Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for the pan
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, regular, not natural-style
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge
- Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper and rub it with the 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Measure the peanut butter and vanilla into a bowl and set it next to the stove. The last steps move fast.
- In a heavy saucepan, stir the sugar, milk, 2 tablespoons butter and salt over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan so the tip is in the syrup but not touching the bottom.
- Boil, stirring gently only now and then, until the thermometer reads 236°F (soft-ball stage). Go by the thermometer, not the timer.
- Take the pan off the heat right away. The syrup is extremely hot, so keep children and pets away from the stove.
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir hard with a wooden spoon until smooth and the fudge begins to thicken and lose its shine.
- Quickly pour the fudge into the pan and smooth the top before it sets.
- Let the fudge cool at room temperature until firm.
- Lift the fudge out with the parchment and cut it into 6 rows each way.