Okay, listen up! If you’ve ever thought making fudge was some complicated, fussy ordeal reserved for grandmas and fancy candy shops, you are about to have your mind blown. Seriously. This Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge is the recipe that changed everything for me. It’s so ridiculously simple, so fast, and so unbelievably delicious, it almost feels like cheating. You only need four things you probably already have in your pantry, and you can whip up a batch of creamy, dreamy peanut butter perfection in about 10 minutes flat before it chills.
I remember the first time I made this; I was skeptical. Four ingredients? No way it could be *that* good. But one bite, and I was hooked. Now it’s my go-to whenever I need a quick treat for a potluck, a gift, or just because I have a serious peanut butter craving. Trust me, if I can make this work, you absolutely can too. Get ready to become a fudge-making superstar with zero stress!
Why You’ll Love This Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Seriously, there are so many reasons why this peanut butter fudge will become your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s just… easy! Like, shockingly easy. You’ll love it because:
- It’s crazy quick: We’re talking maybe 10-15 minutes of actual hands-on time. Perfect for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests.
- Only 4 ingredients: That’s it! No obscure extracts or fancy sugars needed. Just the basics.
- It *actually* works: This isn’t one of those “easy” recipes that secretly requires advanced culinary degrees. It really is “Never-Fail” if you follow the simple steps.
- It tastes amazing: Rich, creamy, and packed with that classic peanut butter flavor we all adore.
- It’s a total crowd-pleaser: Kids and adults alike devour this stuff. Be prepared for requests for the recipe!
It takes all the intimidation out of making fudge and leaves you with pure, delicious satisfaction.
What You Need for Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Alright, let’s get down to business. The beauty of this peanut butter fudge is in its simplicity. You truly only need four basic things. Make sure you have these on hand, and you’re golden:
- 1/2 cup butter: You can use either unsalted or salted butter here. I usually just grab whatever’s in the fridge!
- 1/2 cup milk: Whole milk works best for that rich, creamy texture, but 2% will also do in a pinch.
- 1 package (16 ounces) confectioners’ sugar: This is your powdered sugar! If it looks a little clumpy from sitting around, give it a quick sift before you measure.
- 1 cup peanut butter: Now, this is where you get to choose! Smooth or crunchy? Both work wonderfully, so just pick your favorite.
See? That’s it! No long grocery list required. Just these four simple ingredients standing between you and delicious homemade fudge.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Okay, let’s actually *make* this magic happen! This is the part where you blink and suddenly you have fudge ready to chill. It’s seriously that fast. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be a peanut butter fudge pro in no time. Don’t worry, we’ll take it nice and easy, just like I do it in my kitchen.
Melting the Butter and Milk
First things first, grab a good-sized saucepan. You’ll want something big enough because things get a little exciting when you add the sugar later. Toss in your half cup of butter and your half cup of milk. Put the pan over medium heat and just let that butter melt down into the milk. Give it a stir here and there. Keep an eye on it, and once the butter is fully melted, bring that mixture to a rolling boil, stirring constantly so nothing sticks to the bottom.
Combining Ingredients for Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
As soon as it hits that boil, take the pan RIGHT off the heat. Don’t let it boil for long! This is key. Now, quickly dump in your 16 ounces of confectioners’ sugar. And right after that, add your full cup of peanut butter. This is where the arm workout comes in! Grab a sturdy spoon or spatula and stir, stir, stir! You need to keep stirring until everything is completely smooth and there are absolutely no lumps of sugar or streaks of peanut butter left. It will look thick and glossy when it’s ready. This smooth stirring is what gives you that perfect, creamy texture.
Setting and Cutting the Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Okay, your smooth, delicious fudge mixture is ready to go! Quickly pour it into your prepared 8×8 inch pan. Make sure the pan is greased well beforehand so the fudge doesn’t stick. You can smooth the top with your spatula if you like, or just let it be rustic! Now, pop that pan into the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least an hour, or until it feels firm when you gently press the top. Once it’s nice and solid, take it out and cut it into squares. Easy peasy!
Tips for Perfect Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
This recipe is truly “Never-Fail,” but a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years will make sure your peanut butter fudge is absolutely perfect every single time. These aren’t complicated, just little things that make a big difference!
- Grease that pan well: Seriously, take an extra second to really grease your 8×8 inch pan. Butter or cooking spray works great. You want that fudge to pop right out when it’s ready to cut!
- Stir, stir, stir! When you add the sugar and peanut butter, don’t be shy with that spoon. You need to stir until it’s *completely* smooth. No grainy bits allowed! That smooth texture is everything.
- Patience with the chill: I know it’s hard because it smells amazing, but let that fudge chill for the full hour (or even a little longer!). It needs that time in the fridge to firm up properly so you can cut nice, clean squares.
Follow these easy tips, and you’ll have gorgeous, creamy peanut butter fudge ready to enjoy!
Variations for Your Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
While this Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge is absolutely divine on its own, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up a little! The base recipe is super forgiving, so feel free to get a little creative. Adding extras is easy and takes this already amazing fudge to the next level.
My favorite additions are nuts or chocolate chips. If you’re a nutty person, stir in about 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts (or your favorite nut!) right after you’ve stirred the fudge until smooth, just before you pour it into the pan. For all you chocolate lovers, toss in about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of chocolate chips at the same time. The residual heat from the fudge will melt them slightly, creating little pockets of chocolatey goodness. You can even do a mix of both!
Just remember to stir them in gently so they’re distributed throughout the fudge before it starts to set.
Frequently Asked Questions About Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Okay, you’ve made your gorgeous batch of Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge, but maybe a few questions are popping into your head. Totally normal! Here are some things folks often ask about this super simple fudge, and my best answers based on making it way too many times:
How to Store Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge?
This easy peanut butter fudge is best stored in the refrigerator. Once you’ve cut it into squares, just pop them in an airtight container. They’ll stay nice and firm and delicious for about a week (if they last that long!). You can also layer pieces with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
Can I Use Different Types of Milk for This Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge?
I really recommend using whole milk for this recipe. It has the most fat, which contributes to that creamy, smooth texture we’re going for. You *could* try 2% milk, but it might not be quite as rich. Skim milk? Probably not the best choice here; it might make the fudge a little less luxurious and potentially mess with the setting.
Why is My Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Grainy?
Ah, the dreaded grainy fudge! This usually happens if the sugar didn’t fully dissolve. Make sure you bring the butter and milk to a good, rolling boil and stir well. And when you add the sugar and peanut butter, you *really* need to stir until every single bit of sugar is incorporated and the mixture is completely smooth before you pour it into the pan. Don’t rush that stirring step!
Nutritional Information Estimate
Just a quick note about the nutritional facts for this Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge: the numbers you see are just estimates! They can totally change depending on the specific brands of butter, milk, sugar, and peanut butter you use. Think of it as a general idea, not a strict measurement, okay?
Ready to Make Some Fudge Magic?
Seriously, you HAVE to try this Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge. It’s become such a staple in my kitchen, and I just know you’ll love how simple and delicious it is. Give it a go this week! When you do, come back here and tell me all about it in the comments. Did you add chocolate chips? Use crunchy peanut butter? I want to hear your fudge adventures! And if you loved it as much as I do, please consider leaving a rating!
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Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge Sensation
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make delicious peanut butter fudge with only four ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 package (16 ounces) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and add confectioners’ sugar and peanut butter.
- Stir until smooth.
- Pour into a greased 8×8 inch pan.
- Chill for 1 hour or until firm.
- Cut into squares.
Notes
- Use smooth or crunchy peanut butter.
- Add nuts or chocolate chips for variation.
- Store in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: peanut butter fudge, easy fudge, 4 ingredient fudge