Name: 15-Minute Peanut Butter Fudge
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Ingredients: 18 ounces (510 grams) peanut butter chips; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/8 teaspoon table salt; 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted a forgiving fudge recipe that didn’t require ideal conditions for success. Seeking a firmer, lighter texture for our fudge recipe, we found that a little baking soda reacted with the acids in the chocolate to alter the pH, which made the fudge drier and firmer.

Before You Begin

This fudge will change texture and become drier the longer it is stored. Store the fudge, tightly wrapped in plastic, in a cool place for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months. If frozen, allow ample time to let it reach room temperature before cutting.

Instructions

Cut 12-inch length extra-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil; fold edges back to form 7 1/2-inch width. With folded sides facing down, fit foil securely into bottom and up sides of 8-inch-square baking pan, allowing excess to overhang pan sides. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Toss peanut butter chips, baking soda, and salt in medium heatproof bowl until baking soda is evenly distributed. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Set bowl over 4-quart saucepan containing 2 cups simmering water. Stir with rubber spatula until chips are almost fully melted and few small pieces remain, 2 to 4 minutes.

Remove bowl from heat and continue to stir until chips are fully melted and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer fudge to prepared pan and spread in even layer with spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Remove fudge from pan using foil and cut into squares.

to make double batch

Line 13 by 9-inch pan with two sheets of foil placed perpendicular to each other and double amounts of all ingredients. In step 2, use large heatproof bowl and Dutch oven containing 4 cups simmering water.