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This foolproof peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream is quick and easy with just 5 ingredients – it’s creamy and soft with so much peanut butter flavor! Fudge can be finicky – so use my tested recipe to make it perfectly!

pile of fudge squares in teal container with bite missing


This is the old fashioned peanut butter fudge you’ll remember from your childhood – that creamy soft texture and peanut buttery flavor from scratch – like the kind you get on vacation. This is the BEST peanut butter fudge recipe – it’s easy with only 5 ingredients. It’s fantastic fudge, made with marshmallow cream. You don’t need any butter or confectioners’ sugar for this recipe and it has so much amazing peanut butter flavor. Plus – it’s freezer friendly!

Why this recipe works:

  • Unlike other recipes, you don’t need a candy thermometer to make this fudge. No special equipment needed! You only need a saucepan and a baking dish.
  • You only need four ingredients and about 10 minutes to make it! It’s a great recipe for the holidays when you need a batch of something sweet on short notice.
  • This fudge starts to set immediately and is ready to slice after an hour in the fridge.
  • I’ve tested this numerous times and it always works as long as I follow the directions.
ingredients in PB fudge

Ingredients Needed

  • Granulated Sugar instead of powdered sugar
  • Milk: use whole milk, no substitutions
  • Marshmallow Cream: also called marshmallow fluff – no substitutions
  • Peanut Butter: use a regular processed (shelf-stable) peanut butter like Skippy or Jif. Do not use a natural peanut butter.

Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

How to make Peanut Butter Fudge

  1. Combine sugar and milk in a 3-quart saucepan on a stove-top.
  2. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Make sure it is at a ROLLING boil. Once it starts to boil, boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  3. Immediately stir in peanut butter and marshmallow creme until blended.
  4. Immediately spread into a prepared 9×9-inch pan lined with aluminum foil or parchment; cool to room temperature. Then chill until firm.

Variations

pile of fudge squares in teal container with fudge behind

Expert Tips

  • Be sure to have all your ingredients ready to go when you start – making fudge goes fast!
  • This easy peanut butter fudge sets very quickly and is ready to slice after it’s chilled for an hour. In fact, as soon as you pour the mixture into the dish you will notice it will start to firm up almost immediately.
  • I do not recommend making this in the microwave.
  • You can rescue soft fudge by mixing some powdered sugar. But if this fudge is cooked properly you will not need to do this.

Storage

The best way to store fudge to keep it fresh is in the refrigerator. I recommend slicing it and storing the slices in an airtight container. Separate them with wax paper and the fudge will keep well for up to a week. This fudge can be frozen in an airtight container for up to one month.

FAQs

Why is my fudge grainy? 

Grainy fudge usually happens because the sugar has not completely dissolved into the milk. Be sure to stir well and continuously while the milk and sugar boil to ensure it fully dissolves.

Why didn’t my fudge set?

Chances are it didn’t set because it wasn’t cooked hot enough. It needs to stay at a continuous rolling boil for 3 minutes.

How to fix peanut butter fudge that didn’t set

You can add some powdered sugar and mix and it should help it set up. How much powdered sugar depends on how thin it is. To offset the extra sweetness, add some extra salt.

the best peanut butter fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

4.83 from 125 votes
This is an easy FOOLPROOF recipe for peanut butter fudge with just 4 ingredients. It's fast and simple and SO creamy and good!

Recipe Video

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Yield 36 pieces
Serving Size 1 serving

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (118ml) whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups (400g) creamy peanut butter
  • 7 ounces marshmallow creme (1 jar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Instructions

  • Line an 9-in. square pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Assemble all your ingredients because this recipe goes fast.
  • Combine sugar and milk in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once it starts to boil, boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  • Immediately stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and marshmallow creme until blended. Immediately spread into prepared pan; cool slightly.
  • Refrigerate until firm. Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Remove foil; cut into squares. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container.

Recipe Notes

  • Use a regular store peanut butter, not a natural one where you have to stir it. You can use Skippy or Jif Naturals, but not a fully natural peanut butter.
  • This fudge needs to be at a rolling boil for a full 3 minutes. It will reach approximately 234°F (soft ball stage) on a candy thermometer in this time. As long as the fudge is at a full boil before you start your timer you don’t have to use a candy thermometer.
  • This easy peanut butter fudge sets very quickly and is ready to slice after it’s chilled for an hour. In fact, as soon as you pour the mixture into the dish you will notice it will start to firm up almost immediately.
  • For this recipe, after the fudge has set, you don’t need to keep it in the refrigerator. I recommend slicing it and storing the slices in an airtight container. Separate them with wax paper and the fudge will keep well for up to a week.
  • This fudge can be frozen in an airtight container for up to one month.
  • This fudge cannot be made in the microwave.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Favorite Fudge Recipes



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

4.83 from 125 votes (100 ratings without comment)

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