Peanut Butter Fudge
Last Updated on February 19, 2022 by Annie
Salty and sweet, this creamy peanut butter fudge is the perfect holiday treat! Made with just 5 ingredients this easy fudge recipe is a vegan and gluten-free treat perfect for the peanut butter lover in your life!
There is something about the holidays that makes me want to make fudge. I think it has to do with the fact that every holiday season my family would make little homemade dessert plates for our friends and teachers. Fantasy fudge and chocolate-dipped pretzels were at the top of the list every year.
When it came time to make the fudge for these plates, my mom would dig out the candy thermometer and there would be stacks of marshmallow fluff on the counter just waiting to be scooped into the fudge. While we didn’t often get to help with the fudge making we certainly got to be the “taste-testers” and sneak the pieces that didn’t meet the quality standard.
As I start thinking about the family traditions I want to keep and pass down, making fudge at the holidays to share with others is at the top of the list. It’s also one of the main reasons I began making holiday cookie boxes as a way to share my favorite holiday treats with the ones I love even when they live far away.
Why We LOVE This Vegan Fudge
- Quick prep time. With just under 5 minutes of work you can have this vegan fudge chilling for your next dessert.
- 5 ingredinets. It takes just a handful of ingredients to make this recipe.
- Great for gifting. Feel free to box this fudge up and share it with a friend.
- Kid friendly. Since this recipe involves the microwave, it’s an easy one to allow your little ones to help with in the kitchen.
How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Peanut Butter– I used a creamy store-brand peanut butter for this recipe. I would not recommend using an all-natural peanut butter as it might be too thick and grainy.
- Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk– Used to sweeten the fudge without adding any dairy.
- Vanilla– For a boost of flavor.
- Salt– Added into the fudge base as well as sprinkled on top for the right balance of salty and sweet.
- Salted Peanuts– An optional addition if you want to mix some salted peanuts inside the fudge or sprinkle some on top.
Directions for Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge
- Get pan ready: Prepare a square baking dish by lining with parchment paper then set aside.
- Microwave: In a microwave safe bowl, heat peanut butter and sweetened condensed coconut milk for 30 seconds.
- Stir + reheat: Stir and heat again for another 30 seconds. Depending on your microwave you may need more or less, just keep an eye on it.
- Add some flavor: Remove from the microwave, stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Transfer: Pour the vegan peanut butter fudge into the baking pan and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Optional: Top with chopped salted peanuts.
- Chill to set: Refrigerate or freeze until set.
- Serve: Slice into squares and enjoy!
Dairy-Free Changes to Peanut Butter Fudge
A simple 1 ingredient swap made this easy peanut butter fudge possible.
- Sweetened condensed coconut milk. Many quick fudge recipes rely on sweetened condensed milk to create a sweet creamy texture. For this recipe I swapped out the sweetened condensed milk for a coconut milk version and it worked beautifully.
If you are like me and enjoy a sweet indulgent treat from time to time, it might be worth your while to invest in the 12-pack of sweetened condensed coconut milk. Some other recipes you can use sweetened condensed coconut milk include Magic Cookie Bars, Easy Chocolate Fudge, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge.
Storing and Freezing
This fudge is naturally pretty soft so the best place for storage is either the refrigerator or the freezer.
- Storing: Store sliced fudge in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Freezing: For longer storage keep your peanut butter fudge in the freezer for up to 3 months (not that it will last that long…)
Troubleshooting Peanut Butter Fudge
Why is my peanut butter fudge grainy?
There are a few reasons for grainy fudge. First you might have over-microwaved the peanut butter with the sweetened condensed coconut milk for too long. Alternatively in between heatings if you stir too much you can cause crystals to form making it a bit grainy.
Another reason your peanut butter fudge might be grainy is if you used an all-natural instead of a generic creamy peanut butter.
Why won’t my peanut butter fudge harden?
Typically peanut butter fudge hardens when it reaches a high enough heat. To make sure your fudge heats properly, microwave in 30-second intervals and stir between heating sessions. About 1 minute should do it. The fudge hardens/sets while it cools.
If the microwave fudge still doesn’t set, it can easily be stored in the refrigerator or freezer but just might be a little soft when you eat it.
More Decadent Fudge Recipes
If you tried this delicious Peanut Butter Fudge and enjoyed it, feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!
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Peanut Butter Fudge
Soft, creamy, salty, and sweet this easy vegan peanut butter fudge makes the perfect holiday treat for the peanut butter lovers in your life.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Peanut Butter creamy
- 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Salted Peanuts optional
Instructions
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Prepare a square baking dish by lining with parchment paper. Set aside.
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In a microwave safe bowl, heat peanut butter and sweetened condensed coconut milk for 30 seconds.
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Stir and heat again for another 30 seconds. Depending on your microwave you may need more or less, just keep an eye on it.
-
Remove from the microwave, stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
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Pour the vegan peanut butter fudge into the baking pan and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
-
Optional– Top with chopped salted peanuts.
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Refrigerate or freeze until set. Slice into squares and enjoy!
