✔ Updated · fixed ratios that set firm + storage times
My easy microwave peanut butter fudge needs just five ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on time. Melt, stir, press and chill, with no stovetop and no candy thermometer.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Use equal amounts of butter and peanut butter (1 cup each) to 1 pound of powdered sugar. Less fat than that and the fudge turns dry and crumbly.
Why You'll Love This Peanut Butter Fudge
- Foolproof: no boiling sugar, so it can't seize or turn grainy.
- Five pantry ingredients and one microwave-safe bowl.
- Great for gifting, and it keeps for weeks in the fridge.
What Is Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge?
It is a quick, no-cook-sugar fudge: melted butter and peanut butter thickened with powdered sugar instead of boiled sugar syrup. It’s my emergency dessert, and the result is dense, creamy and soft, with a strong peanut butter flavor, and it sets in the fridge rather than by cooking to a candy temperature.
What You Need
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Unsalted butter: richness and a smooth, creamy set.
- Creamy peanut butter: the main flavor. Regular stabilized peanut butter sets best.
- Powdered sugar: sweetens and firms the fudge without any boiling.
- Vanilla and salt: round out the flavor and balance the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Sift the powdered sugar. Lumps of sugar never dissolve in no-cook fudge, so sifting is the key to a smooth texture. I skipped it once and could feel every lump.
- Use regular creamy peanut butter. Natural peanut butter separates and can make the fudge oily and soft. Crunchy peanut butter works if you like texture.
- Heat in short bursts. Stir every 30 seconds so the butter doesn't splatter or the peanut butter scorch.
- Too soft or too firm? If it won't set, knead in a little more powdered sugar. If it is crumbly, warm it for 10 seconds and stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
- Cut it cold. Use a large knife, warmed under hot water and wiped dry, and wipe it between cuts for clean edges.
Easy Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge
36
pieces10
minutes3
minutes135
kcal2
hours13
minutesCreamy, no-fuss peanut butter fudge made in the microwave: melt butter and peanut butter together, stir in vanilla, salt and sifted powdered sugar, press into a lined 8-inch pan and chill until firm. No candy thermometer needed.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), cut into pieces
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt (skip if your peanut butter is salted)
1 lb powdered sugar, sifted (about 3 3/4 cups)
Directions
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two sides so you can lift the fudge out later.
- Put the butter and peanut butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, then heat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes total.
- Stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Sift the powdered sugar into the bowl in two or three additions, stirring well after each, until you have a thick, smooth, glossy fudge dough with no lumps.
- Scrape the fudge into the lined pan and press it into an even layer with a spatula or a sheet of parchment.
- Refrigerate for about 2 hours, until firm. Lift the fudge out by the parchment and cut it into 36 squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts.
Notes
- Please Note: The butter must be unsalted
- You can have the microwave peanut butter fudge with sweetened condensed milk or without the powdered sugar. You can even add icing as an optional add on.
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How to Store Peanut Butter Fudge
Keep the fudge in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper between layers so the pieces don't stick together. Store it away from heat and sunlight.
| Where | How long | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | About 1 week | Somewhere cool; it softens in a warm kitchen |
| Refrigerator | 2 to 3 weeks | Firmest texture; let it sit 10 minutes before serving |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months | Wrap well; thaw overnight in the fridge |
Peanut Butter Fudge Variations
- Chocolate swirl: drop spoonfuls of melted chocolate on top and swirl with a knife before chilling.
- Crunchy: use crunchy peanut butter or stir in 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts.
- Fluffernutter: fold in 1 cup of mini marshmallows once the fudge has cooled slightly.
- Other nut butters: almond or cashew butter work the same way, with a milder flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make peanut butter fudge in the microwave?
Melt 1 cup of butter with 1 cup of creamy peanut butter in the microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla, a pinch of salt and 1 pound of sifted powdered sugar, press into a lined 8-inch pan and refrigerate for about 2 hours until firm.
Why is my peanut butter fudge crumbly?
Crumbly fudge usually means too much powdered sugar for the amount of fat, or sugar that was measured heavily. Warm the fudge for 10 to 15 seconds, work in 1 to 2 tablespoons of melted butter or peanut butter, press it back into the pan and chill again.
Why won't my peanut butter fudge set?
It usually needs more powdered sugar or more chilling time. Natural, runny peanut butter also makes softer fudge. Knead in extra powdered sugar a few tablespoons at a time until it holds its shape, then chill for at least 2 hours.
How long does microwave peanut butter fudge last?
Store it in an airtight container with parchment between layers. It keeps for about 1 week at cool room temperature, 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, or up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw frozen fudge in the fridge overnight.
Can I add chocolate to this fudge?
Yes. Stir 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the fudge once it has cooled slightly, or melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and spread it over the pressed fudge for a chocolate layer. Chill until both layers are firm before cutting.
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My daughter would make me make this weekly for her. This is so easy
Looks easy & yummy!
Thanks for the recipe! I made some and my husband and son loved it!
Great to hear! It is such a tasty recipe.
I’m going to try this recipe.
Let me know how you get on!
Yummy,my grandson’s would love this!
I tried this is so good and easy thanks for the post
Awesome! Thanks for letting me know.
I could eat this every day! My sister would love it as well.
It’s so good!
My daughter is now making this herself Thanks for recipe
Let me know how she gets on.
This looks yummy!
Such a good recipe!
Seeing this recipe everyday makes me hungry
Looks really tasty
Definitely is.
i might have my girls make this today
Make it! You won’t regret it.
This fudge is to die for! A special thanks for all the different ways to store the fudge and also how to tell if it’s getting spoiled. I wish everyone who posts recipes could be so thoughtful! Merry Christmas!
Looks easy and delicious
fun holiday recipe to do with the kids
LIKE IT
This was a big hit at the Bake sale