• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Fox Valley Foodie
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About the Fox Valley Foodie
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge

    Published: Jul 1, 2021 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Old fashioned peanut butter fudge

    This old fashioned peanut butter fudge is just like the smooth and creamy sweet treat your grandma made. Best of all, this easy dessert only requires a few simple ingredients and it is a pretty easy recipe to follow. Even if your grandma never made this for your whole family, now is your chance to create a new family favorite to enjoy during the holidays or any time of year!

    Old fashioned peanut butter fudge on wax paper.

    Ingredients Needed

    • Brown sugar
    • White sugar
    • Milk
    • Creamy Peanut butter
    • Butter
    • Vanilla extract
    • Salt

    Equipment Needed

    Unless you are an experienced fudge maker, you will need a digital thermometer for this old fashioned fudge recipe. You can use a candy thermometer, but any old meat thermometer works just as well.

    Although this recipe technically can be mixed by hand, your arm will feel like it is falling off by the time you are finished. A stand mixer will make this recipe effortless. Even using an electric hand mixer would make a huge difference.

    How to make it

    Important: For best results read the whole recipe for this easy peanut butter fudge and prep your ingredients and equipment ahead of time to ensure the cooking process doesn't get interrupted.

    To begin combine sugar, salt, and milk in a medium saucepan, then set over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and stop stirring when the mixture boils to prevent sugar crystals from forming in the sugar.

    Continue to boil for approximately five minutes, until the mixture reaches 234 degrees when tested with a thermometer. This is known as reaching the soft ball stage in candy making, where sugar is between 234 - 240 degrees. At this temperature, the sugar has concentrated to 85%.

    Tip: If you don't have a thermometer, you can check the temperature of the boiling sugar by using the cold water test. During the soft-ball stage your sugar mixture will transform into a soft ball when a small amount is placed in cold water. At the proper temperature it will be sticky, yet pliable, and hold together when picked up out of the water.

    Immediately transfer the sugar mixture to the bowl of your stand mixer, without scraping the sides of the pot, along with peanut butter, vanilla, and butter. Set your mixer to medium-low and let it mix for approximately seven minutes. The mixing cools the fudge down and thickens it. It is done mixing when the peanut butter mixture has thickened but still remains pourable.

    At this point, the fudge can be poured into a medium pan or baking dish to cool. It is best to line the pan with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap to ensure it doesn't stick. Let cool at room temperature for two to three hours, then slice and enjoy this wonderful fudge with friends and family.

    Family favorite fudge slices.

    How to store fudge

    Your peanut butter fudge does not need to be refrigerated. It can be stored on the countertop in an airtight container. Keeping your batch of fudge at room temperature helps it retain the best texture, and the airtight container will prevent it from drying out. Fudge can last a week or two, but this delicious fudge most likely will be consumed within a couple of days if your family has a sweet tooth like mine!

    Can fudge be frozen?

    Yes, your homemade peanut butter fudge can be frozen. This is a good way to preserve it if you wish to make a large batch in advance for the holiday season. To freeze, wrap the fudge in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe container.

    Pieces of peanut butter fudge stacked on top of each other.

    More Old Fashioned Recipes

    • Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak
    • Old Fashioned Fruitcake Recipe
    • Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned
    • Beef Stroganoff from Scratch

    Can you do me a favor? If you enjoyed my post would you mind sharing it with your friends? You can see more of my recipes by liking me on Facebook and follow me on Pinterest too. Otherwise, stay up to date by getting each new post sent directly to your inbox by subscribing today.

    Old fashioned peanut butter fudge recipe.

    Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge

    This old fashioned peanut butter fudge is just like the smooth and creamy treat your grandma made.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Cooling: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 266kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Equipment

    • Stand Mixer
    • Thermometer

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
    • 1 ½ cups white sugar
    • ¾ cup milk
    • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Add white and brown sugar to a medium saucepan with milk and salt.
    • Stir together with a wooden spoon or silicon spatula and heat over medium heat until boiling, then stop stirring and continue heating until the temperature reads 234 degrees when checked with a candy thermometer.
    • Remove sugar mixture from heat and pour the hot mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer along with peanut butter, vanilla extract, and butter.
    • Set the mixer on medium-low and let mix for approximately seven minutes. The fudge is done mixing when it has thickened, but still remains pourable.
    • Pour the fudge into a medium pan lined with wax paper to cool. Let cool at room temperature for 2-3 hours, then slice and enjoy.

    Notes

    Optional: While cooling you can place chocolate, nuts, or crushed candy bars on top of the fudge for additional flavor and texture.

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    Get My FREE eCookbook

    mailer

    Subscribe to FoxValleyFoodie.com and get each tantalizing new post sent directly to your inbox, along with my complementary eCookbook just for signing up!

    « Edible Cookie Dough without Brown Sugar
    Wagyu Beef Burger with Caramelized Onions »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mavis

      October 01, 2021 at 10:15 pm

      Can you better define what a 'medium size pan' is? A 9 x 13? Or something smaller? I love old fashioned recipes and look forward to trying this. Thanks!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Subscribe

    15834

    Get each tantalizing new recipe

    sent directly to your inbox.

    AND GET MY eCOOKBOOK FREE!

    Search for your favorite post!

    Popular Recipes

    Homemade mozzarella sticks with string cheese

    Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Secret Ingredient

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf - With a Secret Ingredient

    How to make paprika

    How to Make Paprika

    Close up Sloppy Joes

    Homemade Sloppy Joes - Better Than Manwich

    Fried chicken gizzards recipe.

    Fried Chicken Gizzards

    Venison Meatloaf Recipe

    Venison Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs - Bone In

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs (Bone-In)

    Big Mac Sauce Copycat Recipe

    McDonald's Big Mac Sauce (Copycat Recipe)

    As featured in yahoo, buzzfeed, oprah, msn and more!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Fox Valley Foodie, LLC

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme