3 Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe is the best of all worlds. It's Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge and is also a wonderful candy that's so creamy it almost melts in your mouth. A dessert worth bragging about that just happens to be vegan.
Smooth and creamy peanut butter fudge is a recipe that you just have to have in your recipe box.
There are only 3 ingredients, not counting the water and you sure can't beat that.
I originally made this for the blog over 6 years ago. It is exactly the same recipe but with updated photos (for sure) and much more information about how to make peanut butter fudge.
The original photos are right after the recipe card. They're kind of fun to see. Not too bad for a beginning blogger they just aren't very varied - at all. I think they are all the same picture but in three sizes. Ha!
I knew how to cook but I was learning how to photograph.
Fudge is one of the most popular candies out there. So much so there are full fudge shops around the United States.
It is very rewarding to make your own homemade fudge but it's fun to go to one of these shops once in a while and indulge.
I've been to a few and maybe there is one pretty close to you. Here's a list of about 5 places you might be able to visit.
Table of Contents
The Short List of Ingredients for Peanut Butter Fudge
- Peanut Butter - is creamy and is the star.
- Organic Granulated Sugar - is part of the sweetness that is added to this amazing candy.
- Maple Syrup - rounds out the balanced sweet flavor for this fudge recipe.
- Water - is added for just the right creaminess.
How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge
- Take an 8 by 8 inch baking pan and lay waxed paper or parchment paper across the bottom of the pan.
- Make sure it covers the complete bottom of the pan and over the sides. Press down into the pan with it overlapping the sides at opposite ends because you will use these 'handles' to remove the fudge after it has cooled.
- Boil the sugar, syrup and water together to just about 234°F soft ball stage on a candy thermometer. It will take a little while.
- Boil at an even stage on about a medium-high and don't leave it. Make sure it doesn't boil over. You will probably need to adjust the heat every once in a while but keep at a climbing boil.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and gently drop the peanut butter into the center of the sugar mixture in the pan.
- Do not stir.
- Allow the pan to sit until it is slightly cooled. Just a couple of minutes.
- Start beating thoroughly until well blended. It will start to stiffen a bit.
- Pour into the prepared pan and let cool.
- Remove the fudge from the pan by lifting the two 'handles' of the waxed paper.
- Place on a cutting board and cut into 16 or 25 squares. Depending on the size that you want. The ones in these photos are 25 pieces. So cut in either 4x4 squares for 16 pieces or 5x5 squares for 25 pieces.
So if you're wanting the most delicious creamy peanut butter fudge creams then this is the recipe for you.
📋 Recipe
Peanut butter fudge
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup non-dairy butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups organic powdered sugar
- Crushed peanuts optional for garnish
Instructions
- Add peanut butter and non-dairy butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 2 minutes or until the butter is melted.
- Whisk the butter until well combined.
- Add salt and vanilla extract. Gradually add organic powdered sugar and stir until you have a smooth batter.
- Transfer the mixture to a paper-lined baking dish and smooth the top.
- Refrigerate the fudge for 4 hours.
- Cut the fudge into 24 pieces.
- Serve as desired.
Notes
- Creamy peanut butter – use creamy peanut butter because it will give a smooth texture to the fudge. The chunky peanut butter is not ideal for the fudge, as it will make it harder to cut your fudge in perfect cubes.
- Non-dairy butter – as this is a Vegan recipe, it is natural to use the non-dairy butter. There are many options available. If you want to go with other types of fat, such as coconut oil, you can do that.
- Salt – because of the sugar content, salt is mandatory in this recipe. It will give a nice balance to all that sweetness.
- Vanilla extract – it gives just a bit extra flavor to the fudge, but I highly recommend it.
- Organic powdered sugar – I used powdered sugar because it gives a smooth peanut butter fudge. The plain sugar will make your fudge gritty. If you do not have organic powdered sugar, and you're stuck with plain sugar, then instead of heating your butter in a microwave, do it over the stove. Add sugar and stir until dissolved as much as possible.
- Line your baking pan – you can use parchment paper, or just line your baking pan with plastic foil. Make sure you leave the sides of the parchment paper overhanging as it will be easier for you to remove the fudge.
- How to cut fudge – the fudge is sticky by its nature, and the knife may stick to it. To avoid this, dip a knife in hot water, dry it, and use it to cut a fudge.
- The ideal way to store the fudge is in an airtight container. Make sure you add pieces of parchment paper, between the layers if you are stacking them. The paper will prevent the fudge from sticking.
- If you are hoping to keep your fudge tucked away for some time, storing it in the freezer is a great option. Properly stored fudge will keep for up to 3 months. To serve, leave it for some time at room temperature.
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
I love peanut butter anything! Looks great!
Serene @ House of Yumm
You had me at peanut butter! This looks fantastic Ginny!
Lina
This looks a lot like the vegan peanut butter fudge they used to sell at my Whole Foods. I might have to get brave this season and give it a try.
Katelin
Can you get the mixture hot enough on the stove? I don't have a thermometer.
Ginny McMeans
Yes, you sure can. It just takes as little while as I described. The way to check without a thermometer is take a spoon and dip it in the boiling mixture. Drop a small drop or so into a glass of cold water. It will form a soft but firm ball.
Suzy
Peanut butter fudge has always been my favorite. Thanks for the smooth recipe. Delicious!