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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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!

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.

How To Make Peanut Butter Fudge:

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

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Recipe contributed By Brenda Grindheim