Fudge: compare the 2 variations

Time, effort, key ingredients, diets, nutrition and cleanup side by side, so you can pick the one that fits tonight.

Which should I make?

Side by side

Easy ChocolateOld-Fashioned Peanut Butter
Total time2 hr 15 min1 hr 25 min
Prep10 min10 min
LevelEasyMedium
Steps810
Serves36 squares36 squares
Key ingredientssemisweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and unsalted buttercreamy peanut butter, granulated sugar and whole milk
Only in this onesemisweet chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milkcreamy peanut butter, granulated sugar and whole milk
DietaryVegetarianGluten-FreeVegetarianGluten-Free
Calories110100
Protein1 g2 g
Carbs15 g13 g
Fat6 g5 g
Cleanup4/5 2 things to wash3/5 3 things to wash
Kid helperNoNo

Nutrition is per serving. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Dietary: Based on the ingredient list and estimated nutrition; check labels; not medical advice. Cleanup score: 5 means one thing to wash, 1 means six or more. We count pots, pans, bowls and appliances, not the knife, board and spoons.

How we pick

  • Fastest: the shortest total time, at least 10 minutes ahead of the next.
  • Easiest: the lowest level (easy, medium, hard), then at least 2 fewer steps.
  • Lightest: the fewest estimated calories a serving, at least 15% and 40 calories under the next (only when two or more have an estimate).
  • Kid helper: the variation where a child can do the biggest share of the steps (no knife, no heat), when that's not all of them equally.
  • Least cleanup: the best cleanup score, a point ahead of the next.
  • Make it ahead: the only variation whose notes say how to make it ahead.
  • Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free: the variation that fits a diet the others don't, from the ingredient lines.

A pick needs a clear winner; close calls are left out.

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