Peanut Butter Fudge is an incredibly quick and easy recipe to put together. Use crunchy peanut butter, because when the bits of peanuts hit the hot sugar and milk, it caramelizes the peanuts and gives a wonderful flavor. You can also opt for smooth just as well. Which is what I usually have on hand, and you can toss in crushed peanuts right before adding the peanut butter and vanilla if you want. The Fudge by itself is Sugar & Milk combined and cooked for 2 minutes and 30 seconds over Medium-High Heat. The Peanut Butter with Vanilla is then mixed in really quickly and poured into a tray to cool down. Careful, this stuff gets really hot.
You can also top the Fudge with Chocolate Chips for a Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge. It can also be poured over a layer of cooked Peanut Butter Cookie dough for a Peanut Butter Fudge Cookie. This can further be elevated with a layer of Chocolate added on top, for a Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bar.
Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients
Sugar, Milk, Peanut Butter, Vanilla.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge: You will need the addition of Semi sweet Chocolate Chips.
- Peanut Butter Fudge Cookies: You will need a 1/2 portion of the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars: You will need the addition of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips & 1/2 portion of Peanut Butter Cookie Dough.
Milk & Sugar
The Milk & Sugar are first combined and heated to create the caramel base. This is brought to a simmer over max heat, before reducing the heat a bit and simmering for 2 minutes and 30 seconds while whisking.
Peanut Butter & Vanilla
The Peanut Butter & Vanilla is combined and added after the Caramel is ready. It is quickly mixed in and poured out to cool. Which will happen pretty quick, so you have to work fast.
- Crushed Peanuts can also be tossed into the caramel, right before adding the Peanut Butter & Vanilla to Caramelize.
- A bit of Graham Crumbs can be added to the Peanut Butter & Vanilla mix too for those grainy bits. About 1 Tbl or so.
Fudge Consistency
The Fudge consistency can vary depending on the heat and length of time cooking. While 20–30 seconds may not seem long, it is the difference between a soft or firm fudge.
- Softer Fudge: Cook for a few seconds less, about 20–30 seconds less. 2 minutes to 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Then mix in the Peanut Butter & Vanilla.
- Firm Fudge: Cook for a few seconds longer, about 20–30 seconds. 2 minutes and 50 seconds to 3 minutes. Then mix in the Peanut Butter & Vanilla.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
After the Peanut Butter Fudge has cooled down for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips over top and let it melt for about 5 minutes from the residual heat. Then it will be easily spreadable to cover the top.
Peanut Butter Fudge Cookies
A good variation is to make peanut butter cookies and using the cookie dough, about half of it. Spread over a pie crust or casserole and bake. Let cool, then make and pour the Fudge over the top. Cook the Peanut Butter Cookie layer until just done or a little before, because when the Hot Fudge goes on, it will cook the Peanut Butter Cookie more.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars
When you pour the Fudge over the Peanut Butter Cookies, wait like 5 minutes. Then sprinkle as many Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips on top as you want and wait a few minutes. The Hot Fudge will melt the chocolate chips, and you will be able to spread the chocolate around in a nice even layer.
Equipment
- 1 Sauce Pot
- 1 Casserole 9×13
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Spatula Scraper
- 1 Bowl to hold the Peanut Butter & Vanilla
Ingredients
- 2 C Sugar
- 1/2 C Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 3/4 C Crunchy Peanut Butter
- 1 C Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips - Optional
Instructions
- Peanut Butter & Vanilla: Add Peanut Butter & Vanilla together in a bowl and set aside.
- Caramel: In a sauce pot, add Sugar & Milk. Get your timer ready for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Bring the Milk & Sugar to a boil on max heat. As soon as it starts simmering, start the timer.Reduce the heat to Medium High but keep it simmering. Mixing constantly to prevent burning. Be careful, this stuff is really hot.
- Peanut Butter Fudge: As soon as time is up, work fast to add the Peanut Butter & Vanilla. Vigorously stir to get it mixed well. Don't spend too much time here, or it's going to start hardening in the bowl.Pour into a casserole and let cool.
- (optional) Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge: After about 5 minutes or so of cooling, the fudge. Sprinkle about 1 Cup or more of Chocolate chips on top while it is still hot. After about 5–10 minutes, you should be able to spread the chocolate chips with ease to form a smooth layer. Let rest until fully cooled.
Notes
- Softer Fudge: Cook for a few seconds less, about 20–30 seconds less. 2 minutes to 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Then add the Peanut Butter & Vanilla to mix.
- Firm Fudge: Cook for a few seconds longer, about 20–30 seconds. 2 minutes and 50 seconds to 3 minutes. Then add the Peanut Butter & Vanilla to mix.