Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Chocolate Peanut Fudge Squares
Some recipes just have a way of weaving themselves into the fabric of a family’s story. This chocolate peanut fudge is exactly that kind of recipe — the sort that gets handed down from grandmother to mother to daughter without ever needing to be written on a card, because it lives in muscle memory and love. Rich, glossy, and packed with roasted peanuts, these fudge squares disappear from the tray faster than you can cut them.
Whether you’re making this for a holiday gathering, a potluck, or just because you need something deeply satisfying on a quiet afternoon, this no-fuss recipe delivers every single time. The texture is smooth and creamy with just enough bite from the peanuts, and the sheen on top tells you before you even take a taste that something wonderful is waiting.
Ingredients
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 and a half sticks)
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 and 1/2 cups roasted salted peanuts, roughly chopped
- Pinch of salt
What You Will Need
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Heavy-bottomed large saucepan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Candy thermometer (optional but helpful)
- Sharp knife for cutting
Method
- Line your 9×13 inch baking pan generously with parchment paper, letting it hang over the sides so you can lift the fudge out cleanly once it sets. Set aside.
- In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, butter, evaporated milk, and a pinch of salt. Stir constantly as the butter melts and everything begins to come together.
- Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, one that cannot be stirred down. Once boiling, continue to stir and cook for exactly 5 minutes. If you are using a candy thermometer, you are aiming for the soft-ball stage at around 234 to 240 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Working quickly, stir in the marshmallow creme until it is fully incorporated and the mixture looks smooth and glossy.
- Add both the milk chocolate chips and the semi-sweet chocolate chips all at once. Stir vigorously until every chip has melted and the mixture is silky and uniform in color.
- Fold in the chopped roasted peanuts, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the fudge mixture.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and give everything one final good stir to combine.
- Pour the fudge immediately into your prepared pan. Use your spatula to spread it out into an even layer all the way to the corners.
- Allow the fudge to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or until completely firm to the touch.
- Once fully set, lift the fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut into small squares. The cleaner your cuts, the more beautiful those glossy squares will look on a serving tray.
Tips for Perfect Fudge Every Time
Do not rush the boiling step. That full five minutes at a rolling boil is what gives this fudge its signature creamy texture rather than a grainy one. Stirring constantly during this stage is key to preventing the sugar from scorching on the bottom of the pan.
If you prefer a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor, you can swap the milk chocolate chips entirely for semi-sweet or even dark chocolate chips. The peanuts add a welcome saltiness that balances the sweetness beautifully, so do not skip them.
Store leftover fudge squares in an airtight container. They keep well at room temperature for up to one week, or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. You can also freeze them between layers of parchment paper for up to three months, though they rarely last that long once people know they exist.
Why This Recipe Never Goes Out of Style
There is something genuinely timeless about a pan of homemade chocolate fudge. It requires no special equipment, no hard-to-find ingredients, and no baking skills whatsoever. What it does require is a little attention and a willingness to stand at the stove and stir with care. That effort comes through in every single bite, and it is exactly why recipes like this one outlast trends and keep showing up on family tables generation after generation.
