Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

This easy Peanut Butter Fudge is topped with salted peanuts and drizzled with warm chocolate for the crowning touch. It’s far too delicious to make only at the holidays, although it will make a delicious addition to your holiday treats and Christmas sweets. You can also make this easy fudge recipe for homemade gift giving for friends, family and neighbors year-round.

Ingredients to Make Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

Like many of you, fudge is a holiday tradition at our house. This creamy peanut butter fudge is a must make. Hands down. For years, I made simple peanut butter fudge with no complaints. Just to add a little sweet and salty taste, I started adding salted peanuts to the top along with a drizzle of warm chocolate. This recipe works perfectly when enjoyed as a classic peanut butter fudge, or topped with all of the extras for the holiday season. Either way, you can’t lose with the creamy texture and peanut butter flavor. Ingredients to make easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Peanut Butter – Use a quality creamy peanut butter.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness. (Not confectioners’ sugar)
• Marshmallows – Miniature marshmallows binds the fudge and helps it set-up.
• Liquid – Evaporated milk helps thin the sugar and peanut butter mixture.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted butter.
• Salt – to balance the sweetness.
• Flavoring – One teaspoon vanilla extract adds creamy floral notes.
• Nuts – Salted cocktail peanuts roughly chopped for texture and garnishing.
• Chocolate Drizzle – Semi sweet chocolate chips and heavy cream.

How to Make the Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

• Prepare Dish – Butter a square 8×8-dish or 9×9-inch baking pan or baking dish liberally with softened butter and set aside.
• Melt Butter – Melt the butter, granulated sugar and evaporated milk in a large pot. (Powdered sugar won’t work in this recipe.)
• Set the Microwave Timer for 7 Minutes – Bring to a boil then lower the heat and allow to continue to boil on medium-low for 7 minutes stirring constantly until soft ball stage.
• Marshmallows and Peanut Butter– After 7 minutes add the marshmallows, once cup peanut butter, salt and vanilla. Remove from the heat and stir to combine.
• Transfer to Pan – Pour peanut butter mixture into the prepared pan and quickly smooth the top with the back of the spoon or an offset spatula.
• Garnish with Chopped Peanuts – Sprinkle the chopped peanuts on top.
• Cool – Let the fudge cool completely on the counter or in the fridge.
• Melt Chocolate – Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with heavy cream in the a microwave-safe bowl until smooth and thin enough to drizzle. 
• Slice Fudge – Cut fudge into squares, then drizzle top of the fudge with melted chocolate. Refrigerate until  chocolate hardens. 

Tips for Making Peanut Butter Fudge

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: 3 or 4 quart heavy bottomed saucepan or large pot, measuring cups and spoons, 8×8-inch square pan or baking dish, nut chopper or sharp knife and chopping board, heat safe rubber silicone spatula or wooden spoon for stirring and small microwave safe bowl.
• Line the Pan with Foil: You may opt to line the pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil leaving an overhang to make it easier to remove after cooling.
• Watch the Time: This peanut butter fudge is like old fashioned seven minute fudge in that, you watch the time it cooks rather than use a candy thermometer. If you have a kitchen timer you can use it or set the timer on your microwave for accuracy. A few seconds either way won’t make a huge difference.
• Use Quality Peanut Butter: Use a quality peanut butter to make this chocolate drizzled fudge. I use Jif peanut butter for this recipe.
• Creamy or Chunky Peanut Butter: I recommend using creamy peanut butter for this recipe. The addition of chopped peanuts will add texture.
• Work Quickly: It’s important when making fudge to work quickly as it sets up almost immediately. Have nearby a glass of boiling hot water to dip an offset spatula into if needed, to spread it smoothly. Dry it off with a lint free cloth and the heat will help spread until the fudge is even in the pan.
• Let the Fudge Sit at Room Temperature: If you place this fudge into the refrigerator to set and harden, allow it to sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to cut into squares.
• When to Serve: Peanut butter fudge is popular around Christmas for holiday trays and homemade gift giving. There’s no reason you can’t enjoy it as a treat for Easter, summer picnics and potluck parties.

Recipe Variations

• Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge with Granulated Sugar: You could adapt this fudge recipe and make it in the microwave. It’s made with granulated sugar so you’ll have to use a candy thermometer to make certain it melts properly so it will set. You’ll need to cook in 1-2 minute intervals stopping to stir each time. You’ll need to test the fudge with a candy thermometer repeating the process until it reaches softball stage 235-240°F on a candy thermometer. It’s a trickier process, but it can be done. When in doubt, follow the recipe for stovetop peanut butter fudge.
• Chocolate: The chocolate drizzle is optional and you can omit it, if you prefer. You can also use dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips to drizzle the top of the fudge.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store Peanut Butter Fudge chilled in an airtight container at room temperature or chilled in the fridge for up to one week.
• Freezer: Can you freeze fudge? Yes, you can fudge freezes well! Cool the fudge completely then package in an airtight container. Store frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator prior to serving.

More Homemade Fudge Recipes to Make

Fudge should be a part of your handheld desserts menu year-round. For more inspiration you may like to try these recipes, too.

• Brown Sugar Walnut Fudge is rich and buttery in flavor.
• No campfire S’mores Fudge is topped with toasted mini marshmallows.
• Easy Chocolate Mint Fudge has a two tone color that makes it so pretty.
• These fudge-like Peanut Butter Mallow Bars are a personal favorite.
• You can whip-up a batch of chocolate Microwave Fudge in no time flat.
• Chocolate Fudge Bars are a cross between fudge and a cookie bar.
• Peanut Butter Candy from Mom on Timeout.

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• Saucepan
• Candy Thermometer
• 8×8-inch Pan
• Mixing Bowls