If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s secretly effortless, you’re going to fall head over heels for Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge. This is the kind of fudge that brings people together—creamy, rich, bursting with the classic combo of chocolate and peanut butter, all finished with irresistible little bites of peanut butter cups on top! The best part? It comes together in just 15 minutes, no baking required. Whether you’re hosting a get-together, packing school lunches, or simply want a guaranteed hit at the bake sale, Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge is always there to make your day sweeter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things blissfully simple, but every ingredient has its own job and really makes the final fudge shine. You probably already have most of these on hand, and each one helps bring out that dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and unapologetically bold flavor.
- Mini Peanut Butter Cups: Chopped into little bits, these add irresistible pockets of salty sweetness and crunch on top of your fudge.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Acts as both a sweetener and liquid base, giving the fudge its creamy, decadent consistency.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provide deep chocolate flavor that isn’t overwhelmingly sweet—it’s balanced, velvety, and classic.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Lends that signature salty richness, making each piece ultra-smooth and unmistakably peanut buttery.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a touch brightens all the flavors and makes the chocolate and peanut butter sing.
- Salt: A tiny pinch is all you need to enhance chocolate and peanut butter’s best qualities and keep things from tasting flat.
How to Make Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Start by lining the bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, making sure there’s extra hanging over the edges for easy removal later. This step is a lifesaver when it comes time to slice the fudge, and it makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Chop the Peanut Butter Cups
Take those mini peanut butter cups and chop them into small, bite-sized bits. Set them aside for now—you’ll want these ready for the grand finale topping! Think of these as little nuggets of joy scattered all over your fudge.
Step 3: Melt Chocolate and Sweetened Condensed Milk
Grab a large microwave-safe bowl and combine the sweetened condensed milk with the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Microwave on full power for 1 minute, then give everything a good stir. Continue microwaving at 60 percent power for 30-45 second bursts, stirring after each one, until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted. It’s like watching magic happen right in your own kitchen!
Step 4: Stir in Peanut Butter, Vanilla, and Salt
Add the creamy peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt into the warm chocolate mixture. Stir until the whole thing is glossy, unified, and beautifully blended together. At this point, it should smell amazing and look pleasantly thick—resist eating it by the spoonful (or don’t, I won’t judge!).
Step 5: Assemble and Top with Peanut Butter Cups
Quickly scrape the fudge mixture into your prepared pan and smooth it out to the corners. Immediately sprinkle (or gently press) the chopped peanut butter cups all over the top. The fudge begins to set quickly, so don’t dilly-dally at this step if you want those cup bits to “stick” before it firms up!
Step 6: Chill to Set
Pop the pan into the refrigerator uncovered for at least 1 hour, though longer is even better. The waiting is the hardest part, but it’s worth it for that perfect set texture. Once it’s firm, lift the slab out of the pan using your paper or foil overhang, then slice it into 1-inch squares or whatever size you fancy.
How to Serve Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, add a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, a quick drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. These little touches heighten the fudge’s rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors and add a pro-level look.
Side Dishes
Serve Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge as the star on a dessert board beside salty pretzels, fresh fruit (think strawberries or sliced bananas), or classic vanilla ice cream. Each pairing brings out different layers of flavor and helps balance out all that decadence.
Creative Ways to Present
Try packaging the fudge in decorative cellophane bags tied with ribbon for the holidays, stacking pieces in a mason jar as a sweet hostess gift, or creating mini fudge skewers with fresh berries for parties. You can even use it to top brownies, cupcakes, or bowlfuls of ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your finished fudge in an airtight container, layering pieces with wax paper to keep them from sticking. It’s just as happy on the counter as it is in the fridge, and will keep beautifully for up to 2 weeks—though it rarely lasts that long in my house!
Freezing
Want to stash some away for later? No problem! Wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap, pile them in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. When sweet cravings strike, you’re never more than a thaw away from a bite of Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge.
Reheating
You actually don’t need to reheat this fudge—it’s fabulous served cold or at room temperature! If you’ve frozen it, just give it 10-15 minutes on the counter to take the chill off and revive that perfectly creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will give your Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge a little extra crunch and peanut texture. Just know the finished fudge won’t be quite as smooth, but some folks love that added bite.
Do I have to use mini peanut butter cups?
The mini peanut butter cups are decadent, but you can swap in chopped regular peanut butter cups or even peanut butter chips if that’s what you have around. Get creative and try different mix-ins if you like!
How do I keep the fudge from sticking to the pan?
Lining your pan with parchment or foil with some overhang on the sides will make sure the fudge comes out without a struggle. Let it set completely, then use the overhang as handles to lift the fudge out for easy slicing.
Can I make Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge without a microwave?
Yes! You can melt the chocolate and sweetened condensed milk together on the stovetop over low heat. Stir constantly until it’s melted and smooth, then proceed with the rest of the recipe as written.
What’s the best way to slice neat squares?
Use a sharp knife and run it under hot water (then dry it off) between cuts. This gives you super clean edges, making the squares look as stunning as they taste.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely can’t recommend this Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge enough—it’s ridiculously simple, totally crowd-pleasing, and just downright delicious. Treat yourself (and your favorite people) to a batch; once you taste how easy and irresistible it is, I have a feeling you’ll want to make it again and again!
Print
Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 49 squares
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy and delicious Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, a no-bake treat perfect for chocolate-peanut butter lovers. This quick and simple recipe can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Fudge:
- 25–30 Mini Peanut Butter Cups, chopped into small bits
- 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 12 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 3/4 cups Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/8 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Chop Peanut Butter Cups: Chop mini peanut butter cups into small bits.
- Melt Chocolate: In a large microwaveable bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Microwave until melted, stirring in between.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Set Fudge: Transfer mixture to the pan, top with peanut butter cup bits, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Enjoy: Cut into squares and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 49 squares when sliced into 1-inch pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 138 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 67mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.01g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
