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Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

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This is the BEST Peanut Butter Fudge! It’s soft, creamy, and full of peanut butter goodness. It’s easy to make and perfect for the holidays!

the best Peanut Butter Fudge, piled high on a white plate and garnished with peanuts

It’s Monday, we’re officially in mid-December, and it definitely feels like winter around here. And while I don’t mind the cold and a little snow around the holidays, come January, it better be gone! But that’s definitely wishful thinking on my part.

Since I live in the Midwest, we’re in for another “polar vortex” winter again. If you had negative temperatures last year and lots of snow, then you know what I’m talking about!

And guess what? This winter is supposed to be even worse! In fact, I heard that we’re supposed to have the coldest winter in Illinois since 1904. Craziness! Which means that I want to move somewhere warm…asap!

So to help  you beat the start-of-the-week and the cold weather blahs (Friday better hurry up!), I’ve got a delicious treat to share with you today! This Easy Peanut Butter Fudge is the first of three fudge recipes that I will be featuring this week.

Did you know that there are several different ways to make fudge? Some recipes call for sweetened condensed milk, some call for marshmallow crème, and others call for heavy cream.

So because I’m sharing three of my favorite fudge creations with you this week, I will showcase three different ways to prepare this indulgent treat. Sound good?

overhead view of a pile of homemade Peanut Butter Fudge

If you’re a fudge lover like me, then you know how rich and decadent those squares can be. And while a lot of decadent fudges are filled with chocolate, I’ve got an even better one for you. This homemade Peanut Butter Fudge is soft, creamy, and full of peanut butter goodness, with no chocolate needed!

But not to worry, the fudge I’ll share on Wednesday will be loaded with some for all of you chocolate lovers out there!

What I love most about this homemade Peanut Butter Fudge (besides being a breeze to prepare) is how smooth and creamy it tastes. Different from other fudges, it takes basic ingredients to create this tasty candy  With no candy thermometer needed, you’ll have this whipped up in no time.

And it also makes a perfect dessert for the holidays. I make this fudge every Christmas and it’s always hit!

 So if you’re looking for a new holiday sweet treat to bake this season, try out this Easy Peanut Butter Fudge. Rich, full of flavor, and so creamy, this will please peanut butter and fudge lovers everywhere!

close up of homemade Peanut Butter Fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients 

Since the ingredients are simple, I can almost guarantee that you have everything that you need in your kitchen right now.

  • Light brown sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Milk
  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Vanilla bean paste (or extract)
  • Powdered sugar

How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge 

The name just about says it all. It’s the easiest Peanut Butter Fudge and takes just 15 minutes of prep time, with minimal work involved. The hardest part is waiting for the fudge to chill so that you can dive right into it!

  1. In a large bowl, add powdered sugar and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in brown sugar and milk.
  3. Bring to a boil and then continue to boil for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
  5. Pour peanut butter mixture over powdered sugar. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with a fitted paddle attachment, beat until smooth.
  6. Pour into an 8×8-inch baking dish and refrigerate until firm.

the best Peanut Butter Fudge cut into squares and piled on a white plate

How Long Does Peanut Butter Fudge Last? 

Homemade fudge will keep refrigerated for up to four days.

Can You Freeze Homemade Fudge? 

Yes! Wrap each square of fudge in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge. 

Can I Add Mix-Ins? 

I usually make plain peanut butter fudge, but I bet you could add mix-ins, if desired. Roasted peanuts, chocolate chips, walnuts, or butterscotch chips would all be delicious additions! 

Peanut Butter Fudge piled high on a white plate.

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Fudge 

  • Use a creamy peanut butter for this recipe otherwise the texture won’t be right. 
  • I recommend using a peanut butter from a brand like Skippy. Natural peanut butters tend to separate in baked goods. 
  • Garnish your peanut butter fudge squares with roasted salted peanuts or holiday sprinkles to make them extra cute! 

Looking for more easy fudge recipes? I’ve got you covered!

Peanut Butter Fudge
Print Pin

Best Peanut Butter Fudge

This is the BEST Peanut Butter Fudge! It's soft, creamy, and full of peanut butter goodness. It's easy to make and perfect for the holidays!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword christmas recipe, fudge recipe, holiday dessert, holiday recipe, peanut butter recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 20 squares
Calories 274.88kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup milk (any kind)
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Spray an 8x8-inch baking pan very lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, add powdered sugar and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and then continue to boil for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Pour peanut butter mixture over powdered sugar. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with a fitted paddle attachment, beat until smooth.
  • Pour into prepared baking pan and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Remove from refrigerator and cut into squares.

Notes

Fudge will keep refrigerated for up to four days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 274.88kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.51g | Protein: 3.5g | Fat: 11.3g | Saturated Fat: 4.38g | Cholesterol: 12.81mg | Sodium: 68.98mg | Potassium: 121.03mg | Fiber: 0.77g | Sugar: 40.6g | Vitamin A: 151.7IU | Calcium: 32.06mg | Iron: 0.41mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

{Photos updated 10/2020}

By Gayle |

Comments

  1. Jessie says

    I adore fudge during the holiday season. My old neighbor used to make the best pb fudge for everyone on the street for a little Christmas present. It was actually something I looked forward too each year! Thanks for sharing your take 🙂

    Reply

  2. Mir says

    Fudge 3 ways! Girl, I dig it! And I love the brown sugar. There’s brown sugar in my fudge today, too! Great minds…
    Can’t wait to see the rest of fudge week!

    Reply

  3. Laura says

    Hi Gayle, I love how you collaborated to create this recipe. My “assignment” on the holidays is usually to bring the peanut butter pie! But this year, I should surprise them all and bring peanut butter fudge and throw them for a loop. It’s more like Christmas as well! Thanks for sharing. Have a great week! Going to check out Mir’s site now =)

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Peanut butter pie sounds delicious, Laura! You’ll have to share your recipe sometime! And this fudge is so good, I definitely need to make it more than once a year. Thanks for the kind words, friend!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks so much for the fudge love and pin, Arpita! This is one of my favorite Christmas treats to make. I hope you love this fudge if you try it!

      Reply

  5. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    Oh man. I am definitely not ready for the cold weather. This is my first winter back in New England after living on the West Coast for 7 years and I’m all ready finding out that I’m ill prepared AND now a total wimp. Ahhh! Great looking fudge, Gayle. I’ll just take it all, please!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I bet the New England weather is a big adjustment for you, Liz! The weather actually hasn’t been too bad the past few days…we’ve been lucky so far! Thanks for the kind words, friend!

      Reply

  7. Linda @ Veganosity says

    This couldn’t be any easier, and it looks amazing! This weekend was delightful in the Chicago area in terms of temperature. Yesterday it was almost 60°!!! Although, that scares me because it makes me wonder what January will bring.

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I know, Linda! We’ve had some good weather over the past few days, but I think January is one the brutal temps will hit. Thanks for the fudge love!

      Reply

  8. Mira says

    I love homemade fudge and usually make it around the holidays! Never made it with brown sugar, but is sounds delicious! Great idea to collaborate with Mir, so we can see some awesome fudge recipes.
    Winter-yeah, it will be terrible around here. It is time to move somewhere nice and warm 🙂

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I’m definitely ready to move somewhere warm, Mira! We’ve been lucky with the not-so cold temps so far, let’s hope it stays that way! Thanks for the kind words! The brown sugar in here makes this extra flavorful!

      Reply

  9. Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says

    I’m basically obsessed with all things peanut butter, so you had me at the outset! I love a good PB fudge! I have noticed the different ways to make fudge, and I’m still deciding which ‘base’ I like best, so I’ll be following along to see your thoughts as you try them out too!

    I also heard that this winter is supposed to be even worse than last winter! My family is in Erie, PA and their winter last year was horrendous! I have no right to complain, and I’m not complaining, but we even felt it here in FL last year! It was an inordinately cold winter here too. Again, not complaining. 😉 Stay warm up there, Gayle!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Peanut butter fudge definitely cures my cravings, Sarah! And I need to make it more than once a year, too…it’s just so addicting! I’m hoping the weathermen (and farmers’ almanac) are wrong and the weather won’t be TOO bad this year. Although I’m sure that won’t happen!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Dannii! We haven’t had too much freezing cold weather yet, so that’s good! And cashew butter sounds like it would be wonderful in this recipe! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  16. Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says

    Those peanut butter fudges look delicious! And I’m also dreading the cold… I guess my Brazilian self will never get used to this cold. It wasn’t so bad here in NYC when I first moved here, but it’s getting worse with time.

    Reply

  19. Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze says

    Gayle, come visit me in California. Its cold but I am sure not as cold as you. I think its 67 today and sunny. 🙂 This fudge looks great! What’s funny is I thought there was only one way to make fudge until I started playing around with it myself. Pinned!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I am so jealous that you live in California, Cyndi! I’m trying to convince my husband to move there, one of my favorite states! 🙂 Thanks so much for the kind words and pin, Cyndi!

      Reply

  20. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says

    Oh my gosh, this looks so creamy and melt in your mouth amazing, Gayle!! I am a sucker for fudge and peanut butter fudge sounds super irresistible and I love the festive sprinkles! Yay for fudge week, can’t wait to see the rest 🙂

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks so much for the sweet compliments, Kelly! Peanut butter fudge is definitely a nice change from the chocolate kind!

      Reply

  21. marcie says

    I’m a wuss in the cold, and I could not hang in the midwest. My idea of really cold is in the 40’s! This fudge looks so delicious, and I love the peanut butter addition!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I hate the cold too, although today it’s in the upper 40s, so I can’t complain too much! Thanks for the fudge love, Marcie!

      Reply

  22. Cailee says

    Doesn’t this look amazing!! …and if you make it every year it’s gotta be as good as it looks! YUM! …can I just say that I also LOVE that you added Christmas sprinkles! Way to get in the festive spirit!!

    Reply

  23. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says

    Can you believe that I’ve never made fudge before?! I’m not sure why, I like it when I have it! I need to try making it. This peanut butter version looks amazing! Also, I feel your pain with the cold winter coming, I heard we’re supposed to have the coldest winter ever in Alberta too, although right now it’s pretty warm so we’ll see! I’m hoping that little forecast is wrong!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I feel your pain, Stacey! Brutal winters are the worst! This is such an easy fudge recipe to make…practically fail-proof! The ones that require candy thermometers don’t work well for me at all! 🙂

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks for the fudge love and pin, Kristine! I’m all about easy recipes with simple ingredients, and this fudge definitely fits the bill!

      Reply

  25. Renee@Two in the Kitchen says

    Can you believe that I never made fudge before?? This peanut butter fudge looks heavenly!! Oh and living in Illinois myself, I have to say that I don’t believe that this winter could possibly be worse than last winter. I refuse to believe it. And just by the fact that it is raining today and not snowing is making me happy. Here’s to hoping that all the reports are wrong!!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I totally agree, Renee! How could we possibly have a winter that is worse than last year?! Thanks for the fudge love, Renee!

      Reply

  26. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    I was in Tahoe this weekend, and it was in the 30’s and I felt FROZEN! I just can’t deal with that much cold. I’m too much of a whimp. Happy to be home where it is only in the 50’s or 60’s. Hope you survive the cold winter! Sending warm thoughts your way. And this peanut butter fudge sounds delicious! Love how easy it is.

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks for the warm thoughts, Natalie! It isn’t too bad here right now, so I hope it stays that way! And thanks for the fudge compliments, too!

      Reply

  27. Ashley says

    haha oh the polar vortex – I hear it’s going to be a bad winter by us too!

    I’ll just have to make fudge to console myself with 🙂 This looks delicious!

    Reply

  28. Connie @ Sprig and Flours says

    I currently live in Boston and will be flying to the midwest (Kansas) for the holidays because my boyfriend’s family is there. I can’t wait to visit them…but polar vortex!? Born and raised in California, I am allergic to the cold. They love peanut butter and fudge. Perhaps I can use this treat to lure them to a warmer spot for the holidays (: Your recipe looks awesome. Leverage or not, I will definitely make some as gifts this year!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Isn’t the cold terrible? I’m trying to convince my husband to move somewhere warm asap! 🙂 Thanks so much for the kind words, Connie! I hope you love this fudge if you try it!

      Reply

  33. Annie @Maebells says

    Here in TN our summers are unbearably humid but luckily (most) winters are mild. I haven’t even gotten a coat out this year! I have a friend in Chicago and she talks about how miserable it can be. I don’t think I could handle it! I do love this fudge though!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Oh wow, you’re so lucky you haven’t had to wear a coat yet! It’s not too bad here right now, but I’m afraid of what January might bring!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      I do love using sweetened condensed milk in fudge, Helen! But this one is great because it doesn’t use your standard fudge ingredients. Thanks so much for the kind words and pin!

      Reply

  36. Kelly @ Trial and Eater says

    Wow, my mouth is watering already! I have had trouble with fudge making in the past but yours look so good (and peanut butter-y!) that I may have to test the “easy” name you gave it 🙂 Looks like a great holiday gift too!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Kelly! This fudge is practically fail-proof and doesn’t require a candy thermometer, which I love! I hope you like this fudge if you try it!

      Reply

  40. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    Well you don’t want to move where I am! I feel like every winter that they forecast the ‘coldest in decades’ or whatever it is, it never is quite that bad. Hopefully this year is the same for you! This peanut butter fudge is calling my name. I love peanut butter and I love fudge, why have I never had them together? Looks amazing!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I sure hope so, Denise! I don’t think I could survive another brutal winter like last one! Thanks so much for the fudge love! It’s my new favorite!

      Reply

  41. Isadora says

    Ok, now I feel bad because I was complaining about how cold it was today and I think it was in the 50s, lol! I’m not sure my body could survive a polar vortext right now! I do know that my body would love to eat some of this peanut butter fudge though!

    Reply

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