Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
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This creamy chocolate peanut butter fudge brings together sweetened condensed milk, semi sweet chocolate chips, and a smooth peanut butter layer for a sweet treat that fits right into the holiday season.
This is one of our easy candy recipes you will want to bookmark for later.
It feels like an easy fudge recipe for anyone trying this for the first time, and the combination of chocolate makes each bite rich and cozy. A little bit of swirling on top of the fudge feels extra fun to share on cookie platters.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only minutes of prep time with a microwave safe bowl, silicone spatula, and a square pan lined with a piece of parchment paper
- No candy thermometer needed which keeps things stress free
- A creamy peanut butter fudge base that sets beautifully and cuts cleanly with a sharp knife
- Perfect for cookie platters during this time of year and it pairs nicely with other candy recipes
- Great for gifting since leftover fudge keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days
Ingredients for easy Chocolate peanut butter fudge
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Creamy peanut butter
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Equipment and kitchen tools
- 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper
- Large microwave-safe bowl
- Offset spatula
- Piping bag
How to make this fudge recipe
Step by Step Instructions
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Step 1 – Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine condensed milk, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup peanut butter, and butter.
Step 2 – Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring with a silicone spatula each time, until melted and smooth. Should take about 2 minutes total.
Stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
Step 3 – Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
Step 4 – Melt the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl for 15–20 seconds until pourable. Pour into a piping bag or zip-top bag cut the corner of the bag, and pipe 4 horizontal lines across the fudge mixture.
Step 5 – Use a butter knife to gently swirl the peanut butter, dragging up and down vertically.
Step 6 – Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm
Step 7 – Cut into squares and serve!
Raquel’s Time Saving Tips
- Use steady intervals in the microwave to melt the chocolate layer. Medium heat keeps the sugar mixture smooth and prevents scorching. Stir between each burst so the mixture warms evenly.
- A warm sharp knife gives you clean small pieces. For even neater cuts place the chilled pan on the counter for a short moment so the top softens slightly.
- If the peanut butter mixture feels too thick, warm it briefly until pourable. A smooth consistency makes the peanut butter layer much easier to swirl across the prepared pan.
- A kitchen tip for gifting is to wrap each square with a piece of plastic wrap or place the squares between sheets of wax paper. This helps the homemade fudge stay tidy when transporting.
- If you prefer a stronger sweet salty finish sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top right before chilling.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips. This brings a lighter color You can even switch to peanut butter chips for a deeper nutty flavor.
- If you want a different kind of peanut butter try natural peanut butter or cashew butter. The texture may shift a little bit, so a quick stir in a food processor can help make it smooth again.
- For a layered look pour half of the chocolate mixture into the loaf pan or square pan, add a thin peanut butter layer, then finish with the rest. It gives a style similar to chocolate barks or old fashioned fudge recipes with two tones.
- For a creamy boost add a tiny spoon of coconut oil to the chocolate mixture. This gives a softer bite once chilled.
- If you love extra mix ins, crumble peanut butter cups or sprinkle chopped salted peanuts on the top of the fudge right after swirling.
What to Make Next
Try my Christmas Fudge, Sugar Cookie Fudge and my Hot Chocolate Fudge. These are all easy recipes to enjoy and to give as gifts to others. Also try one of my many other Easy Homemade Candy recipes. They have all been tested and approved!
FAQs
No. This is a microwave based method that skips the soft ball stage seen in traditional fudge and old fashioned fudge.
Yes. A double boiler works well. Keep the heat at medium heat so the chocolate melts steadily without burning.
Fudge freezes beautifully. Store pieces in an airtight container for up to three months. They thaw well in the fridge. At room temperature they hold for a couple of days.
Creamy peanut butter gives the smoothest texture. Natural peanut butter works too, though the oils may separate. Stir well before adding it to the peanut butter mixture.
A square pan gives you classic fudge height. A loaf pan works for a thicker batch.
A splash of vanilla extract is already in the recipe. You can swirl in a little bit of coffee concentrate for mocha fudge style or mix in instant espresso powder for a mocha fudge variation.
Yes. The steps are simple, the mix melts quickly, and the swirls look pretty without effort which makes this a great recipe for anyone who wants a new favorite for the holiday season or to replace something they made last year.
More delicious dessert recipes
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- baking pan
- Butter knife
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter plus 1/4 cup for swirling
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine condensed milk, chocolate
- chips, 1/2 cup peanut butter, and butter.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring with a silicone spatula each
- time, until melted and smooth. Should take about 2 minutes total.
- Stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
- Melt the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl for
- 15–20 seconds until pourable. Pour into a piping bag or zip-top bag cut
- the corner of the bag, and pipe 4 horizontal lines across the fudge
- mixture. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the peanut butter, dragging up
- and down vertically.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm. Cut into squares and serve!
I’ve gotten away from baking or making sweets at Christmas. These would be a hit at my house!
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