4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (2024)

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Peanut Butter Fudge is made easily with only 4 simple ingredients, no candy thermometer needed! This easy fudge recipe is made with delicious and simple ingredient you can find in your pantry: peanut butter, sugar, milk and vanilla extract- that’s it!

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge is one of my favorite fudge recipes because it is so simple to make and it is always amazingly delicious. The creamy and smooth texture of this peanut butter fudge recipe reminds me of the fudge my grandma use to make.

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4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (1)

Recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge

This fudge recipe has become my go to fudge recipe due to how quickly the fudge sets, I typically do still wait a couple hours before slicing it, but it seems to be nearly complete and set after about an hour. Fudge in an hour, that’s amazing!! Also, unlike many other fudge recipes, this one does not require a ton of stirring or attention to the exact temperature of the mixture. I enjoy making this recipe with creamy peanut butter, it produces a smooth and creamy texture that is perfect. But sometimes it is fun to mix it up and use a crunchy peanut butter, who doesn’t love a little crunchy in their fudge? No matter how you choose to make this fudge the results you will achieve a nothing less than fudge perfection!

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (2)

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients

  • Sugar: You need 2 cups of graduated sugar to give this fudge the right amount of sweetness in contrast to the peanut butter flavor.
  • Milk: Using 1/2 cup milk will give this fudge a perfect texture and consistency.
  • Vanilla extract: Using 1 tsp of vanilla extract will help enhance the natural flavors in this recipe.
  • Peanut Butter: You will need 3/4 cup peanut butter, you can use creamy or chunky depending on your preference.

Peanut Butter Fudge Easy Add-Ins and Variations

Feel free to add mini chocolate chips, salted peanuts or mini M&M candies to the top of the fudge, before it’s set. Press add-ins into the fudge slightly so that they stick.

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (3)

How to make Peanut Butter Fudge

Prep

Prepare an 8X8 (or 9X9) square pan with buttered foil. To do this, cut a piece of foil that is slightly larger than the pan and then spread softened butter on the foil with a spatula or by placing your hand in a plastic bag like a glove and using your fingers to spread the butter on the foil. Press the foil into the pan, butter side up. The foil should come at least most of the way up the sides.

Making the Fudge

Next, in a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Boil for 2 1/2 minutes.

After the 2 1/2 minutes, remove the mixture from heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth.

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (4)

Set and serve

Proceed to pour the fudge mixture into prepared pan and let set for about 1-2 hours in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.

To slice, just remove the entire foil from the pan and fold the edges down flat. It is so much easier to slice and serve this way than trying to do it while it is still in the pan!

Serve and enjoy!

Do I need a thermometer for 4 ingredient peanut butter fudge?

You do not need a candy thermometer to make our easy peanut butter fudge! Just combine the sugar and milk and bring to a full, rolling boil. Set the timer and boil for 2-3 minutes and then proceed with the recipe.

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (5)
4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (6)

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (7)

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge is made easily with only 4 simple ingredients, no candy thermometer needed! This easy fudge recipe is made with delicious and simple ingredient you can find in your pantry: peanut butter, sugar, milk and vanilla extract- that's it!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: peanut butter fudge

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

cooling: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 20

Calories: 137kcal

Author:

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup peanut butter

Instructions

Prep

  • Prepare an 8X8 (or 9X9) square pan with buttered foil. To do this, cut apiece of foil that is slightly larger than the pan and then spread softened butter on the foil with a spatula or by placing your hand in a plastic bag like a glove and using your fingers to spread the butter on the foil. Press the foil into the pan, butter side up. The foil should come at least most of the way up the sides.

Making the Fudge

  • Next, in a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Boil for 2 1/2 minutes.

  • After the 2 1/2 minutes, remove the mixture from heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth.

Set and serve

  • Proceed to pour the fudge mixture into prepared pan and let set for about1-2 hours in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.

  • To slice, just remove the entire foil from the pan and fold the edges down flat. It is so much easier to slice and serve this way than trying to do it while it is still in the pan!

  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

This easy fudge recipe is made with delicious and simple ingredient, you can whip up a batch in no time and be enjoying it by dinner!

Nutrition

Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg


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4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (8)

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe FAQ

What kind of peanut butter is used in Peanut Butter Fudge?

I always make this recipe with regular creamy peanut butter and it works perfectly for achieving that smooth, fudgy texture. If you like a bit of crunch and texture, I think that crunchy peanut butter would work really well in this recipe too. Use a regular peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for best results – I have found that more natural peanut butters (the ones where the oil is separated out) usually don’t work as well in baking, most likely because they tend to be a little bit runnier.

Why is my peanut butter fudge not setting?

If your fudge isn’t setting, double check that you added the full 2 cups of sugar to the pan. Make sure you brought the fudge to a full boil before starting your 2:30 timer.

Why is my peanut butter fudge dry and crumbly?

Make sure you didn’t overcook the fudge to avoid it getting dry. The best way to avoid this is by setting a timer when you’re cooking the milk and sugar.

What ingredient makes fudge hard?

Milk and sugar boil together to make a type of candy, which, when combined with the peanut butter, cool and harden to make the fudge.

What causes peanut butter fudge to be grainy?

You can stir the sugar and milk while they are cooking to make sure all the sugar granules dissolve and avoid grainy fudge.

Why is my peanut butter fudge oily?

Oily fudge happens most often as a result of the type of peanut butter used to make it. Natural peanut butters tend to be more separated, resulting in oily fudge. I recommend using basic Jif or Skippy to make this fudge recipe.

Storing Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

Does homemade peanut butter fudge need to be refrigerated?

Peanut Butter fudge should NOT be refrigerated as it tends to dry out the fudge.

Can you freeze fudge?

Yes! Freezing fudge is easy. Just double wrap it in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then store it in an airtight container. Will stay fresh for 3 months. Thaw and cut into squares to serve.

How long is peanut butter fudge good for?

If stored in an airtight container on the countertop, fudge will stay good for about a week. It does slowly dry out, so I recommend enjoying it within 4-5 days.

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (9)

EnjoyEasy Holiday Candy recipes? Here are more we love:

  • Easy Oreo Balls
  • Buckeye Balls Candy
  • Saltine Cracker Toffee recipe
  • Tiger Butter Fudge
  • Easy Chocolate Peppermint Patties
  • Raspberry Jelly Candy
  • Easy Mint Chocolates
  • Chocolate Raspberry Sticks
  • Homemade Almond Joy Bars
  • Microwave Pumpkin Spiced Caramels
  • Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
  • Martha Washington Candy (Coconut Pecan Truffles)
  • Rolo Pretzel Turtles
4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (10)

Peanut Butter Fudge is made with only 4 ingredients and is so easy to make. This is the perfect recipe for a family get together or any holiday, try it today and see what we mean!

More favorite recipes to try:

  • Crock Pot Pork Roast
  • How to make Chicken Strips
  • How to make Fried Chicken without Buttermilk
  • White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe
  • Best Jello Recipes
  • Maple Bar Donut

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (11)

ABOUT US

I began Butter, with a Side of Bread to delve deeper into my fascination with food! I love cooking easy, delicious recipes and trying out new products. Welcome and I hope you stick around!

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  • 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (13)
  • 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (14)
  • 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (15)
  • 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (16)
4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe - Butter with a Side of Bread (2024)

FAQs

Why is my peanut butter fudge not hard? ›

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.

What is peanut butter fudge made of? ›

No candy thermometers or intensive stirring required. All you need is butter, peanut butter, a pinch of salt, vanilla, powdered sugar and about 10 minutes. It is so easy, super forgiving, and makes the BEST fudge!

What causes fudge not to harden? ›

However, homemade fudge doesn't always set up into a semi-firm, melt-in-your-mouth confection. If your fudge doesn't firm up after a few hours, you either have too high an amount of liquid to sugar, or your mixture hasn't reached the soft-ball stage. Using a candy thermometer can help home cooks avoid this problem.

Why hasn't my homemade fudge set? ›

Why is my fudge not setting? It sounds like your fudge simply wasn't heated enough. ... If it's overcooked (resulting in grainy fudge) or undercooked (resulting in poor setting) all you really need to do is add a bit of cream, reheat the fudge to the target temperature, and let it set again.

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.

Why use unsalted butter in fudge? ›

Coarse grainy fudge results when large crystals are allowed to form. Butter is added in the final stages to add flavor and smoothness and inhibit large crystal formation. Use unsalted butter so you can add a small amount of salt (¼ teaspoon per stick of butter) to the sugar/liquid mixture.

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 is Amish peanut butter made of? ›

Amish Peanut Butter is a decadent spread that is delicious on freshly baked bread, pancakes, crackers, pretzels, ice cream, apples or any other dippable snack or fruit. It's most commonly made from mixing together creamy peanut butter, marshmallow cream and Karo syrup.

Why is my peanut butter fudge grainy? ›

Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to a boil, do not stir it. If you do, the sugar can crystallize, giving your fudge a gritty texture. As you beat the fudge, pay attention to color and texture. Once the fudge loses its sheen and thickens, put down your spoon.

What makes fudge softer? ›

Undercooked. This fudge was cooked until the temperature reached only108 °C (226 °F). At this temperature, the sugar is not concentrated enough... there is too much leftover water in the syrup and the resulting fudge is soft.

How do you make fudge firmer? ›

​Harden the fudge:​ Place your container or tins in the fridge for 2 hours, which is the time it takes for the fudge to set. Once it's hardened, cut the fudge into 12 pieces or remove it from the muffin tins. Store in the fridge or the freezer (if you don't devour it right away).

Can you fix peanut butter fudge that didn't set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

How can I fix runny fudge? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

Why won't my 2 ingredient fudge set? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

How to fix dry fudge? ›

You have one option to make it soft, which is you have to put the fudge pieces in a plastic bag along with the paper towel or a bread slice. Secure the bag and leave it overnight, next day you will get a softened fudge.

What is the soft ball stage of 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.

Why is my fudge so chewy? ›

Mix Properly. Incorrect beating may make the fudge chewy. It could be because you began beating the mixture too fast (while it was still hot), resulting in hard, unappealing crystals and a chewy texture. Be sure to allow the mixture to cool completely before beating it to a sufficient length!

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