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.

Why is my peanut butter fudge chewy? ›

If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

What is peanut butter fudge made of? ›

INGREDIENTS: sugar, water, brown sugar, peanut butter (roasted peanuts, dextrose, hydrogenated vegetable oil [rapeseed, cottonseed, soybean], salt), corn syrup solids, butter (cream, salt), cream powder (cream, nonfat milk solids, sodium caseinate), palm oil with soya lecithin, salt, vanillin - an artificial flavor.

What should you not do when making fudge? ›

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Candy Shop-Worthy Fudge and Caramels
  1. Using the Wrong Pan. All candy and confections start by melting sugar. ...
  2. Stirring the Sugar. ...
  3. Not Using a Candy Thermometer. ...
  4. Leaving Out the Parchment Paper Lining. ...
  5. Skipping the Cooking Spray. ...
  6. Scraping the Pot. ...
  7. Using a Cold Knife to Slice.
Dec 16, 2015

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.

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

To fix it, you can reheat the fudge mixture over low heat and continue cooking until it reaches the proper temperature. Be sure to use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. Alternatively, you can try to salvage chewy fudge by mixing it into ice cream or using it as a topping for desserts.

Why does my peanut butter fudge taste grainy? ›

– There are a number of reasons why the fudge was grainy. It might be that you haven't dissolved all the sugar before boiling the fudge mixture. It could be that there just wasn't enough fluid or fat to enable the sugar to dissolve or it might even be that the fudge wasn't beaten long enough or hard enough.

How do you fix peanut butter fudge that is too soft? ›

How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. 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.

Why is my peanut butter fudge dry and crumbly? ›

If it doesn't boil, your fudge will end up too mushy, and if it cooks for too long, you'll end up with a dry, crumbly mess. This is why many recipes recommend using a candy thermometer, so you know exactly when to remove your mixture from the heat.

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.

Can you over whisk fudge? ›

It could even be because the fudge wasn't beaten long or hard enough. If you are using an electric whisk instead of hand beating your Homemade Fudge it's important to remember that this is a very easy way to overbeat Fudge.

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 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's the difference between Russian fudge and regular fudge? ›

Golden syrup – is what makes this recipe Russian fudge-style! The added golden syrup gives that extra sweetness and silky texture. Vanilla extract – to give the taste of vanilla to the fudge.

Do you stir fudge while it is boiling? ›

Brush the sides of the pan with a wet brush at the beginning of cooking to dissolve sugar crystals stuck to the sides. Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done.

Why is my fudge crumbling when I cut it? ›

The ingredients for fudge are combined and cooked to 234 degrees, cooled to 110 degrees without stirring, then beaten until creamy. Candy that isn't cooked long enough will end up too soft; overcooking makes fudge crumbly or hard.

What gives fudge its firm texture? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

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.

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