Sandra This Alton Brown Peanut Butter Fudge is a smooth and decadent recipe, which calls for creamy peanut butter and sweet powdered sugar. It’s the easiest 4-ingredient dessert, ready in about 2 hours and 10 minutes (mostly chilling time).
Alton Brown Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients
- 8 oz (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter (commercial brand like Jif or Skippy)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 lb (approx. 3 ¾ cups) powdered sugar, sifted
How To Make Alton Brown Peanut Butter Fudge
- Prep the pan: Lightly grease an 8-by-8-inch square baking pan with butter. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to cover the fudge later.
- Melt the fats: In a large 4-quart microwave-safe bowl, combine the unsalted butter and the smooth peanut butter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
- Stir and heat again: Carefully remove the bowl, peel back the plastic, and give the mixture a quick stir. Re-cover and microwave on high for another 2 minutes. Caution: The mixture will be extremely hot and liquid.
- Combine the fudge: Remove the bowl from the microwave. Carefully remove the plastic wrap. Add the vanilla extract and the powdered sugar.
- Mix until matte: Stir the mixture with a sturdy wooden spoon. At first, it will be liquid, but as you stir, it will become difficult to move and will lose its glossy sheen, turning matte. This texture change is crucial.
- Press and set: Pour and spread the thick mixture into the prepared pan. Fold the overhanging parchment paper down to cover the surface of the fudge gently.
- Chill and cut: Refrigerate the fudge until it is completely cool and set, about 2 hours. Lift the block out using the parchment paper. Cut into 1-inch squares using a sharp knife.
Recipe Tips
- Peanut Butter Choice: Use standard commercial peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy). “Natural” peanut butters that require stirring can separate and prevent the fudge from setting properly due to the oil separation.
- Sift the sugar: Sifting the powdered sugar before adding it to the hot mixture is highly recommended. It prevents little white lumps of sugar from appearing in your smooth fudge.
- The “Sheen” Test: The most important visual cue in this recipe is the loss of sheen. You must stir until the mixture looks dull (matte). If it is still shiny and oily when you pour it, it may not set correctly.
- Use a large bowl: The mixture bubbles up when the sugar is added and can be difficult to stir, so use a bowl much larger than you think you need.
What To Serve With Alton Brown Peanut Butter Fudge
This incredibly sweet treat needs something to balance the sugar.
- Cold Milk: The sugars in the fudge demand a glass of milk.
- Black Coffee: The bitterness cuts through the sweetness.
- Pretzels: Serve alongside for a sweet and salty combo.
- Tart Berries: Raspberries or strawberries add acidity.
How To Store Alton Brown Peanut Butter Fudge
- Room Temperature: Store cut pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Refrigerate: You can store it in the fridge for a firmer, chewier texture, especially in warm weather.
- Freeze: Wrap individual pieces in wax paper and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
Alton Brown Peanut Butter Fudge Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 140kcal
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturates: 4g
- Sugar: 15g
- Salt: 0.1g
Nutrition information is estimated per 1-inch square piece.
FAQs
Can I make this on the stove?
Yes. Melt the butter and peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and sugar, and mix until it loses its sheen.
Why is my fudge grainy?
Graininess usually comes from not sifting the powdered sugar, or from over-cooking the butter mixture which can cause the sugar to crystallize rapidly.
Can I use chunky peanut butter?
Yes, you can use chunky peanut butter if you want texture, but the fudge will be harder to cut cleanly. The base recipe relies on smooth peanut butter for that velvety mouthfeel.
Alton Brown Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
Description
A foolproof microwave fudge recipe that combines butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar into a dense, melt-in-your-mouth confection.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Grease an 8×8 pan and line with parchment paper.
- Microwave butter and peanut butter in a covered bowl for 2 minutes.
- Stir, then microwave for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar with a wooden spoon.
- Mix until the batter becomes stiff and loses its shine.
- Spread into the pan and cover with parchment.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours until cool.
- Cut into 1-inch squares.
Notes
- Caution is advised when removing the bowl from the microwave as the fat and sugar mixture gets incredibly hot and can cause severe burns if splashed.
- Stirring until the mixture loses its gloss is the scientific indicator that the sugar has crystallized correctly to form a fudge structure rather than a gooey icing.
- Lining the pan with parchment paper allows you to lift the entire block of fudge out at once for perfect, uniform slicing on a cutting board.
Alton Brown Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
