Dessert Articles & Tips |Cadbury Desserts Corner

DIY Peanut Butter Fudge for Festive Gift Platters

Written by Deepali Verma | Feb 13, 2025 10:00:00 AM

Festivals are a time to spread joy, love, and sweetness. As the festive season approaches, many of us begin to look for unique ways to personalize our celebrations. Well, here comes peanut butter fudge—a creamy, nutty, and irresistibly decadent treat that's surprisingly easy to make at home. It makes it even more special that it can easily combine with other flavors so that you can create custom platters based on your creativity. Be it festive get-togethers or preparing heartfelt gift boxes for loved ones, this fudge adds a touch of modern flair to traditional festivities. It's a scrumptious way to upgrade your sweets game while embracing the warmth of handmade treats.

Why Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter is a culinary gem, effortlessly blending into recipes to enhance both flavor and nutrition. Its creamy texture and nutty taste make it a perfect addition to desserts, while its high protein and healthy fat content provide added goodness. When incorporated into fudge, it not only adds depth of flavor but also creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to resist. This makes peanut butter highly versatile for festive treats, compatible with a variety of flavors ranging from fruity to spicy.

DIY Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt
  • Chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or sprinkles for garnish

Method:

Add the peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk to a heatproof bowl. Position the bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat, sift in the powdered sugar. Add vanilla extract and pinch of salt, stirring to get everything well combined. Prepare a square baking dish by lining it with parchment paper, then pour in the fudge mixture and spread evenly. Garnish with your chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or sprinkles. Chill for at least 2 hours or until set. Cut into bite-sized squares when firm to serve or pack into holiday boxes.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Combination

Layer chocolate ganache atop the peanut butter fudge and enjoy a decadent taste. Pour melted dark chocolate over set peanut butter fudge. This flavor combination brings a bitter-sweet balance to the creamy sweetness of the fudge. Top with edible gold leaf or a sprinkle of sea salt for an elegant finish. Great squares for gift boxes or as a centerpiece for dessert platters.

Dried Cranberries

Add a burst of tanginess by folding dried cranberries into the peanut butter fudge mixture. The cranberries' tart flavor complements the nutty sweetness, creating a balanced taste profile. Top it off with additional cranberries and dust with icing sugar for an even more festive look. It's perfect for holiday-themed gift platters, adding some freshness to traditional sweets.

Pistachio and Almond Peanut Butter Fudge

Add some chopped pistachios and almonds to your peanut butter fudge to give it a great texture and flavor. The crunch of the nuts adds a lovely contrast to the creamy fudge. Top it off with a drizzle of white chocolate and a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts for a treat that is a feast for the eyes as well. This one will go very well with other nut-based sweets in your festive platter.

Tropical Coconut Twist

Bring a taste of the tropics to your fudge by adding desiccated coconut to the mixture. For an extra layer of flavor, coat the set fudge pieces in toasted coconut. The combination of peanut butter and coconut creates a creamy, slightly chewy texture that’s simply irresistible. Pair these tropical fudge squares with dried pineapple or mango slices for an exotic gift platter.

Berry Berry Fudgy

Pour berry compote to create dramatic visual and flavor contrast in swirling through the fudge mix before it sets. Insert the toothpick carefully and mix this beautifully. The combination of a sharp tang with richness and nutty base was great, not to forget the vibrant red streaking effect given by the mixture. Bright up the dessert table and gift pieces are great for presenting to anyone who loves berries.

Salted Caramel Indulgence

Add a drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce over the peanut butter fudge before it sets. Sweet, salty, and nutty flavors all combine to make this version a favorite. Top with flaky sea salt or crushed pretzels for added texture. These caramel-infused fudge squares are great paired with a cup of coffee or tea and make a thoughtful addition to any festive gift hamper.

Healthy Date and Nut Mix

Add a blend of chopped dates and medley of nuts to the peanut butter fudge for a healthier treat. The natural sweetness of the dates mixes so well with the fudge while adding crunch and flavor to it. Perfectly indulgent, without overindulging, the nutty and healthy sweet combination of this version makes sure to satisfy and nourish your taste buds. Have them with dried figs and apricots to complete a wholesome festive platter.