Easy Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge

This speedy microwave peanut butter fudge recipe proves you can create smooth, creamy, rich fudge in mere minutes.

With just four ingredients and five minutes of your time, this easy recipe comes together in the microwave before you can even finish your coffee!

Microwave fudge recipes don't always turn out great - the texture can be gritty and disappointing. But this fool-proof peanut butter fudge breaks the mould. The key is using icing sugar, which helps achieve that signature velvety texture.

For more easy homemade sweets, try this classic coconut ice recipe, or these luxurious date balls.

Key ingredient notes and substitutions

**Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full list of ingredients.

Peanut butter

For this recipe, we use smooth peanut butter which gives you a velvety, creamy texture. Feel free to use crunchy peanut butter if you want something with a bit more bite.

Butter

When it comes to the butter, go for unsalted. Since peanut butter can be quite salty on its own, unsalted helps keep the fudge from winding up too salty overall.

Vanilla extract

A splash of vanilla extract adds a lovely warm flavour.

Discover how to easily create high-quality, pure vanilla extract at home and save money in the long run.

Icing sugar

The icing sugar is the real secret weapon here. Also called powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar, it melts smoothly into the other ingredients rather than leaving behind gritty granules like regular white sugar would.

We recommend sifting the icing sugar if you can, to avoid any grainy bits in the fudge. But if you can't be bothered or don't have a sieve, just break up any visible lumps with a fork before adding everything else.

How to make peanut butter microwave fudge

1. First, line a 20cm/8 inch square tin with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.

2. Next, sift the icing sugar into a large bowl. If you don't want to sift, at least use a fork to break up any visible lumps in the sugar before using.

3. Add the unsalted butter, peanut butter and vanilla extract to a microwave-safe bowl.

4. Microwave for 2 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until melted and liquidy.

5. Give the mixture a good stir with a spatula or spoon until thoroughly combined and smooth.

6. Pour this melted peanut butter mixture into the bowl of icing sugar.

7. Stir everything together, making sure to fully incorporate all of the icing sugar, including any leftovers on the bottom of the bowl.

8. Using a squishing motion with the spatula helps force the icing sugar into the mixture.

9. Keep mixing until you have an evenly smooth texture throughout.

10. Spoon the fudge mixture into the prepared tin.

11. Push it into the corners and level off the top. An offset spatula is ideal for creating a nice smooth surface.

12. Cover the tin with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up and cool down - longer is even better.

13. Once set, lift it out onto a cutting board. Score lines on top for where you want to slice.

14. If you slice the slab of fudge into 8x8 strips, you will be able to get 64 small squares of fudge out of this recipe. 6x6 strips will give you 36 larger pieces of fudge.

15. Cut into neat pieces with a large, sharp kitchen knife.

Variations

This delicious, creamy peanut butter fudge is perfect on its own, but here are some ideas for add-ins and add-ons.

• Add in chopped peanuts or milk or white chocolate chips.

• Top with chopped peanuts before putting it in the fridge.

• Add a layer of melted chocolate before putting it in the fridge.

• Top fudge with chopped Hersey's chocolates.

• Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

• Crumble the fudge over vanilla ice cream.

• Stir in crushed pretzels or chopped toffee.

• Swirl in Nutella or marshmallow creme (fluff)

• Swap out peanut butter for other nut butter like almond or cashew.

Serving and gifting suggestions

• Makes perfect gifts around the holiday season when wrapped up in pretty, small boxes, gift bags or cellophane.

• Makes delicious treats as an easy dessert for a picnic or a camping trip.

• Instead of small individual pieces, slice the fudge into bars, wrap them in brown paper and tie with some butcher's string or a ribbon.

• A homemade fudge gift looks very pretty in a mason jar with a handmade label attached to it.

• Tie a recipe card to the gift so they can make it themselves.

• Present in a basket along with other homemade treats.

• Place in colourful cupcake liners or miniature baking cups.

• Fill shaped silicone moulds like hearts for Valentine’s Day gifts.

Storage

Store in an airtight container. A rigid plastic or glass storage container with a tight-fitting lid works best to prevent the fudge from drying out. You can keep the fudge at room temperature for one week or three weeks in the fridge.

Add a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper directly on top of the fudge before sealing the container. This creates a barrier against air exposure.

Freeze for longer-term storage. Fudge can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.

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