This Easy Peanut Butter Fudge is only four ingredients and comes together in about five minutes! You need this peanut butter fudge recipe in your life.
Ooooo! It is November 1st, which means I am in FULL ON HOLIDAY mode. I love making recipes for you this time of year because holiday food is the best for sharing with people you love and creating so much merriment and joy.
I must be on a peanut butter kick since I gave you Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies on Monday (perfect for gifting!) and today we have this great Peanut Butter Fudge.
Fudge is so easy to make, but there are a few tips that make it turn out perfect. So let’s get started!
Your peanut butter fudge recipe is delicious! We added Fall colored peanut butter M & M’s along with with halved mini Reese’s cups on the top! Thank you for sharing…this recipe is a “keeper”!
Ingredients for Easy Fudge
I have so many easy fudge recipes. They are my bread and butter at the holidays. You don’t need a thermometer to make them, and they come together so fast! Here are the ingredients that make up this peanut butter fudge recipe. For the full recipe including all measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter gives the fudge an extra creamy texture and peanut butter flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Double (or triple) check your can to make sure you get sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk. They are not interchangeable and this recipe won’t work if you don’t use the correct ingredients.
- Peanut butter chips: Adds to the peanut butter flavor of the fudge.
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge
Here is a brief overview of how to make this easy fudge in both the microwave and on the stovetop. Either method is fine but you want to make sure that you remove it from the heat source before adding the peanut butter. It is too easy to overheat the peanut butter and then your fudge will be oily and unappealing. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe, including all measurements and steps.
In the Microwave
This fudge can absolutely be made just using the microwave. This is what you want to do for microwave peanut butter fudge:
- In a large microwave safe bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter chips.
- Microwave for one minute at half power. Stir the mixture a lot. More than you think you need to.
- Continue microwaving for 15 second intervals, stirring very well after each one. It will probably only need to go back in the microwave once or twice after the first interval. Do not overcook.
- Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla and pour into the prepared pan.
How to Make it On the Stovetop
I made this easy peanut butter fudge recipe on the stovetop:
- Combine the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter chips in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir consistently until the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla.
- Pour into the prepared pan.
Sweetened Condensed Milk vs. Evaporated Milk
Inevitably I will always get at least one person who tells me the recipe never set and was way too liquidy. At the same time, I have lots and lots of other people raving about it.
I have come up with the hypothesis that people are inadvertently buying evaporated milk for some of my recipes that call for sweetened condensed milk. It is an easy mistake to make. The cans are next to each other in the grocery store and look almost identical. Please be sure to buy sweetened condensed milk. Evaporated milk will cause this recipe to fail.
Lining Your Baking Dish for Fudge
It is very important to line your baking dish with something, otherwise you won’t be able to get your fudge out. I find parchment paper easier to pull off than aluminum foil and it makes fewer wrinkles in your fudge than aluminum foil. But both work!
Cut two pieces of parchment paper, each three to six inches wide. I love buying parchment paper that has lines on it for easy measurement. Lay the parchment paper one on top of the other, going in opposite directions. After your fudge is set you can easily lift it out and pull off the paper.
Cutting Peanut Butter Fudge
I was able to get 36 pieces of fudge out of this recipe. It is a rich fudge, so while the pieces you see here are on the smaller side, they are perfect. Here’s how to get 36 pieces:
- When ready to cut, remove the fudge from the parchment paper.
- Trim off just enough of the edges to make straight smooth edges.
- Cut the remaining block in half one way and then the other way so you have four large squares.
- Each square can be cut in thirds one way and then thirds the other way so that each of the squares yields 9 pieces.
Tips and Tricks
- Have everything ready before you start. This recipe comes together quickly and with lots of hands on time so it is crucial to have all of your ingredients measured and your pan lined and ready to go before starting the recipe.
- Stir, stir, stir. To prevent the fudge from burning, you need to stir it hard and often. It will continue to melt and come together as you stir. While this is an easy recipe, it isn’t one to walk away from.
Storing and Freezing Peanut Butter Fudge
This fudge can be stored, covered, on the counter for up to two weeks. It does not need to be in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze this fudge to make it last longer! Once it has fully set, transfer the fudge to a freezer safe bag or container and store in the freezer for up to three months. Allow to thaw before eating.
Other Great Fudge Recipes
As I mentioned, I love easy fudge and have many recipes for you! You can see a whole round up of them with my 25 Easy Fudge Recipes, but I’ve highlighted a few below:
- This Fireball Fudge Recipe is a viral recipe that is amazing. That cinnamon whisky flavor is a favorite!
- I am a huge fan of this Nutella Fudge recipe.
- And I love this Candy Cane Fudge for giving out at the holidays.
If you make this Easy Peanut Butter Fudge or any of my other recipes please let me know what you think by leaving a comment. I love hearing when you make my recipes.
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients
- 10 ounces peanut butter chips (see note 1)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (see note 2)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8 by 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. (I do find that parchment paper works a little better – see notes in the post for more details.) Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, melt the peanut butter chips with the sweetened condensed milk, stirring consistently. Make sure the heat is not too high and you continue to scrape the bottom of the pan to prevent burning.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and the vanilla extract.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and let set for four hours. This can be done in the refrigerator for easy cutting later or on the countertop.
- When ready to cut, remove the fudge from the parchment paper. Trim off just enough of the edges to make straight smooth edges. (Or don't! This is only for looks.) Cut the remaining block in half one way and then the other way so you have four large squares. Each square can be cut in thirds one way and then thirds the other way so that each of the squares yields 9 pieces.
- Store the fudge in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Notes
- The type of peanut butter chip you use will affect the color, but should not greatly impact the taste. Bags range in size from 10 to 12 ounces. Because of the simplicity of this recipe, you should be fine using any of the sizes in that range.
- You want to double check that you bought sweetened condensed milk. It is sold right next to evaporated milk and the packaging often looks identical. If you use evaporated milk, this recipe will absolutely not work.
SHIRLEY MATHER says
SOUNDS GREAT…THANKS FOR SHARING, AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Happy Thanksgiving Shirley!
Ruth Zirtzman says
Can you use this recipe without the peanut butter chips?
Can you use only the condensed milk, peanut butter and vanilla?
Nope, it wouldn’t get solid with those ingredients.
Sherri says
Use the milk chocolate & peanut butter mixed bag of chips for a yummy peanut butter cup tasting fudge.
Jennifer says
Could u add marshmallow creme to it?
I haven’t tried that Jennifer, it is possible you need to make some adjustments if you do.
Melissa says
Can you use just peanut butter to make me a butter fudge with a sweetened condensed milk and vanilla
I’m sorry Melissa, that wouldn’t work in this recipe. You need the chips to help the whole recipe harden. I will have to work on one for you that is made with peanut butter.
Amanda says
I will definitely be trying this recipe! I was wondering if you had any thoughts on how to go about using the screwball Peanut Butter whiskey to make a boozy peanut butter fudge?
That sounds amazing! As you play around with it, be careful with the liquid to chip ratio or the fudge won’t set.
Vicki says
How do you make chocolate peanut butter fudge for lactose intolerant guests?
I’m so sorry, Vicki! At this point, I only have this recipe with the sweetened condensed milk.
May Thompson Lehto says
The different brands of sweetened condensed milk are not exactly the same and dont react the same. America’s Test Kitchen did a testing and I believe it was Bordens that came out on top and was most consistent.
I think you are right, May! I always use Eagle’s Brand but have noticed with some other brands that the thickness pools at the bottom of the can, which can be a real problem.
Michele Vyas says
Lisa I forgot to add the peanut butter will it still set? I did use condensed milk are you spraying the paper with vegetable spray or pouring it directly onto paper ?
I am not sure what will happen without the peanut butter, as this recipe was only tested with peanut butter. I don’t spray the parchment paper first.
Martha T. Hebert says
Your peanut butter fudge recipe is delicious! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐We added Fall colored peanut butter M & M’s along with with halved mini Reese’s cups on the top! Thank you for sharing…this recipe is a “keeper”!
I’m so happy you liked it! Thank you for coming back to tell me!