If you love peanut butter and crave a sweet treat, then Easy Peanut Butter Fudge is one of the simplest and most satisfying homemade desserts you can make. This rich, buttery fudge delivers classic peanut butter flavor with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture — all with just a handful of everyday ingredients and minimal effort.

Whether you’re preparing sweets for a holiday dessert table, gifting homemade treats, or simply satisfying a nostalgic craving for classic candy, this peanut butter fudge recipe is a timeless favorite that never disappoints. Best of all, you don’t need a candy thermometer or complicated techniques — just quality ingredients, gentle heat, and a bit of patience for chilling.

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What Is Peanut Butter Fudge?

Peanut butter fudge is a type of confection that blends the rich, nutty taste of peanut butter with sugar and butter to create soft, creamy squares of candy. Unlike traditional chocolate fudge, this version celebrates peanut butter as the star ingredient, offering a perfect balance of salty and sweet. It’s particularly popular in American kitchens, where it’s often made with simple pantry staples and shared during holidays, family gatherings, or just as an everyday indulgence.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Most classic peanut butter fudge recipes use very basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Here’s what you generally need:

• Creamy peanut butter – The base flavor and texture
• Butter – Adds richness and helps set the fudge
• Powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) – Sweetens and thickens the mixture
• Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor

Some recipes also include a pinch of salt for balance, or optional add-ins like chopped peanuts, chocolate drizzle, or sea salt on top.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a simple method to make classic peanut butter fudge at home:

1. Prepare Your Pan

Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Grease lightly with butter so the fudge won’t stick later.

2. Melt the Butter and Peanut Butter

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the peanut butter and butter. Stir until fully melted and smooth. Some home cooks prefer to do this step in the microwave, heating the peanut butter and butter together for 1–2 minutes and stirring until combined.

3. Remove from Heat & Add Flavor

Once the peanut butter and butter are melted together, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. This subtle addition really deepens the flavor of your fudge.

4. Add Powdered Sugar

Gradually sift in the powdered sugar, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth. You want all the sugar fully incorporated so there are no gritty pockets — this step ensures the classic fudge texture.

5. Press Into the Pan

Transfer the fudge mixture into your prepared pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it into an even layer. Smooth the top so the finished squares have a clean, professional look.

6. Chill Until Set

Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2–3 hours or overnight until the fudge is firm and set. As it chills, the sugar and fats solidify, creating that classic fudge texture everyone loves.

7. Slice and Enjoy

Once fully set, lift the fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into bite-sized squares using a sharp knife for clean edges. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

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Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Fudge

Here are some pro tips to elevate your fudge game:

✅ Use creamy peanut butter: Natural peanut butter with oil separation can lead to oily or crumbly fudge — creamy commercial brands work best.
✅ Line the pan carefully: Overhanging parchment paper makes it easy to lift out the fudge later.
✅ Chill thoroughly: Don’t rush the setting process — proper chilling makes slicing much easier.
✅ Add sea salt on top: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the sweet-and-salty flavor contrast.
✅ Experiment with mix-ins: Chopped peanuts, chopped Reese’s, or a chocolate drizzle all add unique textures and flavor boosters.

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Variations You Can Try

Even a basic peanut butter fudge can be customized in fun ways:

✨ Chocolate Swirl Peanut Butter Fudge: Add melted chocolate ribbons on top before chilling for a beautiful marble effect.
✨ Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Fudge: Drizzle caramel and sprinkle sea salt for a sweet-salty twist.
✨ Nutty Peanut Butter Fudge: Fold in chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for crunch.
✨ Holiday Gift Fudge: Cut into festive shapes or package in parchment paper squares as homemade gifts.

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Storage & Shelf Life

Peanut butter fudge stores beautifully:

Room Temperature: In an airtight container, fudge stays fresh for up to 1 week.
Refrigerator: Keeps for up to a month if wrapped tightly.
Freezer: Fudge can even be frozen for up to three months — thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

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Why This Recipe Is a Must-Try

This Easy Peanut Butter Fudge combines nostalgia and simplicity. It reminds many home cooks of sweets from childhood but without the complicated candy-making techniques often associated with fudge. With just a few ingredients and a bit of chilling time, you can enjoy a rich, creamy treat that’s perfect anytime — from snack time to holiday parties.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen beginner, this recipe delivers stunning results with minimal fuss. And because it’s so versatile and customizable, it’s a dessert you’ll come back to again and again.

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Final Thoughts

Homemade fudge is one of those desserts that feels special yet utterly simple. With this easy peanut butter fudge recipe, you get that rich, nostalgic candy flavor with just a few steps and everyday ingredients — no candy thermometer, no tricky techniques, just deliciousness.

Try it once, and you’ll understand why fudge is a timeless treat loved by generations.

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