This Easy Peanut Butter Fudge is a simple recipe to make and is the perfect balance of sweet and salty. It’s soft and creamy and great for the holidays and special occasions or just because!
This fudge makes a great addition to treat tins alongside Peanut Butter Balls, Nutella Rocky Road Fudge, and Shortbread Christmas Crack for the holiday season.
One of my greatest indulgences when I was growing up was Peanut Butter Fudge. I worked at a grocery store throughout most of high school, and there was a local company that sold their confections there, and the peanut butter fudge was to die for.
Otherwise, I’ve never really been a huge fudge fan, you’ll almost never see me picking up a piece of chocolate fudge (unless you add walnuts), and I hate when fudge is crumbly.
But a fudge recipe with peanut butter – sign me up! This homemade peanut butter fudge recipe is creamy, peanut buttery perfection. It’s soft and flavorful and just melts in your mouth!
Why I Love This Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe!
This 5 Minute Peanut Butter Fudge is just what it sounds like – it takes just 5 minutes to cook and it’s incredibly easy to make too!
Unlike many fudge recipes, this recipe uses half and half instead of regular milk. This helps add to that rich flavor and creamy texture that I’ve come to love so much about peanut butter fudge!
I also make this Peanut Butter Fudge with Powdered Sugar instead of granulated sugar because you get a smoother fudge.
You don’t need any fancy equipment (other than a hand mixer) to make this delicious fudge recipe, it’s a really easy recipe, and there’s no candy thermometer required!
All of the ingredients in this recipe are likely already in your refrigerator or pantry!
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe Ingredients & Tools
Creamy Peanut Butter – You’ll want to use creamy for best results; I prefer Jif Creamy.
Vanilla Extract – I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t use imitation vanilla; pure vanilla extract (affiliate link) can add so much to a recipe!
8×8-inch Baking Pan – I recommend using one with straight sides to keep everything cohesive but any 8×8-inch pan will do.
Medium Saucepan – I personally like and recommend using a heavy non-stick pan for this recipe because it gets the job done and is a lot easier to clean.
Hand Mixer – I love my KitchenAid hand mixer (affiliate link) for quick recipes; my stand mixer is great but not always necessary, and this keeps things easy.
How To Make Peanut Butter Fudge
Prepare your pan and the powdered sugar before you start cooking so that you can move quickly through the recipe for the best results.
Melt the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan until it begins to boil. Boil for 1 minute and 45 seconds, then remove from heat.
Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla immediately until mostly smooth.
Pour the peanut butter mixture into a large bowl with the powdered sugar. Then immediately whip them together with a hand mixer until smooth. Work fast because the fudge will want to start crusting.
Quickly transfer the creamy peanut butter fudge mixture to a parchment-lined baking pan and allow it to set fully before slicing.
Tips For Making The Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
1. Do NOT use all-natural peanut butter, as it has a higher amount of oil in it and can cause the fudge to separate. However, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you’d like.
2. Grease your baking pan with cooking spray, not butter. Or line it with parchment paper so you can easily remove the whole pan of fudge.
3. Using powdered sugar over granulated sugar yields a smoother, creamier fudge.
4. If your powdered sugar is lumpy, make sure to sift it or whisk the lumps out of it before adding it to the peanut butter mixture.
5. Make sure that once the mixture comes to a boil, you boil for 1 MINUTE 45 SECONDS ONLY, no more, no less. Like no-bake cookies, this timing is important to the final texture of the fudge as we want to be able to control the water content of the mixture.
6. In follow up to the last tip, it’s possible that if you’re making this on a day when it’s raining or very humid, the water in the air can impact the final results of the fudge. Generally, it will have a harder time setting and may have a grainier texture.
7. You can mix the fudge mixture by hand when called for, but a hand mixer will help keep things quick and have a smoother end result.
8. Wait until the fudge has cooled to room temperature and fully set before slicing.
How Long Will Peanut Butter Fudge Last?
Not long because you’ll likely eat it all 😉 but if you want to make it ahead or do have some leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in a cool area.
More Delicious Peanut Butter Recipes:
- Peanut Butter Frosting
- Best Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
- Butterscotch Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
👋 Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review; I love hearing from you! And don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges and win prizes!
This post was originally published in December 2017 and has been updated with clearer instructions and new photos.
Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 5 ounces half & half
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. Tip: Use the greasy side of the butter wrapper from the butter to grease the pan before putting the parchment in to help it stick and stay in place.
- Add the powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl and set aside.3 cups powdered sugar
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Then stir in the brown sugar and milk and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, allow to sit untouched for 1 minute and 45 seconds.½ cup unsalted butter, 2 cups light brown sugar, 5 ounces half & half
- Remove from heat, then stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.1 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pour the hot peanut butter mixture into the bowl with the powdered sugar, then beat with an electric mixture until completely smooth.
- Pour into the prepared pan and spread it out quickly with a rubber spatula. Let sit until completely cooled and set.
Video
Notes
- Some readers have had issues with the fudge thickening too much after adding to the powdered sugar. You can add an additional 1 to 2 ounces of half and half to smooth it out to transfer it to the pan.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in a cool area.
- It’s possible that if you’re making this on a day when it’s raining or very humid, the water in the air can impact the final results of the fudge. Generally, it will have a harder time setting and may have a grainier texture.
- If your powdered sugar is lumpy, make sure to sift it or whisk the lumps out of it before adding to the peanut butter mixture.
- Using confectioner’s sugar over granulated sugar yields a smoother, creamier fudge.
- Do NOT use all-natural peanut butter, this has a higher amount of oil in it and can cause the fudge to separate. However, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you’d like.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Don’t forget to share it with me on Instagram @sugarandsoulco and follow on Tiktok @sugarandsoulco and Pinterest @sugarandsoulco for more!
Comments & Reviews
Nancy Hill says
This recipe is fantastic! I love peanutbutter fudge and was very pleased with the texture, flavor and simplicity of this recipe.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Definitely a favorite for the holidays!
Kasey R says
I’ve been using your recipe for years! Wont use any other one. Love it.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m so glad to hear it!
Lindsay says
What is the difference in using light or dark brown sugar and can dark brown sugar be substituted for the light brown sugar if you’re not near by a store to get light brown??
Rebecca Hubbell says
Either can be used. Dark brown sugar just has more molasses in it. So it will have a deeper flavor.
Cheryl says
Quick question… Novice cooker here… After getting the mixture to boiling, do you take it off the heat?!? Or do you let it sit and boil for 45 minutes?!? Sorry if that is a dumb question… Thank You…
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Cheryl, you boil it for 1 minute and 45 seconds according the directions then remove from heat.
Kathleen says
AMAZING! Absolutely one of the best peanut butter fudge recipes….. so smooth, FULL OF FLAVOR! ❤️ Thank you for sharing!
Theresa Farnsworth says
I was looking for a great creamy fudge recipe, and I tried yours because of the half and half, vanilla, and powdered sugar. I followed step by step, but after I added the peanut butter mixture to the powdered sugar, i never became smooth. It was crumbly. It was almost like it had too much powdered sugar. Has this ever happened that you’ve heard? :(. It tastes good, but i had to press it into the pan, not pour it as in the video.
Rebecca Hubbell says
This can happen if it slightly overlooks. You can add in some additional half & half to smooth it back out, the pour.
Sherry Denece Blakeney says
I enjoyed some peanut butter fudge at a small trading post in Silverton, CO. It was so smooth and creamy. I was hoping to find a recipe to match flavor and texture. This looks like it will fill the bill.
ELLIE says
where’s the recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge??
Rebecca Hubbell says
It’s at the bottom of the post, you would have had to scroll by it to leave a comment.
Billie says
Could u double or triple this recipe?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Billie, I’m sure you could, but I have never done it.
Ayesha says
Hi , might sound dumb but what is half half?
Rebecca Hubbell says
It is a common product in the US. It is half heavy cream and half whole milk.
Brenda L. Barton says
Made this for the girls and guys taking care of my mom at the nursing home. They loved it!! Creamy, wonderful!
Rebecca Hubbell says
What a sweet gift and I’m so glad they loved it!
Kimmerjunie says
Just made this peanut butter fudge recipe. Very easy and yummy. Will make it again!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yay, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Mary Wright says
The flavor of this peanut butter fudge is the best I have ever made.
But after I pour the peanut butter mixture over the powered sugar, mine has so much butter sitting on the top. What am I doing wrong. Please help. Would love for mine to turn out as good as yours.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Mary,
I would whip it longer and add a bit more half and half until it looks nice and creamy. Try adding it a tablespoon at a time.
Jill says
Could you use almond milk for the half and half? I can’t have dairy but this recipe looks and sounds delicious. Thank you!
Rebecca Hubbell says
You should be able to, although I’ve never tried it.
Albert Bevia says
Another amazing recipe! I am so loving your blog! filled with so many tasty recipes that are easy to make, this peanut butter fudge will a be a huge hit with my kids 🙂
Rebecca Hubbell says
Thank you, Albert!
Marie says
I’m a massive fudge fan but peanut butter fudge must be the only one I haven’t tried. I’ll definitely be giving this one a go
Rebecca Hubbell says
You must try it, if you love fudge I’m certain you’ll love this peanut butter one!
Helene says
mhm with vainlla extract. I can imagine how lovely your fudge must be smelling. Imagine them on a tray with a glass of milk before going to sleep. This gets me into christmas mood (finaly!). =)
Rebecca Hubbell says
I hope you get a chance to make it this holiday season!
Chrisy says
Peanut butter fudge is one of my all-time favs! Can’t wait to try your recipe 😀
Rebecca Hubbell says
I hope you love it!