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Fudge is an easy and rich dessert, perfect to make ahead of time, and freezes well!
This no-bake Peanut Butter Fudge recipe needs only 5 ingredients and is ready in just 10 minutes, it’s pretty much fail-proof. Does it get any better than that?
This quick and easy dessert will become a family favorite in no time!
An Easy Fudge Recipe
This amazing, rich, and creamy treat is made from scratch using minimal ingredients that you likely already have on hand! To take this peanut butter fudge recipe to the next level, add mini Reese’s cups and drizzle chocolate over the top!
Ingredients
Peanut butter is the flavor and base of this recipe. Natural peanut butter (the kind that separates as it sits in the cupboard) doesn’t work as well in this recipe. You can use smooth or chunky peanut butter. Use unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt yourself.
We use powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) in this recipe as we find it incorporates best and gives a smoother fudge. Mini Peanut Butter Cups are really good in this recipe but you can swap it for any peanut butter candies you’d like. If you don’t have mini cups, chop up a larger PB cup.
A chocolate chip drizzle is optional but tastes good and makes for a pretty fudge!
How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge
This recipe comes together easily and quickly, so I recommend measuring the ingredients out before getting started. It’s smooth sailing from there!
- In a saucepan, cook peanut butter, vanilla, butter, and salt until well incorporated.
- Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar (per the recipe below).
- Add fudge to a prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and top with desired toppings.
For best results, slice the mini Reese’s cups into three and add over the fudge then drizzle with melted chocolate. Then refrigerate until set.
Delicious Topping Options
Though this easy fudge recipe is excellent on its own, you can also get creative with toppings to change it up! Here are some of our favorite toppings for peanut butter fudge.
- Salty: pretzels, sea salt
- Crunchy: peanuts, almonds, walnuts, or pecans
- Sweet: chocolate chip morsels, crushed toffee, marshmallows, melted chocolate (you can add a thin layer to the top or add swirls in the actual fudge).
Storing Peanut Butter Fudge
This easy creamy peanut butter fudge can be refrigerated or frozen, so be sure to make lots!
- Refrigerator: Keep it on hand in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to store it in an airtight container or zippered bag for the freshest flavor.
- Freezer: Even better, it will stay fresh in the freezer for 2-3 months! Perfect for having on hand when hosting parties or planning for the holidays! Just prep in advance and store in the freezer in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag.
This is the best peanut butter fudge recipe and is a keeper for sure.
More Nutty Favorites
- Peanut Butter Blossoms – favorite cookie
- Easy Peanut Butter Cookies – soft, chewy & so easy to make
- Nutella Stuffed French Toast – decadent breakfast
- Peanut Butter Parfait – make ahead
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars – a family favorite
- Nutella Rice Krispie Treats – easy to make
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – a perfect flavor combo
- Peanut Butter Cookie Cups– kids favorite
Did you try this easy Peanut Butter Fudge? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar sifted
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips melted, optional
Instructions
- Prepare an 8"x8" square baking dish by lining it with parchment paper and set aside.
- Over medium heat, combine the peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan. Cook until it's smooth, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat and with a spatula, stir in the powdered sugar.
- Spread the fudge evenly in the baking sheet and top with desired toppings. Drizzle with melted chocolate.*
- Refrigerate the fudge until it sets.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
i made these with my christmas baking this year and they were a huge hit everybody loved them!!!
So glad they were a hit, Sara! Thanks for leaving a comment
Is it better to use real melted chocolate into my dry ingredients for a chocolate cake or just coco powder ..
This recipe for fudge asks for melted chocolate chips. For a cake, it will depend on the recipe.
Can margarine be used in place of butter
Hi Robin, I wouldn’t recommend it. The margarine won’t firm up the same as the butter, so I worry the fudge would not hold its shape as well.
I’m new to baking, so I hope this isn’t a stupid question. I just made this for the second time and both times it gets lumpy looking and a lot of oil/butter comes out when I start stirring in the powder sugar. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Marissa, Are you using regular peanut butter? Natural peanut butter will not work in this recipe. Also to avoid lumps make sure to sift the powdered sugar before stirring into the mixture. Hope that helps!
So easy! So delicious! Thank you! This was my first attempt making fudge and it worked!
Easy to make and as delicious as the ones that take hours!!
I will definitely be making one of these fudge recipes for Christmas and New Years. Thank you for making it so easy.
Happy to help Darlene! Have fun baking.
What if you only have salted butter? Would that work if I didnt add the extra salt?
Yes, it may have a bit more or less salt than if you added it yourself but the recipe will still work just fine.
I’m going to make this fudge on the weekend. I plan to use Semi-Sweet chocolate chips, since that’s what we here like. I’m glad that the peanut butter isn’t the ‘chunky’ kind. I’d rather sprinkle some very finely chopped nuts on top of the fudge, rather than chewing chunks of nuts, when taking a bite of this delectable fudge.
Could this recipe also be used for Chocolate Fudge. I just made the peanut butter fudge and it looks great. Have not tasted yet. I really enjoy your recipes.
We haven’t tried this recipe as chocolate fudge, but if you do please let us know how it turns out Donna! We have a delicious chocolate peanut butter fudge you may love too!
I Have not made this yet but planning on it soon. Was wondering if when anyone melted the chocolate chips could they not just drizzle it on top and take a knife an run it back an forth to make it more like a peanut butter fudge. I had already looked at the Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge but as I recall I did not want to make it because it had too much sugar to it; like two kinds. Think that is what it was… I get enough sugar so did nit want 2 types.
I made this today, nothing short of perfect. Easy and delicious, worthy of 10 stars. I folded in a cup of mini chocolate chips before placing in the pan and I also used the Reeses chocolate drizzle. Thank you, Holly, for a great recipe.
Those additions sound delicious Lee! Thanks for sharing.