Easy Peanut Butter Fudge with Marshmallow Cream

Learn how to make easy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream (sometimes spelled creme) using the fantasy fudge recipe you might remember from your youth. Made with simple ingredients, this recipe for peanut butter fudge comes together quickly. The only challenge is waiting for this peanut butter marshmallow fudge to cool before you have some! Sometimes known as peanut butter fudge with marshmallow creme or peanut butter fudge with marshmallow fluff, the marshmallow cream in this original fantasy fudge recipe is the key to a creamy, rich, delicious peanut butter fudge experience. Ready to make the best easy peanut butter fudge? Read on!

 

My Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Backstory

I used to make as many kinds of candy as possible. It was too much. Our family decided that each person would get to choose one kind of candy, and with our family of four, that seemed very reasonable.  Now it’s a family tradition. Two of us chose this easy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream (sometimes called marshmallow fluff fudge). Rather than make a double batch, I chose another kind of candy, but this easy marshmallow cream peanut butter fudge and evaporated milk is really my favorite. How do you make this easy peanut butter fudge from scratch? Read on to learn how to make easy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream!

How Much do I Like This Easy Peanut Butter Fudge?

There is a scene in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe where the White Witch is trying to persuade Edmund to betray his siblings. She promised him Turkish delight. I used to imagine that Turkish delight was something like the peanut butter fudge I adore so much. Not true. I was sorely disappointed to find out that Turkish delight is nothing like peanut butter fudge. Had I been in Edmund’s place, I would not have had any problem refusing the wicked queen’s offer over Turkish delight (once I found out what it really was), but if I had been offered some of this peanut butter fudge, hmmm…no, of course I would not betray my family over peanut butter fudge, but I do really like to eat it. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe for peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream and evaporated milk.

Ingredients for Easy Peanut Butter Fudge with Marshmallow Cream

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter (real butter is best in this recipe if you have it)

5 ounces evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup, and please do not use sweetened condensed milk)

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

1 7-ounce jar marshmallow creme

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions for Easy Peanut Butter Fudge with Marshmallow Cream

Line a 9 by 9-inch square baking pan with foil, or do the same with an 8 by 11-inch pan. Extend the foil slightly over the end of the pan, so that the peanut butter fudge using marshmallow cream will be easy to lift out later if you need to store the fudge in another container.

Bring sugar, butter, and evaporated milk to a rolling boil in a large (mine is 2 and 3/4-quart-sized) saucepan on medium heat.

Stir the mixture constantly.

Keep stirring and boil for 4 minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees.

Remove the pan from the heat.

Stir in the peanut butter and marshmallow creme and keep stirring until both are melted. Add vanilla and mix well.

Pour into prepared pan, spreading to cover the pan completely.

Cool for a few hours before cutting the marshmallow creme peanut butter fudge into small squares. I cut mine into 80 pieces.

If you need to put the fudge in a different container for storage, lift the fudge out of the pan (using foil handles) before cutting.

An Important Fudge-Making Tip

Timing is key to getting the texture right in this peanut butter fudge made with marshmallow cream. To ensure the process goes smoothly, I measure out the peanut butter and have it ready beforehand. I have the jar of marshmallow creme open and ready to go.

When I get to the step where I need to stir in the peanut butter and marshmallow creme, I am able to do that right away. The ingredients melt more quickly that way. I don’t want the fudge to cool too much before pouring it into the pan.

What is the Best Peanut Butter for Peanut Butter Fudge?

I definitely recommend creamy peanut butter for this recipe. Any brand of creamy peanut butter is fine. What makes this peanut butter fudge recipe with marshmallow cream so delicious, in my opinion, is the creamy texture, so the creamy option is the better choice.

Can I Use Peanut Butter Chips Instead of Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter chips would be an acceptable substitute for the peanut butter in this peanut butter fudge recipe. It’s easy to open a package of peanut butter chips and add them in instead of the peanut butter. It would be a bit less messy, but the texture might not be quite as creamy. If you are short on time, certainly you can give the peanut butter chip idea a try.

How Long will Peanut Butter Fudge with Fluff Last in the Refrigerator?

This easy marshmallow peanut butter fudge will last in the refrigerator for about a month. We rarely have any that makes it that long. It gets devoured long before a month has passed!

Does Peanut Butter Fudge Need to be Refrigerated?

You can keep peanut butter fudge on the counter for about a week. For longer-lasting fudge, refrigeration is best. This fudge tends to be very soft, which I love, but it’s easier to cut and eat when it is refrigerated.

Is Marshmallow Fluff the Same as Marshmallow Creme?

Yes, the two terms are interchangeable. Some brands label the jar Marshmallow Fluff, and others label the jar Marshmallow Creme. The ingredients are the same. Marshmallow fluff peanut butter fudge is the same as marshmallow cream peanut butter fudge.

Can you use Marshmallows Instead of Marshmallow Fluff for Marshmallow Peanut Butter Fudge?

Yes, and that is great because I always have leftover partial bags of marshmallows lying around from making s’mores. How many marshmallows should you use to make peanut butter fudge with marshmallows? That brings us to the next question.

How Many Marshmallows Equal a Jar of Marshmallow Creme?

One 10-ounce package of regular marshmallows equals one 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme. Four cups of mini marshmallows equals one 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme. I’m so glad. People always tell me to make rice crispy treats with the leftover marshmallows, but there are only so many of those I can make. No more leftover marshmallows getting forgotten since I can use them in this easy peanut butter fudge!

How Can I Get my Fudge to Harden?

How do you fix peanut butter fudge that didn’t set? Put it in the microwave, add some powdered sugar and a little butter. Heat for about 30 seconds, stir and heat some more if needed, 30 seconds at a time until you have a smooth consistency. Of course, with this recipe, you would have to pour the fudge into a microwave-safe bowl to heat, then pour back into the pan. The peanut butter fudge recipe that was supposed to be easy didn’t set because the sugar, butter, and evaporated milk weren’t boiled long enough.

Why is my Peanut Butter Fudge Dry and Crumbly?

That’s what happens if you boil peanut butter fudge too long. How do you know when peanut butter fudge is bad? It becomes grainy. Texture is everything when it comes to fudge. I have not had fudge become grainy since I started using a candy thermometer. Some candy thermometers say “soft ball”. How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can follow the recipe directions and boil the sugar, butter, and evaporated milk for four minutes. For best results, use a candy thermometer like this one.

In fact, this one is exactly like mine. It’s not a fancy digital model, but I like it because I can clip it to the side of the saucepan and watch the temperature rise. I know when I am getting close to the right temperature. With the digital kind, it seems as if I would have to keep taking the temperature constantly. Most of the digital models I’ve seen don’t have a handy clip to attach the thermometer to a pan. This one has worked well for me for years, and I highly recommend it. 

Can You Soften Hard Peanut Butter Fudge?

How do you soften hard fudge? Here’s how! To soften hard peanut butter fudge, you can return the fudge to a microwave-safe bowl. Add about 1 tablespoon butter or vegetable oil. Microwave the fudge for about 30 seconds and stir. Repeat for another 30 seconds if needed, stirring again afterward. When you think you have reached the desired consistency, return the fudge to the pan and allow to cool once again. I sometimes have to do this reheating with oil when I am melting chocolate, as I wrote about in this Nutter Butter Christmas Cookie post.

Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Fudge After You Make It?

You can freeze fudge. The best way to freeze it is to wrap it well in foil, then freeze it in a block. Thaw before cutting, and enjoy!

Can I Make This Easy Peanut Butter Fudge in the Microwave?

You can make a microwave peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream recipe, but it’s a little tricky because you have to take the mixture out to check it with a candy thermometer. Melt the butter for 1 minute in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add sugar and evaporated milk. Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes, then stir.  Cook for 2 more minutes and stir. Cook for 3 more minutes, then stir. Cook for 2 more minutes, stir and check with a candy thermometer. If you need to, cook 1 more minute or until the candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees. Microwaves vary, so the heating time might vary as well. When the mixture has reached the desired temperature, stir in the peanut butter and marshmallow creme. When those ingredients are melted, stir in the vanilla and pour into a prepared pan, just as you would with the regular recipe.

Looking for Other Easy Treat Ideas?

Decadent milk chocolate toffee is always a hit around here, and makes a great gift, as does a box of homemade chocolate orange truffles, dark chocolate raspberry truffles, white chocolate raspberry truffles, or a bag of dark chocolate peppermint bark. You might also like to try making chocolate scotcheroos, which are great for camping or for parties. Put all of these treat recipes together for a handmade chocolate gift box.

Add some fun to movie night with cashew caramel corn. Bake up some easy cookies with a 3-ingredient, versatile recipe. If you like making fudge, try substituting the peanut butter in this recipe with semi-sweet chocolate chips and adding chopped nuts, but omitting the vanilla. For chocolate peanut butter fudge, substitute 3/4 cup of chocolate chips for 3/4 cup of the peanut butter. Delicious! You could also try making white chocolate cranberry swirl fudge by adapting this easy fudge recipe with marshmallow cream.

Are You Now Craving Easy Peanut Butter Fudge?

Easy peanut butter fudge is just one of the many simple recipes on the Fluxingwell website. Get your own cookbook filled with some of the most popular recipe ideas for appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts. Cook smarter, not harder!

I need more easy recipes in my life!

 

More Food Inspiration

Thinking of working easy peanut butter fudge into your tea party, picnic, potluck, snack, or dessert recipe collection? It’s always nice to have a plan when it comes to meals or parties. If you’re looking for a way to get more organized with your meal-planning efforts, I’ve got something for you. Free, editable meal planners! The templates can be used over and over, as often as you need them. You can make as many duplicates as you like, and you’ll be able to save old meal plans for future reference. I hope it simplifies things for you.

Get my digital, editable, printable templates!

 

Have a fabulous day, and enjoy making easy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream.

 

 

 

Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to create and share recipes, often using fresh ingredients from her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. For more delicious, easy recipes, click on over to the Food page.

Want more great garden, food, or travel ideas? Follow FluxingWell on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest posts, tips, and inspiration.