it uses a shortcut based on marshmallow fluff or sweetened condensed milk, which stabilizes the mixture and prevents graininess.
We are specifically using sweetened condensed milk, which contains highly concentrated milk sugars. When mixed with the butter and peanut butter, it creates an incredibly smooth, stable emulsion. The resulting peanut butter fudge is rich, creamy, and guaranteed never to be crumbly or dry.
This simplified approach allows for easy customization:
- Vegan/Dairy-Free: You can use a dairy-free sweetened condensed milk substitute (often made with coconut or oat milk) and vegan butter.
- Nut-Free: This base recipe works just as well with sunflower seed butter or almond butter, creating equally creamy results.
Chef’s Secrets for Creamy Fudge
Fudge seems simple, but getting that velvety smooth texture requires speed and precision.
- Scrape Constantly: While heating the butter and sweetened condensed milk, stir and scrape the bottom of the pan continuously. This prevents scorching, which gives the peanut butter fudge a burnt flavor.
- Use the Right Peanut Butter: Use commercial-style, stabilized peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy). Natural, oil-separated peanut butter will make the fudge greasy and often results in separation.
- Work Fast: Once you remove the mixture from the heat and add the peanut butter, it will begin to set immediately. You must stir in the vanilla and powdered sugar quickly and decisively.
- Use a Heavy-Bottomed Pot: A thick, heavy-bottomed saucepan distributes heat evenly, minimizing the risk of burning the milk solids at the bottom.
Gifting and Storing
Peanut butter fudge is an ideal gift. It can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerated for up to 3 weeks. For clean slices, chill the fudge completely, then use a large, sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry before each cut.
Creative Fudge Spins
Buckeye Swirl Fudge This is the ultimate combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Once the peanut butter fudge is pressed into the prepared pan, pour 0.5 cup of melted dark chocolate (mixed with a teaspoon of coconut oil for fluidity) over the top. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the chocolate into the peanut butter base, creating a beautiful marbled pattern reminiscent of the classic Buckeye candy.
Salty Pretzel Crunch Fudge For an incredible textural contrast, fold in 1 cup of coarsely crushed salty pretzels right before pressing the fudge into the pan. The saltiness of the pretzels provides a fantastic foil to the sweetness of the peanut butter fudge, while the crunch prevents the texture from being monotone.
Bourbon Vanilla Fudge To give your peanut butter fudge a sophisticated, deep flavor, substitute the vanilla extract with a teaspoon of high-quality bourbon or whiskey. The barrel notes of the alcohol enhance the roasted flavor of the peanut butter beautifully. This is a grown-up twist perfect for holiday parties.
If you love simple, no-bake treats, you must try my recipe for chocolate fudge next.
Common Questions Answered
Graininess occurs because the sugar crystals did not dissolve completely before the mixture cooled. In traditional recipes, this is due to not boiling long enough. In this shortcut recipe, it is typically caused by not stirring constantly during the boiling stage, allowing sugar crystals to stick to the bottom of the pan.
No, I strongly advise against it. Natural peanut butter separates easily. The high amount of unstable oil will result in greasy, crumbly peanut butter fudge that does not set correctly. Use commercial, stabilized peanut butter for guaranteed results.
This means the sugar and condensed milk mixture scorched on the bottom of the pan. You must use a heavy-bottomed saucepan and scrape the bottom constantly during the heating and boiling stage.
While you can melt the ingredients in the microwave, controlling the gentle boiling stage is very difficult. Boiling on the stovetop is essential for dissolving the sugar and ensuring the final fudge sets firmly.
Final Slice
This peanut butter fudge recipe is pure magic, a simple, rewarding dessert that delivers complex, comforting flavor with minimal effort. It is proof that you do not need a candy thermometer or hours in the kitchen to create a perfect confection. The buttery, nutty, creamy squares are irresistible and make the perfect holiday gift.
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