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Satisfy your peanut butter craving with this amazingly easy small batch peanut butter fudge recipe! It needs just 4 ingredients and comes together in minutes. This rich, creamy fudge is the perfect way to treat yourself or share a little sweetness with someone special.
If you enjoy peanut butter treats, you might also like our other recipes for small batch Peanut Butter Cookies, Buckeyes, and Peanut Butter Balls. Each one is designed to give you the perfect amount of your favorite peanut butter desserts.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
- Simplicity: Only 4 ingredients are needed, making it easy to prepare with common pantry staples.
- Speed: This 5 minute peanut butter fudge is ideal for when you need a quick treat or last-minute gift, as it can be prepared in just minutes.
- Versatility: Easily customizable with mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts.
- Texture: Creamy and rich, this fudge melts in your mouth, delivering a satisfying experience.
- Portion Size: Ideal for smaller households, or when you want just enough indulgence without excess leftovers.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this quick peanut butter fudge recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Peanut butter: For this recipe, smooth commercial brands like Jiff, Peter Pan, or Skippy work best. However, I’ve tested it with Smucker’s brand of natural peanut butter (with no added sugar, just peanuts), and the fudge was excellent. If you prefer a different texture, using crunchy peanut butter is also an acceptable option. If you’ve got a little bit of peanut butter left in your jar, consider using it in a small batch of “puppy chow”!
- Butter: I use salted butter but feel free to use either salted or unsalted butter in this recipe.
- Powdered sugar: Gives the fudge its structure; ensure it’s sifted to avoid lumps.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances flavor; may be replaced with almond extract if desired.
Recipe Variations
Peanut butter fudge is not only a classic treat but also a versatile one, allowing you to experiment with various additions and textures. Here are some delightful ways to customize your small batch peanut butter fudge:
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Fudge: Add mini chocolate chips to the mixture to create a delightful blend of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite.
- Peanut Butter Fudge With Nuts: Love a crunch in your sweets? Stir in your favorite chopped nuts and experience a whole new dimension of flavor.
- Marbled Fudge: By swirling melted chocolate into the fudge before it sets, you can create an eye-catching marbled effect that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge: Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups to infuse your fudge with that beloved candy flavor.
- Double Peanut Butter Fudge: Elevate the peanut taste by stirring in 2 tablespoons of chopped peanuts, adding crunch and extra peanut flavor.
How To Make Peanut Butter Fudge
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of peanut butter fudge. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Line a small dish with foil leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the fudge out of the pan easily.
Pro Tip: You have the option to use wax paper or parchment paper instead of foil, but I recommend using foil. The reason is that foil conforms to the shape of the dish better than wax paper, allowing the fudge to be lifted out of the pan in one piece. Cutting the fudge outside of the pan becomes easier with foil, leading to more evenly cut pieces. Foil’s adaptability to the pan’s shape makes the whole process smoother and more precise.
Best size pan or dish to use: Use a 4×6-inch baking dish that has a base area of 24 square inches. You can also use a 5×5-inch baking dish with a base area of 25 square inches or a 6×6-inch dish which will yield a thinner layer of fudge.
- Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir in the peanut butter and continue stirring until smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the sifted powdered sugar and stir until smooth.
Pro Tip: Sifting powdered sugar is a crucial step in achieving smooth fudge, and here’s how you can do it: Place the powdered sugar in a fine-mesh strainer or sifter positioned over a bowl. Hold the strainer with one hand and gently tap its side with your other hand. This action helps break down any hard, round nuggets often found in powdered sugar. If not sifted, these nuggets can result in gritty fudge or uneven pockets of sugar within the finished product. So make sure to sift to ensure a delightful texture in your fudge.
- Pour the fudge into the dish and smooth the top with the back of a spoon or rubber spatula.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
- Remove the fudge from the refrigerator and cut into pieces.
Serving Suggestions
Looking to elevate your peanut butter fudge experience? Here are some tantalizing ideas:
- With Ice Cream: Serve alongside vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
- Coffee Pairing: Complement with a hot cup of coffee.
- Gift Packaging: Place in decorative boxes for a thoughtful gift.
- On a Dessert Platter: Arrange with cookies and chocolate truffles for a treat platter.
Expert Tips
- Peanut Butter: Choose smooth, regular commercial brands of peanut butter like Jiff, Peter Pan, or Skippy for the best consistency. Natural peanut butter with no sugar added (such as Smucker’s) also works well. If you prefer some texture, crunchy peanut butter is an acceptable option.
- Powdered Sugar: Always sift your powdered sugar before measuring. This ensures that any clumps are removed, leading to a smoother mixture.
- Line the Pan: Prepare your pan by lining it in advance. Having it ready ensures you can quickly transfer the fudge mixture without delay, helping maintain the desired texture.
- Slicing the Fudge: Allow the fudge to rest at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing. This makes cutting easier and results in more uniform pieces. Always use a sharp knife for the cleanest cuts.
Storing Your Peanut Butter Fudge: A Simple Guide
Keep your peanut butter fudge fresh in an airtight container. It will last up to a week at room temperature or up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Thinking about freezing it? No problem! Just wrap the fudge in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer storage bag. It can be frozen for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw it in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This 5 minute peanut butter fudge recipe can be conveniently adapted for either microwave or stovetop preparation. Here’s how to make microwave peanut butter fudge:
Combine Ingredients: In a large microwave-safe bowl, add peanut butter and butter. Slicing the butter first aids in more uniform melting.
Microwave Mixture: Heat the peanut butter and butter in the microwave, pausing to stir every 30 seconds. Continue this process until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
Add Vanilla and Sugar: Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir in the vanilla using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing until fully combined.
Pour and Chill: Transfer the fudge mixture into your chosen dish or pan and spread evenly. Place it in the refrigerator to chill and set.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy homemade peanut butter fudge made right in your microwave. It’s a quick and efficient method that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture!
For this small batch peanut butter fudge recipe, we use a 4×6-inch baking dish that has a base area of 24 square inches.
Other alternative baking dishes:
5×5-inch dish
6×6-inch dish (this will yield thinner fudge)
6-inch round dish
These baking dishes can be viewed on our Store page.
Yes, you can effortlessly double this peanut butter fudge recipe. Just multiply all the ingredients by two, and a larger saucepan like a 3-quart size would be the perfect fit.
When you double the recipe, it’s best to press the fudge into either an 8×1 1/2-inch round pan or a 9×5-inch loaf pan, depending on your preference or availability. This adjustment ensures that the fudge sets properly and retains its delicious texture.
Peanut butter fudge may fail to harden if it hasn’t been refrigerated long enough or if not enough powdered sugar was used. Ensure that you follow the recommended refrigeration time and accurately measure the powdered sugar to achieve the perfect consistency.
Grainy, dry, or crumbly fudge could be the result of inadequate stirring or improper proportions of ingredients. To avoid this, make sure to stir the sifted powdered sugar thoroughly until it’s completely mixed in. Following the precise measurements for sugar and butter in this recipe will help ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this easy peanut butter fudge recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Small Batch Peanut Butter Fudge
Equipment
- 5-inch baking dish or a 4×6-inch dish
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Line a small 4×6-inch or 5×5-inch dish with foil leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the fudge out of the pan easily.Pro Tip: You can use a sheet of wax paper instead of foil but I prefer using foil because it conforms to the shape of the dish better than wax paper. The foil allows the fudge to be lifted out of the pan in one piece. It is also easier to cut the fudge outside the pan which allows for more evenly cut pieces.
- Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir in the peanut butter and continue stirring until smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the sifted powdered sugar and stir until smooth.Pro Tip: To sift powdered sugar, place the sugar in a fine-mesh strainer or sifter placed over a bowl. Hold the strainer in one hand and gently tap its side with the palm or a finger from the opposite hand. Sifting powdered sugar is an important step because there are often hard, round nuggets in powdered sugar and if not sifted, the nuggets will cause the fudge to be gritty or you'll end up with pockets of sugar in your fudge.
- Pour the fudge into the baking dish and smooth the top with the back of a spoon or rubber spatula.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until firm.
- Remove the fudge from the refrigerator and cut into pieces.
- Store this fudge in an airtight container. The fudge keeps well for up to a week at room temperature or for 2 weeks if refrigerated.To freeze, wrap the fudge in plastic wrap and transfer it to a freezer storage bag. Freeze for up to 1 month and thaw in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
- Peanut Butter: Choose smooth, regular commercial brands of peanut butter like Jiff, Peter Pan, or Skippy for the best consistency. Natural peanut butter with no sugar added (such as Smucker’s) also works well. If you prefer some texture, crunchy peanut butter is an acceptable option.
- Powdered Sugar: Always sift your powdered sugar before measuring. This ensures that any clumps are removed, leading to a smoother mixture.
- Line the Pan: Prepare your pan by lining it in advance. Having it ready ensures you can quickly transfer the fudge mixture without delay, helping maintain the desired texture.
- Slicing the Fudge: Allow the fudge to rest at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing. This makes cutting easier and results in more uniform pieces. Always use a sharp knife for the cleanest cuts.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Can u make chocolate fudge the same way u make the peanut butter?
No, I recommend using our Microwave Fudge recipe instead – https://onedishkitchen.com/microwave-fudge-for-one/
The easiest, quickest fudge ever! And so good! A Winner!!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
Just what I was looking for. Perfect recipe for a small gift!
A good recipe. A little flaky/crumbly and super super sweet. I’ve never made fudge, and maybe this on a whim today. Fit the need!
I tried it warm, it was really good! I might cut the sugar a bit next time
Has anyone tried making this with Swerve powdered sugar? I’m diabetic…
This is the easiest and most delicious fudge you will ever make. It is so yummy!
Can I use Almond butter instead of peanut butter
This recipe has not been tested with almond butter.
Just made the recipe. Couldn’t wait until it was cold . Tasted and it’s simply delicious. I used natural nuts and seeds.
Great recipe.