If you’re looking for an easy treat to share or gift during the holidays, this peanut butter fudge is a great option. I use it every year for holiday cookie trays, bake sales, and edible gifts, and it’s always a hit with my family and friends.
What makes this fudge stand out among other recipes is that it is simple and easy to make. In fact, you only need four ingredients and less than 20 minutes of your time.
Although I have often made larger batches of fudge when the kids were growing up, I find that this smaller batch recipes gives me the exact amount that I need. This smaller batch recipe will yield about 18-24 pieces of fudge, depending on how large you cut them.
This will give me a chance to enjoy a few pieces myself and then also share with a few people. I mean, there are so many good cookies, candies and fudge to indulge in during the holidays and you don’t want to be stuck with just one kind.
And as easy as this fudge is to make, you can make it as a last minute dessert whenever you need one. It is a great recipe to pull out when guests arrive unexpected on your doorstep.
Just be sure to have the ingredients on hand. To get started, you’ll need peanut butter chips, sweetened condensed milk, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract.
The process is simple: melt the chips with sweetened condensed milk, stir in the peanut butter and vanilla, and pour the mixture into a prepared pan. Once it sets, you’ll have rich and delicious fudge ready to slice into bite-sized pieces.
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 ounces of peanut butter chips
- 7 ounces of sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup of creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Measuring everything beforehand makes the process smoother, especially since the mixture can firm up quickly once it starts cooling.
However, I would highly suggest using a digital kitchen scale to measure out the ingredients. The peanut butter fudge will set up properly when the exact measurements are used as listed above.
You can try to pour in a half of a can of sweetened condensed milk, but by weighing the ingredients you will know that you have the exact amount needed for this recipe.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EASY PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
Preparing the Pan
Start by preparing your pan because this recipe comes together very quickly. Line a small baking dish—an 8×4-inch loaf pan works perfectly with parchment paper.
This helps the fudge come out easily once it hardens. If you’re not used to working with parchment paper, here’s a simple way to do it. Cut a piece that’s wide enough to cover the bottom of the pan and extend over the sides.
Then crease the edges to fit the paper snugly into the pan. If it keeps popping out, use a little butter or non-stick cooking spray to help it stick to the surface of the pan.
Melting and Mixing
When you’re ready to make the peanut butter fudge, gather the ingredients and measure them because this recipe comes together fast. Start by placing a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the peanut butter chips and sweetened condensed milk.
Stir constantly with a silicone spatula as the chips melt. A silicone spatula works best because it can scrape the bottom and sides of the pan without sticking. This ensures the mixture heats evenly and doesn’t scorch.
Once the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth, remove the pan from the heat. Then quickly stir in the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract until fully combined. At this point, the fudge mixture will be thick, so you’ll need to work fast.
Pouring and Smoothing the Fudge
Pour the fudge mixture into your parchment-lined pan. Use the spatula to spread it evenly into the corners.
The mixture will start to firm up, so don’t worry if it’s a little stiff, it’s normal. Smooth the top as best as you can. If needed, you can use a clean, slightly damp hand to pat down any rough areas, but avoid adding too much moisture to the top of your peanut butter fudge.
Letting the Fudge Set
Now comes the hardest part – waiting. Let the fudge sit at room temperature for 2-4 hours to harden. If you’re in a hurry, you can place the pan in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
Once the fudge is firm, lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into small squares. *The fudge is very rich so small squares is the way to go!
Optional: Trimming the Edges
For a polished look, you can trim the edges of the fudge before slicing it into pieces. This step is optional, but it can make the squares look neater if you’re gifting them to a family member or friend.
Ways To Use and Store Peanut Butter Fudge
This peanut butter fudge is a favorite treat for many around the holidays. It’s rich and creamy with a strong peanut butter flavor, making it a favorite for anyone who loves peanut butter.
I’ve used this recipe for cookie exchanges and even as a last-minute gift when I didn’t have time to shop. It’s also great for bake sales because it’s easy to make double, triple or even quadruple the amount.
However please be aware of peanut allergies when gifting this to a friend or preparing it for a bake sale. Many people have peanut allergies so it is best to clarify any restrictions beforehand. If you aren’t able to make it due to an allergy, make my Chocolate Fudge recipe instead.
If you’re planning to store the fudge to enjoy at a later time, place it in an airtight container. It will keep well at room temperature for up to a week.
However you can also refrigerate or freeze it for a slightly longer shelf life. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture. If you are looking to fill up your Christmas Cookie Tray with more easy to make holiday goodies, try my Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe!
Enjoy! Mary
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Easy Peanut Butter Fudge (Small Batch)
Peanut butter fudge made with just 4 ingredients. An easy dessert recipe that takes only 10 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces peanut butter chips
- 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 6 x 4 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving the sides to overhang. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, add peanut butter chips and sweetened condensed milk. Use a silicone spatula to stir constantly until the peanut butter chips melt, being sure that you scrape the bottom of the pot as you stir.
- Remove the pan from the heat source and add the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract. Stir until well incorporated.
- Pour the mixture into the parchment lined baking dish. Cover and let it sit to harden. Depending on the heat and humidity in your house this could take anywhere from 2-4 hours. Or place the covered dish in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Once hard, carefully lift up on the edges of the parchment paper and remove the fudge from the baking dish. Cut into bite size pieces.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For a uniform look, trim off the edges to make a straight cut line.
- Fudge can be frozen for up to 3 months with wax paper placed between each layer for easy removal.
Recipe provide by iCookfortwo.com
Nutrition Information
Yield 18 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 132Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 5mgSodium 73mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 1gSugar 12gProtein 4g
Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.