Sometimes the best desserts come from the simplest recipes. This Never-Fail 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge proves that creamy, dreamy perfection doesn’t require a dozen steps or complicated ingredients. In fact, you only need four basic pantry staples and about 10 minutes of hands-on time to create a melt-in-your-mouth treat that everyone will love.

This recipe has been passed down in countless kitchens — the kind of old-fashioned fudge your grandmother used to make for holidays, bake sales, or rainy afternoons. The beauty lies in its simplicity: sugar, milk, peanut butter, and a touch of vanilla. No candy thermometer. No fancy equipment. Just pure peanut butter bliss that never fails.

🥜 Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup milk (whole or 2% works best)
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (use smooth, not natural-style)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)

That’s it — just four ingredients to create the creamiest, richest fudge imaginable!

🍯 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter. This makes it easy to lift the fudge out once it’s set. If you like thicker pieces, use a smaller pan; for thinner squares, use a 9×9 pan.

Step 2: Boil the Sugar and Milk

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and milk. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Once it begins to bubble, stop stirring and allow it to come to a rolling boil for exactly 2½ to 3 minutes.

This step is key — boiling too short makes it soft and sticky; too long, and it can become crumbly. If you’re unsure, aim for that sweet spot: a thick, glossy syrup that coats the spoon but still drips easily.

Step 3: Mix in Peanut Butter and Vanilla

Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract (if using). Work fast — the mixture will start to thicken immediately. Stir until smooth and creamy, with no visible streaks of peanut butter.

Step 4: Pour and Set

Pour the warm mixture into your prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Let it cool at room temperature for about 1–2 hours, or place it in the fridge for a quicker set. Once firm, lift it out using the parchment paper and cut it into bite-sized squares.

The texture should be rich, creamy, and perfectly sliceable — not dry or crumbly. Each piece melts on your tongue with that signature peanut butter flavor.

💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Fudge

• Use creamy peanut butter: Stick to regular brands like Jif or Skippy — natural or “just peanuts” types separate and can make the fudge greasy.
• Boil accurately: The short boiling time is the secret to smooth, fail-proof fudge. Set a timer for best results.
• Don’t stir while boiling: Stirring can cause sugar crystals to form, leading to a grainy texture.
• Customize the flavor: Add a pinch of sea salt, a drizzle of honey, or even a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips for extra decadence.

🍬 Why It’s Called “Never-Fail”

Traditional fudge recipes often rely on candy thermometers and precise soft-ball stages — a process that can intimidate beginner bakers. But this recipe skips all of that! By using the right ratio of sugar to milk and peanut butter, it naturally thickens and sets to a creamy consistency every time. Even if you’re new to candy-making, you’ll get beautiful fudge that slices perfectly and never separates or turns grainy.

🍫 Variations to Try

• Chocolate Swirl: Melt ½ cup chocolate chips and swirl it through the top of the fudge before it sets.
• Crunchy Twist: Use crunchy peanut butter or stir in ½ cup chopped peanuts for extra texture.
• Marbled Fudge: Combine white chocolate and peanut butter fudge layers for a stunning visual effect.
• Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Fudge: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before chilling.

🍽️ How to Serve It

Peanut butter fudge is a sweet treat that fits almost any occasion. Serve it after dinner with coffee, pack it into holiday boxes for gifting, or bring a batch to potlucks and parties. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears faster than you expect — especially when cut into bite-sized cubes!

For presentation, line a serving plate with parchment paper, dust lightly with powdered sugar, and arrange the squares neatly. You can even drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an elegant touch.

🧊 Storage Tips

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5–7 days. Keep pieces separated with parchment paper layers to prevent sticking.
• Refrigerate: If you prefer firmer fudge, keep it chilled for up to 2 weeks.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

🎉 A Sweet Little Story

Every family has a “never-fail” recipe — the one that’s passed from kitchen to kitchen, scribbled on a flour-dusted index card. This peanut butter fudge is one of those. Many home cooks first learned it as children, standing on a stool beside their grandmother, helping stir the bubbling pot and sneaking tastes off the spoon. There’s nostalgia in every square — that comforting smell of sugar and peanut butter swirling together, reminding us that joy doesn’t have to be complicated.

Over the years, people have dressed it up with toppings or swirls, but the core recipe remains untouched. It’s more than a sweet — it’s a small piece of history that connects generations through taste and tradition.

🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Only 4 simple ingredients.
• Ready in under 15 minutes (plus cooling time).
• No candy thermometer or complex steps.
• Perfect for holidays, parties, or everyday indulgence.
• Rich, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture every time.

💬 Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for a simple, old-fashioned dessert that always delivers, this Never-Fail Peanut Butter Fudge deserves a spot in your recipe box. It’s the ultimate comfort treat — creamy, rich, and just the right amount of sweet. Whether you’re making it for family, friends, or your own midnight cravings, it’s impossible not to fall in love with every bite.

And when someone inevitably asks for the recipe (because they will), you can smile and say, “It’s only four ingredients — and it never fails.” 💛