This rich and delicious Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge is so sweet and scrumptious that you’ll never believe it’s clean-eating. Not only that, but it’s also both gluten and dairy-free, and has no refined sugar! If you are vegan, add it to your candy repertoire. Keto followers, this fudge recipe fits right into your diet.
Fudge is a favorite with so many, not just at holiday time but all year round. I have always had an affection for fudge. I mean, how can you not, right?
Well, this year, I thought it'd be neat to try my hand at my own fudge. So, when Fudge won my latest poll for "Which Holiday Treat Should I Make?" I was super excited.
I decided to leave it up to you guys (via Instagram and Facebook) as to what type of fudge sounded best. Several people mentioned Peanut Butter Fudge as a favorite, so that was that.
Now, I have a hard time imagining fudge without any type of chocolate, so I decided to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge to get the best of both worlds.
And, just in case you were wondering, Chocolate + Peanut Butter = Awesome, but I'm sure you already knew that.
WHAT'S THE BEST HEALTHY CHOCOLATE FOR EASY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE?
Not all chocolate is created equal, and many have unnecessary added ingredients that are not clean-eating. In general, the darker a chocolate is, the less sugar it contains. Here are some tips for what to look for to get the healthiest chocolate for your fudge:
- The higher the cacao percentage, the better. Think, at the very minimum, 65% and then it gets higher in nutritional benefits (antioxidants, for example), the higher it goes.
- Avoid milk chocolate, as this is typically very low in cacao percentage.
- Avoid added sugars, including artificial sugars, like splenda and sucalose.
- Buying organic (and fair trade, too) is always a great idea, though it's not as important as locating the unnecessary ingredients, as far as clean eating is concerned.
So, go ahead and indulge your craving for this decadent treat. And remember, when shopping, look for chocolate that leaves out unnecessary ingredients, like trans fats, added sugar, and artificial flavorings.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MELT THE CHOCOLATE CHIPS FOR EASY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE?
Well, there are two tried and true methods: stovetop or microwave.
- Stovetop Method: The secret to the stovetop method is to use a good quality saucepan that holds the heat evenly. Stirring frequently as the chocolate chips melt is essential for a uniform melt.
- Microwave Method: When heating up your chocolate chips in the microwave, use a heavy glass bowl. Remember, the bowl will heat up, so handle it with oven mitts. To melt the chocolate, remove the bowl from the microwave and stir about every ten seconds. Continue until the chips are almost melted and then give them a thorough stirring as the last step.
In both cases, remember that the chocolate will harden quickly, so be ready to use it right away.
IS EASY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE PALEO?
No, this recipe as it stands, is not Paleo. Peanuts are legumes so that eliminates them as part of the paleo diet. However, this sweet and delicious recipe is easily changed to a decadent Paleo-friendly treat by using almond butter or cashew butter in place of the creamy natural peanut butter.
IS THIS FUDGE VEGAN?
As written, this fudge is completely vegan - just be sure to look for dark chocolate that contains no milk products, and you'll be good to go!
CAN I FREEZE EASY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE?
This sweet dessert can definitely be frozen! Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it, allow it to thaw a few minutes at room temperature. If you do have any leftovers, these yummy bite-sized pieces can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
This fudge is incredibly easy to make.
The final product comes out moist, creamy and full of peanut butter flavor that is wonderfully complemented as only dark chocolate can do.
MORE HEALTHY CHOCOLATE SWEET TREATS
Feel like channeling your inner chocolate? I always say there is no such thing as too much! If you are looking for clean-eating tasty treats, try these:
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- 3 Ingredient Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark
- Dark Chocolate Covered Coconut Bites
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Raw Edible Cookie Dough Bites
So, I am sure you will agree that this recipe is easy to put together, yet oh, so delicious. Thanks again for all your input on this...I hope you like it!
Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
For Bottom Chocolate Layer:
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips look for 70% cacao or higher
- ½ cup natural peanut butter creamy
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Top Peanut Butter Layer:
- 2 cups natural peanut butter creamy
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, and set aside.
- Once creamy, remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Transfer the chocolate mixture to the prepared baking pan, and spread the melted chocolate mixture over the bottom of the pan.
- Transfer to refrigerator, and chill while you make the top peanut butter layer.
- To make peanut butter layer, heat the peanut butter, coconut oil, and pure maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until creamy, then remove from heat. Be careful not to overcook the mixture, and just heat enough to soften. (To avoid overcooking, you could use an electric hand mixer to cream together all the top layer ingredients in a large bowl.) If you find the peanut butter has overcooked and becomes dry, add enough coconut oil to make smooth and liquid again.
- Add in the vanilla extract, and stir together.
- Spread the peanut butter mixture on top of the chilled chocolate layer — it’s okay if the chocolate isn’t completely set.
- Sprinkle sea salt evenly over the top of the fudge.
- Cover the fudge and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or in the freezer for about 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Once solid, remove from the refrigerator or freezer, and dice into bite-size pieces.
- Store, covered in an air-tight container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links for products I use and highly recommend.
Emily
Would I be able to replace the dark chocolate for milk chocolate? Would it be overly sweet/not as good if I did that?
Dustin
Fudge sounds so good.
Lacey Baier
Yea, it's so tasty 🙂
Okie
I have been looking for this recipe forever and ever!!! So glad to have finally found it. Can't wait to make some! Thank you so very much! 🙂
Lacey Baier
woohooo!!!!!
Marisajade
I found out that my husband has a secret sweet tooth for fudge while he's at work, and since he's been out of town the last few days I thought I'd surprise him with some as a nice welcome home. Sooo excited to make this in the a.m.!
Lacey Baier
Yay, what a great treat!!
marykate
hi, i am making this, I wanted to try a different fudge this year, but am a virgin when it comes to terms like, a rolling boil. I always use a candy thermometer, does the rolling boil mean, boil to softball stage?
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Marykate. A rolling boil just means it is at its maximum boil where it is boiling hot and bubbling. I hope that helps. Good luck!
Jessica
This fudge is awesome, so light and fluffy. Defiantly gotta keep this recipe....two thumbs up!!!!!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed the fudge, Jessica 🙂
Jodi
Fantastic! Made this earlier and i'm holding everyone back from finishing it off!! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Heehee! Music to my ears, Jodi! 🙂
Kelly
We do sweet day at work, tomorrow is my day to bring the fudge. I normally do Peppermint for Christmas, but never had to do fudge for Thanksgiving and the girls want peanut butter...this looks so delicious and it also looks EASY! Wish me luck. I will let you know how it turns out and if it gets a thumbs up from our girls!!!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Good luck, Kelly!!
Jennifer
This is a great recipe! Very easy to follow and they came out delish! Milk is a must have when enjoying these treats! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
You are very welcome, Jennifer. I totally agree about the milk suggestion 🙂
Matthew
The fudge looks great.
Might just have to give this recipe a test drive.
Matthew
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Matthew! I hope you do -- its really tasty. Love to know if you do!
Melanie Flinn
Hi there,
Found your blog via foodgawker. I was so excited to try this- love pb & choc and love easy desserts. For some reason, the fudge didn't set for me! It was really weird- after leaving it out and refrigerating overnight, it was still really soft- the chocolate on top was firm. So these are the reasons I am thinking why this happened: I bought the 7 oz marshmallow cream instead of the 14 oz on accident so used that amount instead. Do you think that would make that big of a difference in it setting? Other reason might be we live and humid Hawaii with no ac, but it was mostly refrigerated... Third, maybe I needed to boil it longer? I did 5 minutes.
I want to try it again and this time will use the 14 oz but just wanted to get your opinion. It looks so darn good!! Thanks!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Melanie! I'm sorry your fudge didn't turn out very well. I would think it was due to using half the marshmallow cream. I'd also recommend refrigerating it once you're done, given the weather where you're at. I hope it turns out better next time. Good luck!
Cathy (Heritage Hollow)
OMG! These look amazing!! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
lacey - a sweet pea chef
You're welcome, Cathy! And thanks! 🙂
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes
oh my! I can see my Mister(PB addict) loving these! Beautiful photography too!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Thanks, Cathy! I hope your PB addict enjoys them 🙂