Easy Peanut Butter Fudge (Rich & Creamy)

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Make this easy peanut butter fudge in minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. This rich, creamy fudge is bursting with the flavor of peanut butter and is begging to be added to your holiday gifting and dessert menus!

Three pieces of peanut butter fudge stacked on a white plate.

Why you’ll love this easy peanut butter fudge
How to make my peanut butter fudge
Storage
Frequently asked questions
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

I don’t know why, but the only time I really make candy is during the holiday season. I’ve got a lot of candy recipes that are family favorites, like peanut brittle and pecan caramel clusters. But the holidays are the only time when I really bust them out!

This peanut butter fudge recipe is so quick and easy to make that I might just find myself making it other times of year. It’s rich with the perfect consistency—creamy with a delicious peanut butter flavor.

It’s the perfect delicious treat to tuck into boxes with some peanut butter blossoms, homemade vanilla marshmallows or peppermint marshmallows, and peppermint bark for homemade gifts. Or add it to your holiday dessert trays! You can’t go wrong.

Squares of peanut butter fudge arranged on a piece of parchment paper.

Why you’ll love this easy peanut butter fudge

Did you know that homemade peanut butter fudge is actually totally easy to make?

Some fudge recipes, like brown sugar fudge, are a little more time consuming and labor intensive. They’re worth it, but I don’t always have the time to make them.

But this peanut butter fudge is quick to make and so easy that it doesn’t even require a candy thermometer!

But you’ll still be left with a fudge that is super rich, creamy, and bursting with peanutty flavor. If you’re a fan of peanut butter pie, peanut butter and jelly cookies, or peanut butter dip, you’re going to adore this creamy peanut butter fudge.

Two pieces of peanut butter fudge stacked on a white plate with a bite taken from the piece of fudge on the top.

How to make my peanut butter fudge

I promise you that this peanut butter fudge recipe is so easy that anyone can make it.

Ingredients you’ll need

To make this easy fudge recipe, you’ll need:

Creamy peanut butter
Unsalted butter
Fine sea salt
Pure vanilla extract
Powdered sugar

Easy peanut butter fudge ingredients arranged on a countertop.

We’re going to melt the peanut butter and butter together, so you don’t even need to worry about softening the butter. You can just grab it right from the fridge!

When you measure powdered sugar, use the same fluff, scoop, and sweep method that we use when measuring flour.

If you’re out of powdered sugar, don’t panic. Learn how to make powdered sugar from granulated sugar and cornstarch and save yourself a trip to the store.

For the full step-by-step recipe, including ingredient amounts, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

Making the fudge

Before you get started, prep your pan. Line an 8×8-inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set this aside.

Add the peanut butter, butter, and salt to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Peanut butter, butter, and salt added to a mixing bowl.

Melted peanut butter mixture in a white mixing bowl.

Depending on your microwave, this should take anywhere from 90 seconds to 2 1/2 minutes.

Stir in the vanilla. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating with an electric hand mixer on low speed after each addition.

Once all of the powdered sugar has been added, increase the mixer speed to high and beat until the fudge mixture is well combined and there are no more lumps of powdered sugar.

Sugar being added to peanut butter mixture with an electric mixer.

Peanut butter fudge mixture in a white mixing bowl.

Press the fudge mixture evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Let the peanut butter fudge chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours, or until firm. Lift the fudge out of the pan with the overhanging foil or parchment and use a large knife, pizza cutter, or dough blade to cut the fudge into 1-inch squares.

Storage

Store this easy peanut butter fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Wrap the set fudge tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil, separating any stacked layers of the fudge with a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Place the foil-wrapped fudge in a zip-top freezer bag or freezer-safe container.

Let the fudge thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before enjoying. If you need to, the fudge can thaw at room temperature, but do NOT try to thaw it in the microwave.

Squares of peanut butter fudge arranged on a white plate.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this on the stove instead of in the microwave?

Yes! Add the peanut butter, butter, and salt to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the ingredients are melted and well combined. The mixture doesn’t need to boil; it just needs to be melted and smooth.

Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the peanut butter mixture to a large bowl before adding the vanilla and powdered sugar.

I don’t have a mixer. Can I mix the sugar in by hand?

Yes. If you are adding the powdered sugar by hand, I recommend sifting it to remove any lumps first.

What kind of peanut butter do you recommend using?

I typically use good ol’ Skippy or Jif creamy peanut butter when I make this fudge. I have used “natural” peanut butter, both the kind that you need to stir and the no-stir kind, with success.

I recommend staying away from the natural peanut butter that you grind yourself in the grocery store. This peanut butter tends to be a bit too gritty for recipes like this.