Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge

This Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge recipe is packed with peanut butter flavor! It’s smooth and creamy, and only has five ingredients.

stack of four pieces of peanut butter fudge on a wooden serving tray.

Nothing says the holidays like a batch of fudge! This Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge is a recipe I’ve adapted from a 1976 Pennsylvania church cookbook.

The secret to this foolproof fudge recipe is marshmallow creme (a.k.a. marshmallow fluff). It gets stirred in with the peanut butter to make the creamiest fudge.

What I love about this recipe is that it only has 5 ingredients. It’s a truly easy way to make homemade candy for the holidays, and this batch will feed a crowd. I love giving it away to friends and neighbors.

Looking for other fudge recipes? Don’t miss my Easy Marshmallow Fudge or my Butterscotch Fudge.

And if you love peanut butter (like me), check out this Peanut Butter Pie!

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pieces of old fashioned peanut butter fudge lined up on an oblong wood serving board next to a green cloth napkin.

Top tips

  • You’ll need a candy thermometer for this recipe. Fudge can be temperamental, but a thermometer will ensure the best results.
  • Don’t use natural peanut butter (the drippy kind) for this recipe. Use a regular variety of peanut butter like Skippy or Jif.
  • I recommend lining the 13×9-inch pan with parchment paper. This way, you can just lift out the fudge for easier slicing.

Ingredients

sugar, marshmallow creme, evaporated milk, peanut butter, and salt on a white table.
  • We’ll cook sugar and evaporated milk (NOT sweetened condensed milk) together to create the base of the fudge.
  • Use a regular peanut butter, like Skippy or Jif (NOT a drippy kind and NOT a natural variety).
  • Marshmallow creme makes for the creamiest fudge!
  • Salt balances out all the sweetness.

How to make old fashioned peanut butter fudge

Place the sugar and evaporated milk in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place the pan over medium heat.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat slightly and cook until the mixture reaches 235°F on a candy thermometer, about 8–12 minutes.

a bubbling sugar mixture in a saucepan with a candy thermometer.

Watch the mixture closely, as it will have a propensity to boil over if the heat is too high.

Once it reaches 235°F, immediately remove it from the heat. Stir in the peanut butter, followed by the marshmallow creme, until smooth.

smooth peanut butter mixture in a saucepan with a spatula.

Pour the mixture into a 13×9-inch dish lined with parchment paper and let cool completely. This will take about 4 hours at room temperature or 2 hours in the refrigerator.

peanut butter fudge in a metal pan lined with parchment paper.

Once the peanut butter fudge is completely cool and set, lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper, and slice into 1-inch or 1½-inch squares.

Tips for slicing the fudge

To get clean cuts each time, run a knife under hot water and wipe dry with a kitchen towel. Slice the fudge.

As the knife gets little bits of fudge on it, repeat the process of running it under hot water and wiping dry. This will get you the nicest looking pieces of fudge.

square pieces of peanut butter fudge on a wooden serving board.

Make it ahead

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge is great for making ahead! Store it in a covered container either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

For best results, serve it within one week of making it. It’ll keep in the fridge for several weeks, but may dry out slightly as the weeks go on.

How to store fudge

Storage depends on how you like to enjoy the fudge! If you prefer a softer fudge, keep it at room temperature. If you like a slightly firmer texture, keep it in the refrigerator.

Either way, store it in a covered dish, with pieces of wax paper or parchment paper in between layers so it doesn’t stick together.

You can also freeze fudge for up to 3 months. Wrap it well in plastic wrap before transferring to a covered dish or freezer bag for freezing.

stack of peanut butter fudge along with more squares of fudge on a wooden tray.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is peanut butter fudge good for?

Peanut butter fudge will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator or for up to 3 months in the freezer.

What’s the best peanut butter for fudge?

Choose a regular, smooth peanut butter such as Skippy or Jif. Do NOT use a natural peanut butter or a drippy peanut butter.

How long does it take for fudge to set?

Fudge will set in about 4 hours at room temperature or 2 hours in the refrigerator. Make sure it’s completely cool and set before slicing.

Why is my fudge not setting?

The fudge was likely not cooked to 235°F. Use a candy thermometer for best results.

Why is my fudge crumbly?

The fudge was likely overcooked, due to a faulty candy thermometer or not using one at all.

More old fashioned candy recipes

Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!

📖 Recipe

four pieces of peanut butter fudge stacked on top of each other on a wooden serving tray.

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge

Published by Kate
This super creamy peanut butter fudge recipe has only 5 ingredients!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 117 pieces
Calories 49 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
  • 4 cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
  • 1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme

Instructions
 

  • Line a 13×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper OR grease with cooking spray.
  • Place evaporated milk, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook until mixture reaches 235°F on a candy thermometer, about 8–12 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and marshmallow creme until completely smooth. Pour into the prepared pan.
  • Allow to cool completely before cutting into 1-inch squares. It will take about 4 hours at room temperature or 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Notes

Tips for getting clean cuts: run a sharp knife under hot water, then wipe clean with a kitchen towel. Slice the fudge, repeating the process as necessary when the knife gets dirty. 
Storage: if you like a softer fudge, keep it at room temperature. If you prefer a more firm fudge, store it in the refrigerator. Either way, keep it in a covered dish and place pieces of wax paper or parchment paper in between layers to prevent sticking. 
Freezing: the fudge can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 49kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 18mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.05mg
Keyword peanut butter fudge
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