This peanut butter fudge is probably one of the easiest candies you can make this holiday season. With only a few simple ingredients you can make rich, smooth and creamy melts in your mouth peanut butter fudge in just a matter of minutes.
This peanut butter fudge recipe comes from David’s mama, Rosa. Mama Rosa lives in Ohio with one of his sisters and his brother. David decided to make a trip to see her this summer. I was able to find a cat sitter and was able to make the trip with him to Ohio. It’s the first time he had seen her in over a year. I cannot tell you how happy this man was to see his mama. I was glad to witness the glorious reunion between these two.
Since our visit, Mama Rosa has been going through a rough time. On Halloween, she fell at home and broke her hip, which led to surgery and a long road to recovery. She has fought through a lot of pain and although it is taking her longer to recover from this injury than expected, each day rehab moves her a little closer to going home. She has had a lot of people pulling for her and we really appreciate the thoughts and prayers!
David misses his mama so much. Being hundreds of miles away isn’t easy especially during the holidays. Every year at Christmas time David makes two desserts that his mama always used to make. One of the desserts is his mama’s date nut balls and the other is this peanut butter fudge. After David gathers the ingredients for the fudge, he calls Mama Rosa on the phone so she can talk him through the recipe. That recipe is written on paper and yes he could probably make the fudge without calling her, but this is his way of having his mama in the kitchen with him making Christmas peanut butter fudge, even though she is many miles away.
THIS is what the holidays are all about right here!
Many think that fudge is difficult to make and the very site of a candy thermometer makes them nervous, but Mama Rosa has a little trick to getting this peanut butter fudge to the right consistency. The best way to tell if fudge is the right consistency is if the sugar mixture forms a ball in cold water.
As a sugar cooks, the moisture boils away, the sugar concentration increases, and so does the temperature. The temperature determines the final product. Fudge forms at about 235 to 240 degrees F, when the sugar mixture is at the “soft-ball” stage. Soft-ball means that when you drop a bit of the sugar mixture in cold water to cool it down, it will form a soft-ball. If you remove the ball from water, it will flatten out after a few moments in your hand. This method is practically foolproof and makes fudge making a lot easier.
(You can learn more about candy temperatures HERE.)
How To Make Mama Rosa’s Christmas Peanut Butter Fudge:
Have a glass of cold water ready by the stove!
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and milk and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning.
Boil for sugar mixture for about 2 ½ to 3 minutes or until the mixture forms a ball in cold water.
When the mixture reaches the soft-ball point, turn off the heat. Stir in the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
Pour the fudge mixture into a pan and quickly smooth it out, the mixture will start to solidify as it cools. Allow fudge to cool completely before cutting.
Cut into 1 to 2-inch squares and enjoy!
This peanut butter fudge is easy enough to make as a special gift for family, neighbors and friends and perfect for holiday entertaining. We hope you will make this creamy, delicious peanut butter fudge recipe and share it with others this holiday season!
Keep my mother-in-law in your prayers. Pray that she will become strong enough to go home soon.
Enjoy the fudge!
Mama Rosa's Christmas Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Have a glass of cold water ready by the stove!In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and milk and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning.
- Boil for sugar mixture for about 2 ½ to 3 minutes or until the mixture forms a ball in cold water. When the mixture reaches the soft-ball point, turn off the heat. Stir in the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Pour the fudge mixture into a pan and quickly smooth it out, the mixture will start to solidify as it cools. Allow fudge to cool completely before cutting.
- Cut into 1 to 2-inch squares and enjoy!
cookingwithauntjuju.com says
I always make “Gene”s chocolate fudge and have never tried to make any other flavor. I do love peanut butter so I will have to put Mama Rosa’s fudge on my list this holiday 🙂
The Mountain Kitchen says
I prefer chocolate myself. My mama always made both from marshmallow fluff. My brother always wanted the peanut butter, so it worked out! Hope you will give this a try!
Wanda says
Bless that man’s heart! He loves his mama and I bet she loves to get that phone call and make fudge with him. What an awesome idea to really connect with mama!!
The Mountain Kitchen says
It really is Wanda. ?
Tasty Eats Ronit Penso says
Such a great collaboration! No wonder the fudge looks so good! Love the addition of peanut butter.
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks Ronit!
The Mountain Kitchen says
So true. Thanks Ronit!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Every mother wants a son like that! That fudge looks delicious and I’m sure it warms Mama’s heart to know that it means so much to David.
Al Mizelle says
She is a very sweet lady and Sheepdog DOES love her to death, as he should! She is a great cook, also, as I have had the privilege of dining on some of her scrumptious vittles. I do have a culinary question for the blonde Italian… Would Christmas Peanut Butter Fudge taste the same if you made it on, say, July 4th???
The Mountain Kitchen says
Yes, it would taste like Christmas in July, Al!! ??
Debbie - MountainMama says
Ok Mountain Sister this sounds SCARY GOOD!!! Sending healing prayers for your mother in law’s speedy recovery. Happy Holidays my friend!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Hi Debbie! Thank you so much. Wishing you wonderful holiday happiness also, Mountain Sister! ?
givememeatloaf says
Love the pictures of David in the kitchen, and love the origin of the recipe. Hope for a speedy and complete recovery for Mama! This recipe looks like perfection, peanut butter is one of my favorite things, so I will be trying this soon! Happy Holidays y’all!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks Annie! Please let me know how it turns out. You’ll love it if you love peanut butter!! Happy Holiday to you and Dave!! <3