Who doesn't just love peanut butter fudge? Our easy, creamy, home style peanut butter fudge is easy to make, and is perfect during the fall trick or treating season.
Top with Reese's Pieces, peanut M&M's, or any seasonal candies for a fun and festive look. You'll want to add this to your fudge recipes, as it's really GOOD!
Why You'll Love Peanut Fudge With Reese's
This creamy style peanut butter fudge recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make treat. It only requires eight ingredients and takes about fifteen minutes to make.
You can make fudge ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer, in advance of any Holiday gatherings.
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Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients
You can use Halloween themed Reese's Pieces or M&M candies in this easy peanut fudge candy, the difference is whether you want M&M's or peanut butter candies in this creamy fudge recipe. I love BOTH in this creamy fudge!
- Sugar - White granulated sugar.
- Butter - Unsalted, cubed.
- Evaporated Milk - Or heavy cream.
- Salt
- Peanut Butter - Creamy style.
- Marshmallow Fluff - 7 oz jar, or make your own with my sister's Marshmallow Fluff recipe.
- Vanilla extract
- Reese's Pieces Candies - Or M&M's Peanut Candies.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions for this fudge are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make This Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
To make peanut butter fudge, start by combining sugar and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
PRO TIP: Clear some space in your refrigerator ahead of time if you plan to cool your home made fudge faster in the refrigerator. Too many times I forget this tip until I have the fridge open, my hands full with the pan of fudge.
Combine Fudge Ingredients
- Line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spray with non stick spray and set to the side.
- Use a heavy bottom pan that has some width, the fudge candy will cook faster and the peanut butter is less prone to scorching.
- Combine the sugar, butter, evaporated milk, and salt in a heavy bottom 3 quart pan for cooking on the stove top.
- Bring the fudge candy mixture to a full boil over high heat, stirring constantly while cooking until the candy thermometer reads between 234-236°F (112-113°C) .
- Reduce heat and continue to stir the candy for 5 minutes.
Add The Peanut Butter And Marshmallow Fluff
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir the creamy peanut butter into the candy mixture until fully melted. Add the vanilla and the marshmallow fluff and mix until the candy is fully blended.
- Beat the fudge until the peanut butter and fluff are fully blended in, with no streaks remaining. Fold in the M&M or Reese's Pieces Candies.
Pour Into A Pan And Chill Until Firm
- Spread the fudge into the parchment paper lined 9 x 13 inch pan. Spread so that the layer is even.
- Cool candy at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, or place in the refrigerator to cool for 1 to 2 hours. Cut when cooled and set up.
Serving Suggestions
This old time creamy style fudge is all dressed up with Reese's Pieces. However, you can also serve it without the decorative candies anytime you are craving peanut butter fudge.
Homemade peanut butter fudge is a delicious and satisfying treat that is sure to please everyone. It is perfect for any occasion and is easy to make.
So next time you are looking for a sweet treat, try making your own homemade peanut butter fudge.
Your party guests will have a spooky time at your Halloween table! You can change the candies to make for any other holiday treat also!
For More Fudge Recipes
And, you family will enjoy these homemade candy recipes
- Valentine's Strawberry Fudge
- 3 Minute Chocolate Fudge
- White Peppermint Bark
- Homemade Peppermint Patties
- Reese's Pieces Halloween Chocolate Bark
Related Recipes
Substitutions
- If you have loved ones with peanut allergies, you can substitute the peanut butter for almond butter in this recipe.
- Use a peanut free candy to decorate with, or just top the candy with holiday cookie decorating sprinkles.
Variations
- Remove a portion (about 2 cups) of the hot fudge and place into a small bowl and stir in semi sweet morsels until they are melted.
- Pour the regular peanut butter fudge into the 9 x 13 inch pan, then pour the chocolate blended mixture on top. Swirl with the back of a spoon. Chill and cut your peanut butter & chocolate swirled fudge!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how recipes turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this fudge.
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Storage Options
- Once cooled, but the fudge and store stacked in an air tight plastic container at room temperature or refrigerated.
- This peanut butter fudge also freezes really well, so you can make it far in advance of any holiday.
Tips for Success
- Use a clean water dipped spatula to scrape down the sides of the milk & sugar mixture when it's boiling.
- Wash the spatula each time you scrape. This will help keep sugar crystals from forming.
- Make a batch of chocolate fudge and blend together with this recipe for peanut butter fudge.
- You can use chunky peanut butter also in this recipe, if you prefer they chunky, peanuty texture in your fudge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Evaporated milk is milk that has been cooked to reduce its water content. It is more stable than regular milk and it can be cooked at high temperatures without curdling, a real benefit to fudge.
If you don't beat for long enough, it won't set, and your fudge will be soft.
You use cream of tartar to help set the fudge. The cream of tartar helps the fudge to set by breaking the sugar's sucrose into glucose and fructose, thereby making crystallization of the fudge less possible. This helps the fudge remain soft and chewy.
Yes, you can substitute half-and-half for evaporated milk! Half and half's thicker consistency is similar to evaporated milk, and can easily be used as a substitute in recipes.
More Delish Recipes
Peanut Butter Fudge
Equipment
- 3 qt Saucepan heavy bottomed
Ingredients
- 2½ cup white granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter cubed
- ⅔ cup evaporated milk
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cup Peanut Butter crunchy or creamy, any brand
- 7 oz jar of Marshmallow Fluff
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups Halloween M&M's or Reese's Pieces candies
Instructions
- Combine sugar, butter, evaporated milk, cream of tartar, and salt in a heavy 3 quart saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat, stirring constantly.2½ cup white granulated sugar, ¾ cup unsalted butter, ⅔ cup evaporated milk, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook and stir for 5 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat.
- To prevent crystallization of the sugar, scrape the sides of the pan with a water-dipped silicone spatula.
- Stir in the peanut butter and stir until melted. Add Vanilla extract and marshmallow fluff, beating until both are well blended and the fluff leaves to tendrils.1½ cup Peanut Butter, 7 oz jar of Marshmallow Fluff, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fold in the M&M Peanut Candies (or use Reese's Pieces Candies). Spread fudge in the prepared 9 x 13 baking pan.1½ cups Halloween M&M's or Reese's Pieces candies
- Cool at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours until set up. Or, cool for 1 - 2 hours in the refrigerator. Slice when cool. Store in a plastic container.
Notes
- Use cream of tartar to help set the fudge. The cream of tartar helps the fudge to set by breaking the sugar's sucrose into glucose and fructose, thereby making crystallization of the fudge less possible.
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