I am so happy my kids don’t have peanut allergies. Peanut allergies are no joke and I’m not trying to make light of anyone’s condition–I know it is a very serious matter. It’s just that I have such a love for all things peanut that it would be difficult–not impossible, but definitely difficult–to eradicate peanuts from my life.
I was also pleasantly surprised when I learned that my daughter’s elementary school does NOT have a peanut ban. It may come as a surprise to some of you, but there are schools that ban peanut products because of the severity of their students’ allergies. Our preschool worked this way, though, being a private institution, they have the right to ban whatever they so choose. Some public schools, however, also take this approach, removing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from their former iconic status as the standard main attraction of a cold lunch (and back-up lunch provided by the school, for those who have forgotten theirs at home) and replacing them with…I don’t know, sunbutter instead? Not that there’s anything wrong with sunbutter. Or tahini, for that matter. Both can be adequate substitutes for peanut butter in sandwiches. My daughter has never complained about either, but she’s always known them as a part of her lunchtime repertoire. It’s just not the same if you grew up with pb&j.
Peanut butter fudge is a whole different level. Decadent and delicious, seriously addictive, and one of the call signs of fall. Like the kids returning to school, and Labor Day weekend, fudge makes me think of a rainbow of leaves cascading from the sky, crisp air, trees bursting with ripe apples, and the wonderful aroma of wood burning. Just about every country fair has a fudge booth or two, and peanut butter fudge nearly always graces those tables. It’s almost worth pushing your way through the crowds for it–almost.
Instead of dealing with paying for parking, admission, and having the honor of being herded like cattle, you can make peanut butter fudge at home. Save some money–and your sanity–and have it all to yourself. That’s a plan I can get behind! This fudge comes together really easily, utilizing the microwave for the cooking. Before long, you can lose yourself in the memory of autumns past, the carefree chapter in your life. It’s almost within your grasp again…
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp) butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 lb powdered sugar (confectioners sugar/10x sugar)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Grease an 8×8 dish with butter (you can use the wrappers from the butter in the recipe to do this) and line with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside.
- Put the peanut butter and butter in a large microwave safe bowl and heat in the microwave on HIGH power for 2 minutes. Stir and heat again for 2 more minutes on HIGH. Remove from microwave.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar with a silicone spatula. It may be difficult at first, but it does get easier. Stir until there are no dry spots left.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips, being careful not to stir too much–you want to have some of the chips intact in the final fudge.
- Spread into the prepared dish. Cover with wax paper, pressing it down onto the surface of the fudge.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting. Store in the refrigerator.
This post is participating in the following link parties:
- Mrs Happy Homemaker’s Making You Crave Monday
- Add A Pinch’s Mingle Monday
- Crazy for Crust’s Crazy Sweet Tuesday
- Alli ‘n Son’s Sweet Tooth Friday
19 comments
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Kate @ Food Babbles
2 September, 2011 at 11:31 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
OOOOO!!! I want this RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND! I kid you not, my mouth is watering. I would kill for a piece right now. Yum!
Sheila
2 September, 2011 at 2:09 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh, I didn’t know that there are schools that ban peanut products. I’m also fortunate that our family does not have peanut allergies. It’s just that it’s bad for my mom’s gout. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. Good recipe to try this Labor Weekend!
Cindy B.
3 September, 2011 at 8:36 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m a peanut butter lover too, thanks for sharing your recipe.
Sasha (Global Table Adventure)
3 September, 2011 at 3:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Love the pics of your son gobbling it up… says it all! Delicious and you’re right – definitely no substitutes allowed for peanut butter fudge
Sasha (Global Table Adventure) recently posted..A Bento for Miss Ava (w/ poll)
Evan Thomas
3 September, 2011 at 5:50 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Fudge has a special way of bringing people together. I think if I had to give up peanut butter ever I’d be sad, too. Crossing my fingers neither of us ever have to.
Any fudge you can make without a candy thermometer is my kind of recipe. This reminds me of Alton Brown’s recipe, but the chocolate chips are a great touch.
Evan Thomas recently posted..How To Massage Kale
The Poet Herself
3 September, 2011 at 7:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yeah, Some Kitchen Stories, my source, got the recipe from Alton Brown on Food Network’s website. My spin on it was the chocolate chips–gotta have chocolate chips.
Love the simplicity of making it in the microwave without a candy thermometer. My go-to recipe for “regular” fudge is another microwave version.
Tres Delicious
3 September, 2011 at 11:43 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh my…my kids will gonna love this peanut butter fudge.
Christina @ This Woman Cooks!
4 September, 2011 at 9:52 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is the best thing I’ve seen all morning.
Russell at Chasing Delicious
4 September, 2011 at 2:07 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
One of the guys in the band I manage has a peanut allergy and since their studio is attached to my house I pretty much am always cooking for them. This means I can rarely if ever make anything with peanuts. I’m making an exception for this and keeping them hidden from him. I love fudge and I love peanut butter. This sounds like a perfect marriage of the two. I love how simple this recipe is too. Thanks for sharing!
Russell at Chasing Delicious recently posted..Molasses Blondies
The Poet Herself
5 September, 2011 at 9:18 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
At least you don’t have to worry about him stealing your fudge!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen
4 September, 2011 at 10:18 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Peanut butter and chocolate is like an addiction to me. I love, love, love peanut butter fudge and the chocolate chips added in must be like fudge heaven.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen recently posted..Vanilla Cupcakes with Browned Butter-Coconut Icing
Mrs Happy Homemaker
4 September, 2011 at 10:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This looks delish! I absolutely love peanut butter fudge. I would love it if you linked it up at my blog party, Makin’ You Crave Monday over at MrsHappyHomemaker.com!
Mrs Happy Homemaker recently posted..Makin’ You Crave Monday
The Poet Herself
4 September, 2011 at 10:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for the invite! Checking it out now.
angie
5 September, 2011 at 8:42 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
love fudge and love the fact these are both pb and chocolate my family would love them
angie recently posted..HomeStead Company Giveaway
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
5 September, 2011 at 10:29 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love peanut butter anything, especially fudge. Visiting from Mingle Monday! I would love for you to share your recipe with my Tuesday linky party, Crazy Sweet Tuesday that starts tomorrow!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Blueberry Bread
The Poet Herself
6 September, 2011 at 8:47 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for the invite! I’ll check that out.
kyleen
5 September, 2011 at 5:37 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh my, your fudge looks so delicious! I love peanut butter (:
kyleen recently posted..Blueberry Muffins
Jocelyn
6 September, 2011 at 12:25 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh my! That just might be another downfall for my diet!!! I absolutely love peanut butter and chocolate!!! Thank you for the yumminess!!!
Jocelyn recently posted..Oreo Marshmallow Brownies
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
10 September, 2011 at 9:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Again, YUM. Thanks for sharing with Crazy Sweet Tuesday.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Proud to be an American