Skip to Content

Heavenly Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge

This Heavenly Peanut Butter Fudge is a creamy homemade treat that is popular around the holiday seasons. This is one of the best peanut butter fudge recipes we have found. And it is so simple, we think it wins the prize.

This fudge stays silky soft with just enough chewy to satisfy. It makes the perfect food gift or addition to your holiday dessert table. Or just make it for a family treat.

We’ve included a lot of tips for making excellent fudge in this post. I suggest you read them if you’re new to fudge making. This is a very simple recipe and will give you excellent creamy peanut butter fudge with a perfectly soft texture. Just follow the recipe exactly.

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

If you’re looking for more food gifts and party treat ideas, check out our Homemade Holiday Candies, Candy Cane Cookies and Homemade Hot Cocoa mix. These recipes are all simple to prepare and make fun, personal gifts.

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge
Our Friend and contributor Brenda Grindheim is the author of this fabulous recipe.

This recipe for Homemade Peanut butter fudge is a contribution from one of our readers and fellow foodie, Brenda Grindheim.

Brenda began an email conversation with me when her craft group decided to make our Candy Coated Spoons . We have had several fun conversations about the spoons.

Brenda is an Army veteran who lives near Portland Oregon. She’s a cat lover, and food crafter. She enjoys making homemade foodie gifts for her friends and relatives. Thank you Brenda for your years of service to our country and your generous giving heart in sharing your amazing fudge recipe with us.

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge is soft, chewy and delicious

Why make a fudge recipe with peanut butter? Adding peanut butter to fudge adds delicious, nutty flavor and creamy smooth texture to the final product.

Adding peanut butter also makes fudge more delicious with that perfect pairing of the peanut butter and chocolate flavor profile that people find irresistible.

What is the Secret to Good Fudge?

The secret to good fudge is to cook it to the proper temperature and to use high-quality ingredients, such as fresh cream, butter, and chocolate. Be SURE to stir the mixture constantly while it cooks to prevent it from burning or crystallizing. After cooking, the fudge should be allowed to cool and set properly before cutting it into pieces.

As it turns out, making excellent fudge has a few other essential points…

Temperature is key in attaining the right texture for fudge.

Temperature is arguably the most important factor when making fudge.

  • The ingredients need to be at room temperature before making this recipe.
  • When the recipe is cooked proper temperature it creates a sugar syrup, then it is cooled properly and creates a soft but firm texture that forms and cuts easily while remaining soft and chewy.
  • If fudge ingredients are not cooked hot enough or long enough it won’t harden to the proper consistency. If your fudge is too runny you can put it back on the heat and slowly bring it back up to a low boil.
  • If the fudge is not cooled to the proper temperature before it sets, it may not harden properly. It is important to let the fudge cool to room temperature before cutting it into pieces.
  • Be cautious. DO NOT heat it too fast. And be sure to watch the pot as it heats and stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
  • Also, if fudge is cooked too long or hot it will lose moisture resulting in a dry and crumbly texture. A candy thermometer is an important tool to use when making fudge.

What Causes Peanut Butter Fudge Not to Harden?

The most important thing to do is read the recipe ahead of cooking the fudge and Follow the recipe instructions correctly. Fudge must be done precisely in order to have a successful result. No fudging allowed. 🙂

There are a few more reasons why peanut butter fudge may not harden properly listed below:

  • Incorrect Measurement : Fudge recipes are very precise. Incorrect measurement of ingredients often causes fudge to set Improperly.
  • Ingredient Quality: Using lower quality ingredients like old or rancid peanut butter, or using low-quality chocolate can cause the fudge to not set properly and can make it taste bad.
  • Too much Agitation: Over-stirring the fudge while it cooks can cause the sugar crystals to break down, resulting in a softer, more crumbly fudge. The trick is to stir the fudge enough to keep it from burning but not so much it is over mixed.
  • Proper Cooking Time and Heat: Fudge that is undercooked will be too soft to set, fudge that is overcooked will be too hard. Do not leave the pot. make sure you time it accurately.
Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge
The texture of good fudge is firm but soft with no crumbles.

Why is My Peanut Butter Fudge Dry and Crumbly?

If the fudge is overcooked, it can become dry and crumbly. This can happen if the heat is too high or if the fudge is cooked for too long.

Another thing. Cover your fudge as it cools so the moisture doesn’t evaporate off. This will help improve the finished texture.

Is Evaporated Milk or Condensed Milk Better For Fudge?

Both evaporated milk and condensed milk can be used in fudge recipes, but they are not interchangeable. THIS recipe calls for evaporated milk. DO NOT substitute. Here’s why.

Evaporated milk is made by removing about 60% of the water from regular milk, resulting in a thicker, creamier consistency. It is often used in recipes that call for a cooked mixture of milk and sugar, such as fudge, because it adds a rich, caramel-like flavor and can help the fudge set properly.

Condensed milk, on the other hand, is made by removing about 40% of the water from regular milk and adding a significant amount of sugar. It is sweeter than evaporated milk and can make the fudge very sweet, it is also thicker and creamier than regular milk. Condensed milk is often used in fudge recipes that do not require cooking, as the sugar content helps the fudge set without the need for additional heat.

Both evaporated milk and condensed milk can be used to make good fudge, but the recipe will vary depending on which one you choose.

If a recipe calls for evaporated milk, you should use it, if it calls for condensed milk, you should use that. They can also be used together in some recipes, but it would require adjustments in sugar and cooking time.

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge

Do you stir Fudge while it is boiling?

You do not want to stir fudge while it is boiling as this can cause the sugars to crystallize and seize up, resulting in a grainy fudge. Use a candy thermometer which will take the guessing out of the process. A candy thermometer will tell you when the sugar syrup has reached the ‘soft ball’ stage which is when you remove the mixture from heat.

The Cold Water Test: If you do not have a thermometer you can do the cold water test. Take a small amount of the sugar mixture and drop it into a glass of cold water. If the mixture floats and can be gently rolled into a small ball between your fingers it is at the soft ball stage. Done!

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge

Additional Tips: Before you begin the fudge, set the jar of peanut butter in a smaller pan of hot water. Let it sit in the hot water until needed. This makes it easier to remove from jar when ready to add to hot mixture.

Line your oiled pan with parchment over the bottom and up the sides. This gives you a very simple way to remove the fudge once it has set.

How do I store Peanut Butter Fudge?

To keep fudge fresh, store it in an airtight container in your fridge, this will keep it fresh for up to 1 week. When you are ready to serve, remove it from the fridge and allow it come up to room temperature before cutting and serving.

Fudge can also be frozen for up to 2 months. When you are ready to enjoy, move it to the fridge and allow it to thaw completely then place it on the counter to warm before cutting into it.

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge
REMEMBER: This recipe makes TWO of these pans of fudge. I cut the recipe in half and that was roughly 30 pieces of fudge.

How To Make Peanut Butter Fudge:

Follow the instructions exactly and enjoy this lovely peanut butter fudge. It’s irresistibly good.

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge Love This Easy Recipe. What A Great Foodie Gift!
Yield: 60

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe is ‘TO DIE FOR’. Give this tasty fudge as a gift, bring it to a party. Or…enjoy the velvety rich peanut butter as a personal indulgence. It will make your tastebuds happy!

Ingredients

  • 18 oz. peanut butter
  • 1/4 Cup butter (1/2 Stick)
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla
  • 12 oz. can evaporated milk
  • 5 Cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions

  1. In large heavy pan on medium heat mix 5 cups granulated sugar, salt and evaporated milk.
  2. Stir and cook till soft ball stage. This is 235 -240 degrees F on your thermometer. (I kept a glass of water by the pan and dropped the syrup occasionally into the glass until it formed a ball)
  3. Remove from burner and add the stick of butter.
  4. Scant tablespoon vanilla.
  5. And an 18 ounce jar peanut butter.
  6. Stir till fully mixed.
  7. Pour into 2 greased 8x8x2 pan or one 13 x 9 inch casserole dish lined with parchment.
  8. Cover casserole and set in fridge until thoroughly chilled and set.
  9. Cut into one inch sections

Nutrition Information

Yield

60

Serving Size

1 cube of fudge

Amount Per Serving Calories 130

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Follow Us:

We enjoy meeting you on our social networks. Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram . Tag us with your pictures of our recipes and comment on how it went for you. We would love to see what you do with them.

We often like, comment and share your posts of our recipes on our daily Instagram stories.

Ask questions and rate the recipe in the comments section below. Please share what you did with this recipe. We are always looking for more and better ways to make homemade food. Other cooks love your ideas!

Recent Posts:

Traditional Peanut Butter Fudge-Pin Image
Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe is ‘TO DIE FOR’. Give this tasty fudge as a gift, bring it to a party. Or…enjoy the velvety rich peanut butter as a personal indulgence.

Recipe contributed By Brenda Grindheim

Carrie Allen

Saturday 21st of January 2023

Hi there. Brenda talks a lot about getting it to the right temperature in order for your fudge to be the right consistency, but she never states what temperature your candy thermometer is supposed to read. That information would be helpful. Thanks so much.

Diane

Saturday 21st of January 2023

Hi Carrie, Soft ball stage is 235-240 degrees F. Thanks so much for asking. I will update the recipe. Have a wonderful weekend!

KELLY R Harrison

Saturday 14th of December 2019

My fudge stayed too soft. How can i repair it?

Kayti Lavergne

Saturday 14th of December 2019

Hi Kelly! It sounds like you didn't cook it long enough, if you read this article it has lots of great tips for trouble shooting fudge. Hope that helps! https://www.thespruceeats.com/fix-overcooked-undercooked-fudge-520861

Debbie

Monday 9th of December 2019

This sounds pretty close to the fudge I used to make from my Mom's old Better Homes and Garden's Cookbook probably from the 1940s. I think it used about 2/3 cup milk though.

Brenda Grindheim

Friday 10th of December 2021

@Diane, Hi Dianne, Brenda here, I created the recipe myself. My mom's recipe was only sugar milk and peanut butter. I believe I improved on that.

Diane

Monday 9th of December 2019

Hi Debbie, I can't say where Brenda Found her recipe. I can tell you it's delicious. :) I Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us. Have a great evening!

Joy

Friday 22nd of November 2019

Hello. I just poured this into the dish, waiting for it to set. The leftover in the cooking pot tasted yummy. Can't wait to try it when it cools. Thank you.

Diane

Friday 22nd of November 2019

Hi Joy, I hope you enjoy this fudge. We love Brenda's recipe. Let us know how it goes and enjoy your weekend.

Susie

Monday 30th of October 2017

This looks easy enough, I may try it myself. Thank you, Diane and kitty-lover, Brenda. BTW, the photos are incredible!

Diane

Monday 30th of October 2017

Ho Susie, If you make it please let us know how it goes for you. Thanks and have a great day!

Skip to Recipe