Peanut Butter Fudge
Rich, creamy, and oh so peanut buttery. Peanut Butter Fudge is a delicious dessert when you are short on time or want something unique to make for your next get together.
This recipe has been a huge favorite of mine since I was a little girl. My mother would often whip it up for my brother and I after school. There were many an afternoon where I would stand in the kitchen waiting for this to be done.
I had forgotten about this recipe until recently and had to dig through my mothers cookbooks until I found it. I made some and took it over to my brothers house to surprise him. Needless to say it was just as wonderful and delicious as he remembered from his childhood.
The Best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
Calling this Peanut Butter Fudge recipe the “best” is not an exaggeration. My mother specializes in old fashioned fudges and candies (wait until you try her Orange Dreamsicle Fudge). It never fails that I will give out a care package or gift of treats and get a text or phone call asking for the recipe.
The best thing about this recipe is that it is so easy and quick to make. Unlike traditional fudge this recipe can be put together in 15 minutes.
The short cook time, and the minimal ingredients really does make this an easy fudge recipe. The hardest part is waiting for it to set up in the fridge.
And if you love peanut butter like I do than this is the perfect fudge recipe for you. And if you have only ever tried chocolate fudge then I would encourage you to branch out and give this recipe a try.
Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients
If you are a fudge lover like me than you know that the key ingredients in fudge are butter and sugar. And this peanut butter fudge recipe is no different.
Chances are that you have some if not all of these ingredients in your home. And that makes this an ideal recipe to go to when you want and need to make something sweet but are short on the time to do it.
- Peanut Butter: I prefer to use creamy peanut butter for this recipe. I have tried chunky peanut butter and it just does not taste the same. And I highly recommend a higher quality of peanut butter as opposed to a store bought brand. It seems to hold up better once cooked.
- Powdered Sugar: I have seen people make this recipe with granulated sugar but I prefer the lightness of taste and ease of use that comes with using powdered sugar.
- Salted Butter: It is my humble opinion that butter makes just about every dish better, and this recipe is no exception. I find that using salted butter helps to add to the flavor of this dish. It also helps to make this a more creamy fudge that simply melts in your mouth.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Just a teaspoon vanilla extract makes this fudge has a rich buttery flavor like you find in a Reeses Peanut Butter cup. In fact my sister-in-law who had never tried this Peanut Butter Fudge before said that it had the exact taste of a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup.
Making Peanut Butter Fudge
- In a large microwave safe bowl combine the butter and the peanut butter.
- Place the bowl with the butter and peanut butter into the microwave and heat for 2 minutes.
- Remove from microwave and stir contents.
- Return the bowl to the microwave for another 2 minutes. Keep in mind that the mixture will begin to boil and will rise to twice its size or more. Make sure that your bowl is large enough to handle the expansion of the liquid.
- If you need to stop the microwave throughout cooking to stir the liquid to prevent it from boiling over that is fine. Just stir it and then continue cooking it.
- Once the final two minutes is finished the bowl that was in the microwave will be very hot. Use pot holders to remove it from the microwave.
- Measure out 1 teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract and pour into the butter and peanut butter mixture.
- Stir the contents of the bowl together.
- Add the 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and stir until all of the powdered sugar is absorbed.
- Spray a 8×8 inch Pyrex with cooking spray.
- Place the fudge into the Pyrex and press it evenly.
- Cover the Pyrex with aluminum foil and place into the refrigerator for an hour.
- Remove from the fridge, cut, and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the secret to good fudge?
The secret to good fudge is all in the heating and cooling process. Fudge needs to be heated to a high enough heat to allow the sugar to melt and form a sugar syrup.
For this recipe the butter and peanut butter are cooked in the microwave. It boils in the microwave and forms that simple sugar syrup from the natural sugar in the peanut butter.
When it comes to cooling I prefer to place foil on top of my fudge and place it into the refrigerator to cool for a few hours prior to cutting and eating.
What Causes Peanut Butter Fudge To Not Harden?
Peanut butter fudge is a delicious treat loved by many, but sometimes it doesn’t set properly and remains soft, resulting in disappointment. To prevent this from happening, it’s crucial to understand what causes peanut butter fudge not to harden. In this article, we will explore various factors that can affect the texture of your homemade peanut butter fudge.
- Incorrect Temperature:
One common reason for peanut butter fudge failing to harden is incorrect temperature management during the cooking process. Fudge requires precise heating and cooling stages for successful crystallization. If you don’t cook the mixture at a high enough temperature or fail to cool it adequately before cutting into squares, the result may be soft and gooey fudge instead of firm and solid pieces. - Insufficient Cooking Time:
Another factor contributing to unset peanut butter fudge is insufficient cooking time. The mixture needs adequate heat exposure for sugar molecules to fully dissolve and create a stable structure upon cooling. If you remove the mixture from heat too soon before reaching the desired consistency, your fudge might remain sticky rather than firm up. - Improper Ratios of Ingredients:
The ingredient ratios in your recipe play an essential role in achieving perfect texture when making peanut butter fudge. Using too much liquid or fat relative to other ingredients can lead to softer results that won’t set properly. Be sure to measure out your ingredients correctly to avoid this.
Should I refrigerate Peanut Butter Fudge?
It is not necessary to refrigerate Peanut Butter Fudge. But lets face it. I cannot see a scenario where this peanut butter fudge lasts that long as it is just too good.
The exact answer to how to store peanut butter fudge depends on a few factors and personal preferences. Let’s explore them in more detail.
- Shelf Stability: Peanut butter fudge typically contains ingredients like sugar, condensed milk, and peanut butter that have good shelf stability at room temperature. As long as the fudge is properly sealed in an airtight container, it can safely be stored at room temperature for several days without spoiling.
- Heat Sensitivity: It’s important to note that heat can affect the texture and taste of your peanut butter fudge. If you live in a warm climate or during hot summer months, exposing the fudge to high temperatures for extended periods may cause it to become soft or even melt. In such cases, refrigerating the fudge can help maintain its shape and prevent any unwanted melting.
- Preference for Texture: Some people enjoy their peanut butter fudge chilled or cold from the refrigerator due to personal preference. Refrigeration can make the fudge firmer and give it a slightly different texture than when kept at room temperature. If you prefer your fudge with a denser and colder consistency, refrigeration might be ideal for you.
- Storage Duration: If you plan on storing your peanut butter fudge for an extended period before consuming it all, refrigeration may help prolong its freshness and prevent spoilage due to any potential microbial growth that could occur over time at room temperature.
Tips And Tricks For Making Peanut Butter Fudge
- Use a large microwave safe bowl. When the peanut butter and butter are being cooked in the microwave the mixture will rise as it cooks. You are going to want to have a bowl large enough to give the mixture room to do that.
- I have a 4 quart bowl that I use. The best thing about this set is that it comes in multiple sizes and all of the bowls nest into one another.
- When removing the bowl from the microwave use hot pads because it will be very very hot. The mixture needs to be hot to solidify the fudge and to allow the powdered sugar to melt easily in the mixture.
- Do not skip the vanilla. It helps to add a richness to this fudge that you will miss if it is not added. Using Pure Vanilla Extract provides the best taste. There is a richness and a buttery flavor to pure vanilla that imitation vanilla just does not have.
- Wait until the peanut butter and butter mixture comes out of the microwave to add the vanilla. The taste of the fudge will change if it is added before going into the microwave.
Other Recipes to Try
Peanut Butter Fudge
Equipment
- 1 Microwave Safe Bowl
- 1 8×8 Pyrex
- 1 Wooden Mixing Spoon
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Salted Butter
- 1 Cup Smooth Peanut Butter
- 1 Pound Powdered Sugar Roughly 3 1/2 cups
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- In a large microwave safe bowl combine the butter and the peanut butter. Place the bowl with the butter and peanut butter into the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and stir contents.Return the bowl to the microwave for another 2 minutes. Keep in mind that the mixture will begin to boil and will rise to twice its size or more. Make sure that your bowl is large enough to handle the expansion of the liquid. If you need to stop the microwave throughout cooking to stir the liquid to prevent it from boiling over that is fine. Just stir it and then continue cooking it.
- Once the final two minutes is finished the bowl that was in the microwave will be very hot. Use pot holders to remove it from the microwave. Measure out 1 teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract and pour into the butter and peanut butter mixture. Stir the contents of the bowl together.
- Add the 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and stir until all of the powdered sugar is absorbed.
- Spray a 8×8 inch Pyrex with cooking spray. Place the fudge into the Pyrex and press it evenly.Cover the Pyrex with aluminum foil and place into the refrigerator for an hour.Remove from the fridge, cut, and enjoy.
Leave a comment