Peanut Butter Fudge (Microwave Recipe, 4 Ingredients!) (2024)

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Only 4 ingredients and 4 minutes to make this wonderful peanut butter fudge. Doesn't get better than that!

Indulging in a sweet treat doesn't have to involve complex steps and hours in the kitchen. Our easy peanut butter fudge recipe is a testament to simplicity and deliciousness. Discover why we adore this fuss-free creation, perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings or surprising loved ones with a delightful homemade gift.

Peanut Butter Fudge (Microwave Recipe, 4 Ingredients!) (1)

Ingredients

The beauty of this Easy Peanut Butter Fudge lies in its uncomplicated yet flavorful ingredients. A mere four components come together to create a symphony of taste and texture. Let's take a closer look at what makes this recipe so effortlessly delicious.

  • Unsalted butter - serves as the rich and creamy base of the fudge. It provides a smooth texture and a subtle, buttery flavor without the risk of the fudge becoming overly salty.
  • Creamy peanut butter - is the star of the show, responsible for the flavor and achieving that melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
  • Vanilla extract - adds depth and enhances the overall flavor profile of the fudge.
  • Powdered sugar - the sweetening agent and also contributes to the fudge's texture. The powdered sugar combines seamlessly with the other ingredients, creating a sweet and decadent "dough" that sets the foundation for the fudge.

Instructions

Bypass the complexities of traditional fudge-making with our straightforward instructions. Even if you're a novice in the kitchen, you'll be amazed at how effortlessly this peanut butter fudge comes together. Follow these simple steps, and you'll soon be relishing in the delight of your own homemade masterpiece.

  1. Butter the pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Microwave a heavenly blend of butter and peanut butter.
  3. Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar for a smooth, delectable dough.
  4. Spread the mixture into the pan, refrigerate, and cut into tempting cubes.

Peanut Butter Fudge (Microwave Recipe, 4 Ingredients!) (2)

Storage Tips for Your Peanut Butter Fudge

While the temptation to devour this delightful creation might be strong, knowing how to store it properly ensures lasting freshness. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you're in a warm climate, you may need to store in the fridge.

Gifting Peanut Butter Fudge

Personalizing peanut butter fudge for gifting is a wonderful idea. Here are some creative ways to add a personal touch:

  • Packaging: Use decorative boxes, jars, or cellophane bags to present the fudge beautifully.
  • Add-ins: Customize the fudge by folding in extras like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even chocolate chips to create unique flavor combinations.
  • Decorate: Drizzle melted chocolate on top, sprinkle crushed nuts, or dust with cocoa powder for an extra visual appeal.
  • Gift Tags: Attach personalized gift tags with a handwritten note or the recipe, sharing the joy of your homemade creation.

Can I Freeze Peanut Butter Fudge?

Yes, you can freeze peanut butter fudge for longer storage. To do so:

  1. Wrap Well: Ensure the fudge is well-wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
  2. Airtight Container: Place the wrapped fudge in an airtight container for added protection.
  3. Label: Clearly label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
  4. Thawing: When ready to enjoy, allow the fudge to thaw in the refrigerator to maintain its texture.

Note that freezing may slightly alter the texture, so consider freezing smaller portions for easier thawing and consumption.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

While you can use salted butter, it's recommended to stick with unsalted butter in this peanut butter fudge recipe. Using unsalted butter allows you better control over the overall saltiness of the fudge. If you opt for salted butter, expect a saltier tasting fudge.

Made this Recipe?

Leave a star rating and tag me on Instagram @seededtable so I can see. I love hearing from you!

This recipe was originally published December 2011 and updated December 2023 with optimized photos and new recipe tips.

Recipe Card

Peanut Butter Fudge (Microwave Recipe, 4 Ingredients!) (3)

Print Recipe

4.43 from 7 votes

Peanut Butter Fudge

Only 4 ingredients and 4 minutes to make this wonderful peanut butter fudge. Doesn't get better than that!

Prep Time6 minutes mins

Cook Time4 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Candy, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy peanut butter fudge, microwave peanut butter fudge

Servings: 64 1-inch pieces

Calories: 77kcal

Author: Nikki Gladd

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter , plus additional for greasing pan
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 lb powdered sugar (or about 3 ¾ cups), unsifted

Instructions

  • Butter the bottom and sides of an 8- x 8-inch pan, and then line the bottom and sides of the pan with a sheet of parchment paper. (The butter helps the paper stick to the pan.) Lightly butter the top of the parchment paper, as well.

  • Combine the 1 cup butter and peanut butter in a large microwave safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap and microwave on full power for 2 minutes. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave, uncover and stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Recover and microwave on full power for an additional 2 minutes.

  • Remove the bowl from the microwave. Carefully stir in the vanilla and powdered sugar until evenly combined. The mixture may become a little crumbly at first, but continue to stir until the ingredients are smooth and a nice "dough" forms.

  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer, pushing to fill the corners. Place an additional square piece of parchment paper directly on the surface of the fudge and use your hands to smooth the top.

  • Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Once chilled, transfer fudge to a cutting board by lifting the sides of the parchment paper. Use a large knife to cut into 1-inch cubes.

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Notes

Be careful when measuring the powdered sugar. 1 lb (or 16 oz) of powdered sugar is equal to 3 ¾ to 4 cups. Do not think in terms of liquid measurement where 16 ounces equals only 2 cups.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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Peanut Butter Fudge (Microwave Recipe, 4 Ingredients!) (4)

About Seeded At The Table

Thanks for visiting! We’re the Gladd family! We love donuts, Disney, LEGO and Jesus. Not in that order, of course. 🙂 Ben shares DIY wood-working projects and Nikki shares delicious recipes. You’ll also find a sprinkling of travel adventures and other family fun ideas!

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Peanut Butter Fudge (Microwave Recipe, 4 Ingredients!) (2024)

FAQs

Why won t my microwave fudge set? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

Why did my peanut butter fudge not get hard? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

How to microwave peanut butter? ›

First, you'll need to get your paws on a microwave-safe bowl and a great spoon for stirring. Once you've scooped your peanut butter into the bowl, microwave it for 30 seconds, give it a good stir, and pop it in for another 30 seconds. Repeat this process until it's the desired texture.

Why is my fudge so soft in the microwave? ›

there is too much leftover water in the syrup and the resulting fudge is soft. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 15 to 30 ml (1 or 2 tbsp.) of 35% cream and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely melted.

How do you fix failed fudge? ›

The solution? A fudge do-over. Even though it set up properly, I threw it back into a saucepan with about 1 1/2 cups of water and gently heated the mixture to dissolve the fudge into the water. From there, I pretty much re-did the whole cooking process.

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

What thickens fudge? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

What makes fudge softer? ›

If there is too much evaporation, when the cooking time is too long, there will not be enough water left in the fudge and it will be too hard. Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft.

Can you fix peanut butter fudge that didn't set? ›

To fix it, you can reheat the fudge mixture over low heat and continue cooking until it reaches the proper temperature. Be sure to use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. Alternatively, you can try to salvage chewy fudge by mixing it into ice cream or using it as a topping for desserts.

Why is my peanut butter fudge gooey? ›

If the humidity was too high, it would come out sticky and gooey and there was nothing you could do about it.

Why is my peanut butter fudge chewy? ›

If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

What happens to peanut butter in the microwave? ›

Peanut butter can spark in the microwave due to the high oil content and the presence of small particles of peanuts or salt. These particles can act as tiny conductors of electricity, creating arcing, or sparks, when they are heated.

Can I put a jar of peanut butter in the microwave? ›

Microwave the jar on a 50% power setting for 45 seconds. Peanut butter is a peanut oil based product. It will melt and you can pour it out of the jar.

Can I just melt peanut butter in the microwave? ›

Place the peanut butter in the microwave, and heat it for 30 seconds. Once the 30 seconds is up, stir the peanut butter to makes sure it's melting evenly. Place the peanut butter back in the microwave for another 30 seconds, and stir again. This will probably take a few rounds to get to your desired consistency.

Can you reboil fudge that hasn't set? ›

Don't panic if your fudge is grainy, nothing is lost it just requires some more work. Pop the grainy fudge back into the pan along with some water and a little cream and melt the fudge back down to a liquid and re-boil it to temperature.

Why is my fudge mixture not thickening? ›

If the fudge is very soft and slightly chewy then it is possible that it did not quite cook to soft ball stage and next time the mixture should be cooked to a slightly higher temperature (soft ball is 112-116c/235-240F and a sugar or candy thermometer can help).

How do you fix crystallized fudge? ›

Pour the fudge back into your pan, and add about a cup of water to it, along with a tablespoon or two of evaporated milk, whipping cream, or whatever cream you're using. Some people skip the water and just add cream to the mixture to reheat.

Can you put fudge in the freezer to set? ›

We call it freezer fudge because the freezer helps it set quick so you can eat it quicker. We like to cut it into squares and keep it in the freezer for when you need a little chocolate fix.

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