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    Home » Recipes » Candy & Treats

    Peanut Butter Fudge (No Bake)

    Published: Oct 25, 2022 · Modified: Oct 10, 2023 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    squares of no bake peanut butter fudge on parchment paper
    squares of no bake peanut butter fudge on a white plate
    squares of no bake peanut butter fudge on parchment paper
    squares of no bake peanut butter fudge on a white plate

    This easy Peanut Butter Fudge no bake recipe is soft, smooth, and creamy and you can make it with 4 ingredients (plus optional toppings) in about 5 minutes. No candy thermometer needed!

    Squares of no bake peanut butter fudge on a white plate.

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    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge: Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Delicious Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes
    • 💌Let's Stay in Touch
    • 📖 Recipe

    Is it even Christmas if there isn't fudge? Not for me! Homemade fudge was one of my favorite sweet treats on my grandma's goodie trays, and my delicious Christmas fudge recipes for 2-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Mint Fudge, and Two-Tone Cranberry Pecan Fudge always make me think of her.

    As a peanut butter lover, this easy no bake peanut butter fudge recipe is one of my favorites. It was inspired by a recipe I found in my husband's grandmother's recipe box -- the same place I found these Coconut Dream Bars (OMG, so good!!).  

    It's the best peanut butter fudge recipe, absolutely fool-proof, and easy to make in the microwave. No need to stir your arm off or haul the mixer out, worry about it getting grainy, or wonder if it will set up. 

    With almost no effort and just a few ingredients, you can make delicious fudge with a smooth, creamy texture that's loaded with rich peanut butter flavor.

    This is such an easy fudge recipe for the holiday season, Valentine’s Day, or any time of year. 

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Fun treat for holiday parties -- it also makes great gifts!
    • Easy microwave fudge recipe with 4 ingredients, plus your favorite toppings!
    • Quick recipe you can make in about 5 minutes with no special equipment
    • Delicious no bake peanut butter fudge recipe with minimal ingredients. No marshmallow cream. No powdered sugar.

    Ingredients

    No bake peanut butter fudge ingredients.

    Peanut butter chips. Since there are no chocolate chips in this fudge, peanut butter chips give this creamy peanut butter fudge recipe structure AND yummy peanut butter flavor.  

    Creamy peanut butter. I used Skippy peanut butter. You can also use crunchy peanut butter if you want to add some texture.

    Sweetened condensed milk. This easy peanut butter fudge recipe is made without confectioner's sugar. The sweetened condensed milk makes this creamy fudge nice and smooth so you don't need to worry about graininess. It's the perfect consistency every time. 

    Vanilla. Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavors of these simple ingredients. 

    Optional Ingredients

    Salt. For sweet and salty fudge, add a little salt to the peanut butter mixture. You can also sprinkle flaky sea salt on top. 

    Toppings. Dress up your fudge with salted peanuts, mini peanut butter cups, Reese’s Pieces, toffee bits, chopped candy bars, pretzels … you name it!

    How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge: Step-by-Step Instructions

    Before you get started: Prepare an 8x8 or 9x9 square pan with parchment paper or foil. Leave an overhang so you can easily lift the fudge out of the pan. Smear a little butter on the sides of the pan first to keep the parchment paper from slipping. 

    Hand stirring the melted peanut butter fudge mixture in a glass measuring cup.

    Step 1: Microwave peanut butter chips, peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla in 30-second increments until melted, not boiling, about 1 ½ to 2 minutes. A 4-cup Pyrex cup with a handle works perfectly for this.

    Stir until combined and smooth.

    Hand spreading peanut butter fudge mixture in square pan.

    Step 2: Immediately pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan. Smooth out the top with a knife or spatula. 

    Peanut butter fudge in square pan topped with peanut butter cups and peanuts.

    Step 3, optional: Lightly press toppings like peanut butter cups or salted peanuts on top of the fudge while it’s still soft. 

    Squares of no bake peanut butter fudge on parchment paper.

    Step 4: Chill in the refrigerator until firm, 1-2 hours. Lift the fudge out of the pan and place the slab on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into small squares, about 1 to 1 ½ inches.

    Expert Tips

    • A 4-cup microwave-safe measuring cup makes it easy to transport the mixture between the microwave and counter because the handle stays cool.
    • Smear a little butter on the insides of the pan to hold the parchment paper in place.
    • Homemade peanut butter fudge needs to cool completely before slicing. 
    • My microwave is 1000w, so you may need more or less time, depending on the power of your microwave. 

    Recipe FAQs

    What is the best way to store no bake peanut butter fudge? 

    Store fudge in an airtight container between layers of wax paper at room temperature in a cool dry place for about a week or two or in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. 

    Does no bake peanut butter fudge with condensed milk need to be refrigerated?

    No. Peanut butter fudge with sweetened condensed milk may seem like it needs to be refrigerated because it has dairy, but the high sugar content stabilizes it. Fudge will stay fresh at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. 

    Can you freeze microwave peanut butter fudge?

    Yes, 4 ingredient peanut butter fudge recipe freezes well, even if you add toppings. To freeze, tightly wrap it in wax paper, then foil, and pop it into a freezer bag. You can store fudge in the freezer for 2-3 months.

    How long do you boil a no bake recipe for peanut butter fudge?

    This is one of the easiest recipes for fudge because you don't have to boil it. Just melt everything together in the microwave and spread it in the pan.

    Squares of no bake peanut butter fudge on a white plate.

    More Delicious Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes

    • A Nutter Butter bar drizzled with peanut butter on a white plate.
      The BEST Nutter Butter Bars 
    • peanut butter oreo heavenly dessert on a white plate
      Peanut Butter Oreo Heavenly Dessert
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    • Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls
      Fast & Easy Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Balls

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    📖 Recipe

    squares of no bake peanut butter fudge on parchment paper

    4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge (No Bake)

    Cara Lanz
    4 Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Fudge is a smooth and creamy microwave fudge recipe you can make in about 5 minutes. No candy thermometer needed!
    4.50 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 7 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 25
    Calories 113 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 10 ounces peanut butter chips
    • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

    Optional

    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¾ to 1 cup mini peanut butter cups and salted peanuts
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare an 8x8 or 9x9 square pan with parchment paper or foil. Leave an overhang so you can easily lift the fudge out of the pan
    • Place peanut butter chips, peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla in a large glass measuring cup (4+ cups) or microwave-safe bowl. Add a pinch of salt, if desired.
      Microwave on high in 30-second increments until melted, not boiling, 1 ½ to 2 minutes. Stir until the mixture is completely combined and smooth.
    • Immediately pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top with a knife or spatula.
    • Optional: lightly press your choice of toppings like peanut butter cups or salted peanuts on top of the fudge while it’s still soft.
    • Chill in the refrigerator until firm, 1-2 hours. Lift the fudge out of the pan and place the slab on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into 1 to 1 ½ inch squares.

    Storage & Freezing

    • Store in an airtight container between layers of wax paper at room temperature in a cool dry place for 1-2 weeks or in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
    • To freeze fudge, tightly wrap it in waxed paper and again in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place it in a freezer storage bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 2-3 months.

    Video

    Notes

    I recommend microwaving the mixture in a  4-cup microwave-safe measuring cup. It makes it easy to transport the mixture between the microwave and counter to stir the mixture because the handle stays cool to the touch.
    This recipe was tested in a 1000w microwave. You may need to adjust the time up or down depending on the power of your microwave.
    Smear a little butter on the insides of the pan to hold the parchment paper in place.
    Nutrition calculated without optional ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 88mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 42IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Joseph Tannenbaum says

      February 13, 2023 at 1:08 am

      5 stars
      Made this before seeing the tip about the 4 cup measuring cup. Tastes awesome. What if we used chocolate chips instead of peanut chips?

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        February 13, 2023 at 1:28 am

        Oh good, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I haven't tried it with chocolate chips before but I imagine it would taste AWESOME, like a peanut butter cup! Let me know if you try it and how it goes :). Cara

        Reply
    2. Sif Galdr says

      December 22, 2022 at 8:41 pm

      3 stars
      The fudge didn’t emulsify. The fat content of an entire cup of PB was too high. I had a greasy mess. The flavor was good. I’m trying to figure out how to rescue it.

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        December 22, 2022 at 11:59 pm

        Oh, no. That's odd ... I've never experienced that and I just made another batch of it today. I wonder if you used natural peanut butter? If so, I would recommend using regular smooth peanut butter next time. As far as rescuing, perhaps you can try adding more peanut butter chips and reheat until melted.

        Reply
    3. Barbara Bowersox says

      December 09, 2022 at 8:17 pm

      Sounds and looks great going to make shortly. Tkd

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        December 09, 2022 at 8:33 pm

        Thank you so much, I hope you love it as much as we do :). Cara

        Reply
    4. Aeil says

      October 29, 2022 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      Easy fast Great fudge recipe
      With peanuts pecans awesome
      Thanks 😊

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        October 29, 2022 at 5:07 pm

        You're welcome -- and pecans sound delicious! Enjoy your fudge :). Cara

        Reply
    4.50 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Cara!

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