My 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe At A Glance
Primary Cooking Method: Microwave
Number of Ingredients: 3
Total Prep Time: 2 hours and 7 minutes with chill time
Total Cook Time: 2 minutes
Level of Effort To Make: Easy Peasy
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This peanut butter fudge is dangerous. Especially if you are trying to avoid a big back.. ha! It’s so easy to make before you know it, you’ve (okay, I’ve) eaten half the pan. This is the third recipe in my little 3-ingredient fudge series (I’ve got a 3-ingredient vanilla fudge and of course a 3-ingredient chocolate fudge) , and it might be the one I make the most—partly because it’s my kids’ favorite, but also because I’m a sucker for anything peanut butter.
What I really love about this fudge recipe is how easy it is to change up. Don’t have peanut butter? Swap it for almond butter, or heck, even cookie butter, if you like it. (I am low-key obsessed with it.)
Any who this 3 ingredient PB fudge is the kind of treat you can throw together in 5, and eat in 3 mins which is probably why it never lasts long in my house.
3 Ingredients to make Peanut Butter Fudge
- 1 cup unsalted butter: Use unsalted to control the saltiness of your fudge. If you only have salted butter, it’ll work, but the flavor will be slightly saltier—skip adding extra salt elsewhere.
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter: Classic creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth fudge. If you want to experiment, you can swap it with almond butter, sunflower butter, cashew butter or even cookie butter for a unique twist. Avoid natural peanut butter with separated oils, as it can mess with the texture.
- 3 cups powdered sugar: Sift the powdered sugar to avoid lumps and keep the fudge silky smooth. No powdered sugar? You can make your own by blending granulated sugar until fine, but the texture won’t be quite the same.
Make This Recipe Yours With Additions
- Chopped Nuts: Stir in ½ cup of chopped peanuts, almonds.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips.
- Sea Salt: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before the fudge sets for that sweet-and-salty combo.
- Marshmallows: Add 1 cup of mini marshmallows for a soft, gooey texture.
- Candy Pieces: Mix in ½ cup of chopped Reese’s, M&Ms, or your favorite candy for an extra treat.
- Coconut: Toss in ½ cup of shredded coconut for a tropical flair—sweetened or unsweetened, your choice.
- Cinnamon or Vanilla: ½ teasppon of of cinnamon or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract can subtly elevate the flavor.
- Drizzle: Once set, drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel.
How to make 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
For detailed step-by-step instructions, be sure to check out the full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
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My Best Cooking Tips for Making 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
- Sift the Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest fudge texture, sift the powdered sugar before mixing it in. Lumps can mess with that velvety finish.
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Let the butter and peanut butter come to room temp before microwaving. It melts more evenly and helps prevent scorching.
- Don’t Overheat the Mixture: Microwave in short bursts—start with one minute, then 30 seconds at a time. Stir between each interval to avoid burning.
- Line Your Pan Properly: Use foil or parchment paper with overhang for easy removal. Trust me, prying fudge out of a pan is not fun.
- Cut neat squares: Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts for neat, picture-perfect squares.
How to store 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Room Temperature: Store your peanut butter fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent it from softening too much.
Refrigerator: If your kitchen runs warm or you like firmer fudge, store it in the fridge. Place the fudge in an airtight container with layers of parchment or wax paper between pieces to prevent sticking. It’ll keep for up to 2 weeks this way.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the fudge. Wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or wax paper, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before enjoying.
Serving Tip: If refrigerated or frozen, let the fudge sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly. This brings back that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture!
Quick Recipe Help and Common Questions
Why is my fudge grainy?
Graininess usually happens if the powdered sugar wasn’t properly sifted or fully mixed in. Always sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the melted peanut butter and butter mixture. Also, ensure you mix thoroughly with the paddle attachment to avoid any lumps.
Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?
Yes, but natural peanut butter tends to be runnier and may require extra powdered sugar to set properly. Stir the peanut butter well before using, and adjust the consistency by adding powdered sugar a little at a time if needed.
Why does my fudge taste too sweet?
This recipe is sweet by design, but you can balance the flavor by using salted butter or adding a pinch of salt to the mixture. If you’re using cookie butter or a sweeter nut butter, the sweetness may be amplified.
More 3 Ingredient Sweets & Treats Recipes
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3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Never Lose This Recipe—Email It to Yourself!
Make sure you have it when you need it! Bonus: You’ll get family-approved recipes and meal-planning tips, too!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted (measured before sifting)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8×8-inch or similar-sized pan with foil or parchment paper. Spray lightly with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Melt the butter and peanut butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of creamy peanut butter. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute and stir well. If needed, heat for an additional 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Mix with powdered sugar: Pour the melted mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add in 3 cups of powdered sugar. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until everything is fully combined and smooth.
- Transfer to the pan: Scoop the fudge mixture into the prepared pan. Press it evenly into the bottom to create a smooth layer.
- Set the fudge: Allow the fudge to set at room temperature for about 4 hours, or refrigerate it for about 2 hours until firm.
- Slice and serve: Once set, slice the fudge into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Sift the Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest fudge texture, sift the powdered sugar before mixing it in. Lumps can mess with that velvety finish.
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Let the butter and peanut butter come to room temp before microwaving. It melts more evenly and helps prevent scorching.
- Don’t Overheat the Mixture: Microwave in short bursts—start with one minute, then 30 seconds at a time. Stir between each interval to avoid burning.
- Line Your Pan Properly: Use foil or parchment paper with overhang for easy removal. Trust me, prying fudge out of a pan is not fun.
- Cut neat squares: Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts for neat, picture-perfect squares.
Additions
- Chopped Nuts: Stir in ½ cup of chopped peanuts, almonds.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips.
- Sea Salt: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before the fudge sets for that sweet-and-salty combo.
- Marshmallows: Add 1 cup of mini marshmallows for a soft, gooey texture.
- Candy Pieces: Mix in ½ cup of chopped Reese’s, M&Ms, or your favorite candy for an extra treat.
- Coconut: Toss in ½ cup of shredded coconut for a tropical flair—sweetened or unsweetened, your choice.
- Cinnamon or Vanilla: ½ teasppon of of cinnamon or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract can subtly elevate the flavor.
- Drizzle: Once set, drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Made this pb fudge this weekend along with your chocolate fudge recipe for a get together and it turned out great, didn’t have a piece left to take home!
Yay! So glad everyone enjoyed it!
Made this for a teacher gift and they loved it! I also ate several pieces 😅
Haha love it! It is so hard to only eat one!
Delicious and so easy to make!
So glad you liked it!
I actually took this fudge and covered it with chocolate and let it harden into little candies. I took it to work and got so many complaints!! Thank you for the recipe!
Ooo I love that idea!! Thank you for sharing with your coworkers!!