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Peanut Butter Fudge
Whip up this simple and delicious peanut butter fudge in the microwave with only a handful of ingredients!
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This tasty Peanut Butter fudge is so easy to make; all you need is a microwave! This delightfully creamy fudge is made with just a handful of ingredients, leaving you with an easy treat filled with the taste of rich peanut butter. Then, top it with chocolate M&Ms for even more delectable flavor!
Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter
- 1½ cups of creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 3¼ cups of powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon of water
- red and green M&M’s
Substitutions and Additions
PEANUT BUTTER: Any type of smooth peanut butter works well in this recipe. However, the brand will slightly affect the color of the fudge. We tested four different brands (JIF, Peter Pan, Skippy, and Reese’s) and found that Peter Pan produced a darker color, JIF was the lightest, and Reese’s produced a slight orange hue, but the consistency of the fudge is the same. The fudge made with Peter Pan was also slightly sweeter, and the fudge made with JIF was slightly saltier.
VANILLA EXTRACT: If you don’t have vanilla extract on hand, you can substitute two teaspoons of maple syrup instead.
POWDERED SUGAR: Powdered sugar is also called confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar. We recommend using powdered sugar, but in a pinch, you can use six cups of granulated sugar instead.
M&M’s: These are optional, but we love how colorful they make this tasty fudge look. You can also use other toppings like chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, peanut butter chips, or other small candies. You can also use different colored M&Ms for different holidays and events.
How to Make This Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
STEP ONE: Begin by cutting out two pieces of parchment paper. Cut one big enough to line an 8 x 8-inch square baking pan with enough overhang to lift the fudge out of the dish. Cut the second piece into an 8 x 8-inch square to sit on top of the fudge.
STEP TWO: Next, add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the 8 x 8-inch square pan, then line the pan with the larger piece of parchment paper, ensuring the excess parchment hangs over the sides of the pan. Set aside.
STEP THREE: In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, add the unsalted butter and peanut butter, and heat in the microwave for 60 seconds. Stir to combine.
PRO TIP: Microwave strength varies, so the microwave time may need to be adjusted.
STEP FOUR: Add the vanilla extract and stir again.
STEP FIVE: Then, slowly add one cup of powdered sugar at a time while stirring. The mixture will thicken. Continue to stir until completely combined with no lumps or white streaks.
PRO TIP: Scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
PRO TIP: Sift the powdered sugar to ensure it’s smooth and clump-free.
STEP SIX: Pour the fudge mixture into the baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
STEP SEVEN: Place the smaller piece of parchment paper on top of the fudge to help smooth it out. Leave the parchment on top and place the fudge in the refrigerator to chill for two hours.
STEP EIGHT: After chilling, remove the fudge from the refrigerator. Remove the top piece of parchment paper, then use a sharp knife to score the fudge into pieces, but don’t cut the fudge until you’ve removed it from the pan.
STEP NINE: Lift the fudge from the pan using the overhanging parchment paper and place it on a cutting board.
STEP TEN: Warm a large, sharp knife under hot water to cut the fudge. Dry it, then slice the fudge following the score lines you made in Step Eight.
STEP ELEVEN: Once the pieces are cut, place 2-3 red and green M&M’s on the top of each piece for decoration.
How To Serve
Serve this simple microwave fudge recipe for dessert, with afternoon coffee and tea, or any time you’re craving something sweet!
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: Store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one week or on the counter for up to three days. If you need to stack pieces of fudge, place a piece of wax paper between each layer, so they don’t stick.
IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, wrap each piece of fudge in foil, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer for up to three months.
Rich and creamy, this simple microwave peanut butter fudge is the ultimate treat! Delightfully sweet and so easy to make, this recipe is a perfect way to have an irresistible dessert on the table with little effort.
FAQ:
Q? Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?
A: We don’t recommend using natural peanut butter because it won’t give you that wonderfully smooth texture you want in this recipe.
Q? What other toppings can I put on the fudge?
A: There are lots of delicious toppings you can put on this fudge, like chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, mini marshmallows, or flaked coconut.
Q? Why didn’t my fudge set?
A: If your fudge didn’t set, it probably didn’t get hot enough in the microwave. Next time you make it, add more time to your microwave. In the meantime, enjoy the unset fudge over ice cream or dip apple slices into it. It’ll still be delicious!
Peanut Butter Fudge
Whip up this simple and delicious peanut butter fudge in the microwave with only a handful of ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3¼ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- red and green M&M’s optional garnish
Instructions
- Cut out two pieces of parchment paper. One should be big enough to line an 8×8 baking dish with enough overhang to lift the fudge out of the dish. The other should be just the right size to sit on top of the fudge.
- Add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the baking dish and line the pan with the larger piece of parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, add the unsalted butter and the creamy peanut butter. Heat in the microwave for 60 seconds and then stir. Add the vanilla extract and stir again.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, whilst stirring. Continue to stir until completely combined with no lumps or white streaks.
- Pour the fudge mixture into the baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Place the smaller piece of parchment paper on top of the fudge to help smooth the top. Leave it in place and put the fudge in the refrigerator to chill for two hours.
- Remove the fudge from the refrigerator. Remove the top piece of parchment paper. Using a sharp kitchen knife, pre-score the size and number of the serving pieces of fudge, but do not cut the fudge until you remove it from the pan.
- Using the over-hang pieces of paper, lift out the fudge, and place it on a cutting board.
- Warm a large, sharp knife under hot water. Dry it and slice the fudge.
- Once the pieces are cut, place 2 to 3 red and green M&M’s on the top of the fudge for decoration.
Notes
Any commercial brand of peanut butter will work for this recipe, although you may find that the brand you choose will affect the color of your fudge slightly. We tested four different brands (JIF, Peter Pan, Skippy, and Reese’s) and found that Peter Pan produced a darker color, JIF was the lightest, and Reese’s had a slight orange hue, but the fudge consistency was the same. The Peter Pan brand was also slightly sweeter, while the JIF was just a bit saltier. Overall, any brand will give you delicious fudge!
Sifting the powdered sugar before mixing it in will help ensure that you have a very smooth fudge.
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