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Crunchy Peanut Butter Fudge

Crunchy Peanut Butter Fudge is a traditional fudge recipe with a wonderful texture of creamy and crunchy.

This is one of the best peanut butter fudge recipes you will find. Plus, this is an easy fudge recipe that’s perfect for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Plenty Of Peanut Butter Flavor

Picture of fudge and pinecones.

Winter is the perfect time of year to be making a lot of fudge.

It’s delicious, it’s easy to make, and it pretty much makes everyone happy. Just say the word, and people come-a-runnin’.

For years, I have taken fudge to the kids’ school, and the ladies up front looooooved it. Trust me, if you take someone fudge, you’ve got a friend for life. I kid you not.

And homemade gifts are truly loved by people.

You can also add the fudge to a cookie tray or take it to an office party.

There are a lot of ways to make peanut butter fudge, and this is an easy recipe to make.

You don’t need a lot of ingredients (it’s a five-ingredient peanut butter fudge – yay for simple) or time to have it ready and prepped to take for gifts or eat yourself.

My biggest issue is trying not to eat it all.

If you love peanut butter fudge, give this easy and creamy Reese’s peanut butter fudge a try.

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Crunchy Peanut Butter Fudge?

  • Sugar
  • Milk
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Crunchy peanut butter
  • Vanilla extract

Tools Needed For Fudge

  • Saucepan
  • Spatula
  • 8-inch x 8-inch square pan
  • Candy thermometer
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

How To Make Simple Peanut Butter Fudge From Scratch

  1. Add the sugar and milk to a saucepan. Bring it to a boil and remove it from the heat when the thermometer reaches 232 degrees.
  2. Next, add the mini marshmallows and mix until melted. Add the vanilla and crunchy peanut butter. Mix well and pour into a greased 8-inch x 8-inch square pan.
  3. Allow the fudge to set up for two to three hours.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Picture of sugar in a saucepan

Start by adding the sugar to a saucepan.

If you love this recipe, try peanut butter fudge with marshmallow creme.

Picture of sugar and milk in a saucepan

Add the milk to the saucepan and mix it together.

Most fudge calls for evaporated milk, but this recipe uses 2% milk.

Picture of fudge ingredients boiling in a saucepan

Boil the fudge until it reaches 232 degrees.

Don’t get sidetracked at this stage of the recipe (speaking from experience).

The milk can easily boil over, and you’ve got a sticky mess. If it seems like the mixture is going to boil over, turn the burner down a tad.

You can time the fudge as it boils, but using a thermometer is going to work better with this recipe.

Typically, fudge is cooked until the soft ball stage, which is 234 degrees.

The first time I made this fudge I brought it a little above the soft ball stage, and it became super crumbly. So, only cook it until it gets just below soft ball stage, which is 232 degrees.

Picture of marshmallow in a saucepan.

Once the sugar and milk reach 232 degrees, remove it from the heat. Next, add the mini marshmallows to the fudge mixture and stir until they are completely melted.

Add the vanilla and mix well (forgot to take a picture of that).

Picture of crunchy peanut butter fudge in the saucepan.

Add the crunchy peanut butter fudge to the saucepan and stir.ย 

Picture of peanut butter fudge

Pour the fudge into a greased 8-inch x 8-inch square pan. Let the fudge set up for two to three hours.

If you’re in a hurry, you can put it in the fridge to set up faster. This fudge will still be soft. It doesn’t harden up like a typical fudge. Let me tell you, it’s sooooo good. It melts in your mouth.

How To Store Crunchy Peanut Butter Fudge

Store the fudge in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. You can keep it at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Fudge will last longer in the refrigerator.

Picture of fudge

This is a crunchy and creamy peanut butter fudge.

More Delicious Fudge Recipes

Have some more questions about fudge? Get all the answers for making fudge recipes.

Picture of fudge and pinecones.

Crunchy Peanut Butter Fudge

Grab the recipe ingredients and instructions below for chunky peanut butter fudge. It’s a simple recipe that everyone will love.

Picture of peanut butter fudge and pinecones

Crunchy Peanut Butter Fudge

4.50 from 4 votes
Julie Pollitt
Crunchy Peanut Butter Fudge is a traditional fudge recipe. It’s easy to make and pretty addictive. This is one of the best fudge recipes you will find. The peanut butter crunch is surrounded by creamy soft fudge and is sure to be a hit around the holidays or any time of year.ย 
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 16 pieces
Calories 195 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Add the sugar and milk to a saucepan. Bring it to a boil on medium-high heat (turn it down a little if it looks like it's going to boil over).
  • Boil until it reaches 232 degrees on the candy thermometer.
  • Remove from heat and add the mini marshmallows. Stir until melted.
  • Add the vanilla and crunchy peanut butter. Stir until melted.
  • Pour into a greased 8" x 8" casserole dish and allow two to three hours to set up.

Video

Notes

Be sure you don't allow the candy thermometer to touch the bottom of the pan, or you will get an incorrect reading.
If you want to lift the fudge out easily, you can line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper.
Do not walk away from the pan while cooking because the milk can boil over fast.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 28.8gProtein: 4.4gFat: 8.3gSaturated Fat: 1.8gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 79mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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4.50 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

4 Comments

  1. Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says:

    Mmmmm this fudge looks AMAZING! I love peanut butter fudge and nothing beats homemade!!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thanks Kelly Lynn!

  2. Peanut butter fudge has to be my most favorite. I just love it! Your recipe has me drooling!! It looks so delicious.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Julia! Thank you!! It’s a fun recipe. I drool over it all the time. ๐Ÿ˜‰

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