I found it! The PERFECT fudge!!!! It’s EASY, has only 4 ingredients, doesn’t require constant stirring…or a candy thermometer….or even a stove! WHA??? That’s right ladies!!! It’s rich, creamy and delicious too. My official “go to” fudge is made in the microwave? Why yes….it is.
{I know some of you prefer not to use microwaves, that’s ok!}
Microwave butter and peanut butter in a medium bowl for 2 mins.
Stir- it’s melted at this point, but put it back into the microwave for 2 more mins- this gives it a “brown butter” taste and gets it to the right temperature.
Add in vanilla and powdered sugar and stir well- fudge will have a chalky texture.
Place parchment paper into an 8×8 dish and -butter the parchment paper.
Pour fudge into pan.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set and firm. Cut into squares.
Mmmm…..delicious and SO EASY!
I made these for gifts…I added some chopped Reese’s PB cups to the top. The little dishes came from Michael’s craft store- $1 a piece! Adorable!
I wrapped the tops like so..
Placed them into matching plastic bags…they were also $1 for 20.
Wrapped them up with a bow and a plastic butter knife…
Ready to give!
This recipe sure did give me fudge making confidence…I’ve done it too ladies, made fudge that didn’t quite set. It happens! But this recipe is mistake proof- follow the instructions and you will get perfect fudge every time.
***This recipe is from Alton Brown– again, LOVE his recipes!***
- 2 sticks butter, plus more for greasing pan
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- Combine the butter and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl. Cover with a paper towel and Microwave for 2 minutes on high.
- Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes.
- Add vanilla and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and stir to combine. The mixture will become firm.
- Spread into an 8 by 8-inch pan lined with buttered parchment paper.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Cut into cubes.
Love this Janelle! We give fudge as gifts for the men in our family since they already have everything! I use the carnation fudge recipe because it works with any kind of baking chip (chocolate, butterscotch, etc) and I’m making Ghiradelli fudge this year! Though, this one looks even easier. Yum!
YUM! Can’t wait to try this!!!
I will totally be making some of this for Christmas! I bought several of the small dishes on clearance after Christmas last year and STILL hadn’t figured out how to use them. Plus, who doesn’t have some plastic knives laying around. They never seem to get used. Thanks for sharing!
Megan
That is SO right! I always have extra plastic knives, lol!! too funny!
Hi Janelle, this recipe sounds great, does it matter if I use salted or unsalted butter? Thank you.
I use salted butter, but you certainly can use unsalted!
I’ve always wanted to make fudge for the holidays, but I’ve always felt intimidated to try it. I can definitely say I don’t have any hesitation after reading how easy this recipe is! Thanks for posting!
Me too 🙂 This one is a winner!
I am definitely going to try this recipe!! If I don’t have parchment paper, do you think it will make a difference if I use foil?
Butter the foil and you should be fine!
Janelle, thanks for posting this! I was looking for something different to make this year for neighbors gifts and this is perfect! So cute too! Did you butter the little baking dishes that your were giving as gifts or just pour the fudge in them as is? I am running to Michael’s today to get some of those! Thank you thank you!
Yes, I did butter the little dishes! Enjoy!
I have never made fudge, but have just decided we are giving fudge as Christmas gifts. Thanks so much for sharing such yummy recipes!!!! 🙂
2 sticks of butter – as in 1/2 cup or 1 cup? Sticks come in different sizes. 😉
Hi Andrea! Just standard sticks, Dear…1 cup or 1/2 lb. Enjoy!
OMGness!! These look so easy to make, especially for this busy working mama. My mother-in-law doesn’t like chocolate and I was thinking of what treat to make for her and this is perfect! Plus she loves peanuts! Thank you soo much for sharing this with us. I am going to make these and I’ll let you know how it comes out!
Blessings!
Adrienne
My middle daughter has been begging me to make peanut butter fudge. I am nervous to try fudge recipes that don’t give me a temperature to hit on my candy thermometer because I have failed miserably on anything that doesn’t give me a number.
I found this recipe last week and had printed it to try. Now that it has your approval, it’s a definite must try! Thanks!!
i had trouble getting the lumps out after i added the powdered sugar. so i used a whisk, and got rid of the lumps, but then the butter started separating from the mixture. the flavor is good, just not sure if i’ll try this again.
Hi Jill! Did you microwave the additional 2 mins? It sounds as if your mixture had not cooked long enough.
I’m so not the fudge type and always fear I’ll mess it up. This was AWESOME! Thank you so much for sharing. My husband ( the Ultimate Peanut Butter Lover) loved this fudge! We’ll be making this every year! Thanks again so much for all the wonderful things you post! Happy New Year to you and your family!
This recipe did not work for me, everything was fine until I added the powdered sugar. 1 pound seemed like alot and what that equals to in Canada in grams was 454, not sure about the butter since we dont have sticks either
All your other recipes I’ve tried are awesome!!!!!!
Thanks
I’m sorry Shirleen! It must be the conversions!
I don’t have a microwave, any idea how long it will take on stove top?
I have done this both the microwavable way, and used the exact same recipe for the stove top – It turned out terrible on the stove top – perhaps It was just me, but what I just melted the butter and PB on the stove until it was creamy, then followed the rest of the directions as normal
Also I never have parchment paper, or wax paper(I just never think to buy them) when I’ve made it I never had foil either (I’m not a baker/cooker I hate it lol) so I just used cooking spray in my cake pan – and spread the fudge mix out into it, and put it in the fridge- worked just fine that way too.
I found this recipe and said to myself hmmm I’ve never made fudge because I was always afraid to make it the good old fashion way. I would see my Nana make it and she would always burn herself. But then my cousin emailed me this, and I was like wow you can make it in a microwave? Awesome! But sadly I’m gonna have to give it another attempt because it did not turn out. I put my peanut butter fudge it the fridge for 2 hours…but when I took it out, there was a puddle of liquid on top of the fudge. Maybe it is from the peanut butter? I’m not real sure but… maybe if I make it again it will turn out. I know this recipe works though becuase my cousin made it. And it was very good!
You need to microwave it a little more than you did 🙂 Hope it turns out for you next time!!!
I make this a lot – I am not a baker or cook I hate to do both, so when I found this on Facebook it was right up my ally, the faster, quicker it is the happier I am ! lol I have made it several times the last time I was out of creamy PB so I just used Chunky, it was no different than the normal made fudge with nuts added 😀
Also as I stated above in a reply – I never have wax paper, parchment paper and lucky to have foil when I need it, so I just use non stick spray – spray my cake pan (which is glass) and pour in the mix, spread it out, put it in the fridge, have never had issues with it.
I’ve also used this exact recipe on the stove top, however, for me it was terrible and tasted gritty! I tried 3xs doing it differently each time – not sure if it is just me, or if this is seriously only meant for the microwave- Which I love doing it in the microwave so doesn’t really matter to me 🙂
Good info. Lucky me I discovered your blog by accident (stumbleupon).
I’ve book marked it for later!
Wow. Just made this…Thank you.. It is so simple & delicious.
I have made this a number of times and I AM A MAN so its got to be easy LoL. The kids love it as my wife and my self love this also. I make this two ways one peanut and the other i add baking cocoa and make it as dark or light as you wish. I also make a double batch every time. I made it for my wife to take to work and it was a big hit so any one that likes peanut butter fudge will love it. I give this a extra star for easy and a nother star for the mmmmmmmmmmmmm good.
Thank you so much Dennis!!!!
YUM!!!! I’m pregnant so I’ll need to make this and share MOST of it! HEHE but in my pregnant state EVERYTHING on the Comfy website looks particularly delicious! 🙂
Hi – could you make this non-dairy with margarine – would it work?
I would not recommend this recipe with anything but butter, I’m sorry!