Tiger Butter Fudge combines creamy peanut butter, vanilla chips, and chocolate into a simple swirled treat. With just 3 ingredients and a cost of about $0.22 per serving, it is an easy dessert to make without a candy thermometer.
I love recipes like this for busy days when I want something homemade without spending much time in the kitchen. The chocolate and peanut butter combination is always a favorite in my house, and the swirled top makes each piece look extra fun.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Only 3 Ingredients. Vanilla chips, peanut butter, and chocolate are all you need to make this simple fudge.
- No Candy Thermometer. There is no need to worry about cooking sugar to a specific temperature.
- Quick to Make. The fudge comes together in just a few simple steps and is ready in under an hour.
- Sweet and Salty. Creamy peanut butter pairs with rich chocolate for a classic flavor combination.
- Fun Swirled Design. The chocolate swirl gives each piece a pretty homemade finish without complicated decorating.
- Budget-Friendly. At about $0.22 per serving, it is an affordable treat for sharing.
After more than 14 years of baking, I’ve learned that some of the easiest desserts are the ones that get made again and again. This fudge is a great example of a simple recipe that comes together with very little effort while still giving you a homemade treat to share.
You may also like to try 2 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Butterscotch Fudge or Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe.
Ingredients
- Vanilla Chips. These create the sweet, creamy base of the fudge and pair well with the peanut butter.
- Creamy Peanut Butter. Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth, rich texture that blends easily with the melted vanilla chips.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. These add rich chocolate flavor and create the swirled topping that makes this fudge so fun to serve.
Scroll to the bottom to see the recipe card for the full recipe.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 – First, you need a 9×13 glass pan to make the fudge. Go ahead and line with parchment paper or foil.
Step 2 – Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt. Start with 1 minute and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set this aside for later.
Step 3 – Now, pour the vanilla chips into a separate medium-sized glass bowl. Again, microwave in 1-minute intervals until it is melted.
Step 4 – Then stir until it is smooth. Once it is melted and smooth, add the peanut butter and stir until the white chocolate and peanut are combined well and smooth.
Step 5 – The last step is to pour into the prepared pan. Put all of that yummy vanilla-peanut butter mixture into the baking dish. Now, the fudge mixture won’t reach the edges of the pan and that is normal so do not worry.
Step 6 – After the mixture has settled into the pan, get the bowl of melted semi-sweet chocolate. Pour this onto the vanilla-peanut butter mixture in lines back and forth.
Step 7 – Now, you are going to give the chocolate peanut butter mixture a pretty marbled look. Use a long sharp knife and run it in the opposite direction of the chocolate lines you created. You want to make a swirl pattern.
Step 8 – After it has cooled and set, take the foil or parchment paper from the pan by pulling on it to remove the fudge. I like to sit it on a cutting board and cut it into small squares.
Pro Tips
- Tiger Stripes. Use a long, sharp knife to run through the chocolate lines in the opposite direction, creating the signature tiger stripe pattern. Swirl as much or as little as you like to create your favorite design. This is also a fun step for kids to help with.
- Cool the Fudge. Let the fudge cool completely at room temperature so it has time to set. You can also place it in the refrigerator if you want to speed up the process.
- Line the Pan. Line your 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving some overhang on the sides. This makes it much easier to lift the finished fudge from the pan.
- Melt the Chocolate Carefully. Microwave the chocolate chips in short intervals and stir well between each one. This helps prevent the chocolate from overheating and becoming thick or grainy.
- Cut the Fudge. Once the fudge is completely set, lift it from the pan using the parchment paper or foil. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into small squares.
- Store Properly. Keep the cut fudge in an airtight container to maintain its texture and freshness.
- Peanut Butter – Use regular, processed creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) rather than natural peanut butter. Natural peanut butter’s oil separates from the solids, which can make the mixture greasy and prevent it from setting up smooth.
Variations
- Holiday Fudge. Add festive sprinkles to the top before the fudge sets for an easy holiday treat.
- Peanut Butter Cups. Stir chopped peanut butter cups into the vanilla and peanut butter mixture for even more peanut butter flavor.
- Crunchy Peanut Butter. Swap the creamy peanut butter for crunchy peanut butter to add small pieces of peanuts throughout the fudge.
- Chocolate Swaps. Use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips in place of the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Each option gives the fudge a slightly different flavor.
What Is the Best Way to Melt Chocolate?
The microwave is a quick and easy way to melt chocolate chips. Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips to a small microwave-safe bowl and heat them in short intervals.
Stir the chocolate thoroughly after each interval. This helps distribute the heat and keeps the chocolate from scorching or becoming too thick.
Keep in mind that chocolate chips can still hold their shape even when they are soft and melted inside. Give them a good stir before adding more microwave time to avoid overheating the chocolate.
FAQ
This usually means the chocolate or vanilla chips were overheated while melting, or natural peanut butter was used instead of regular. Stick to 30-second microwave intervals, stirring each time, and use regular creamy peanut butter for the smoothest result.
It’s really a bit of both. It has fudge’s creamy, peanut-buttery texture but sets up more like bark since it’s poured into a pan rather than boiled to a candy temperature. Either way, it’s just as easy to make.
Keep Tiger Butter Fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
For a firmer texture or longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Let the fudge sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Yes, place the cooled fudge in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Separate layers with parchment paper and freeze for up to 3 months.
Move the fudge to the refrigerator overnight, then let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
More Easy Fudge Recipes
If you make this Tiger Butter Fudge, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review and give the recipe a 5-star rating below, then let me know how your chocolate swirl turned out.
Tiger butter fudge
Ingredients
- 1 bag vanilla chips 11 oz
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 glass pan with parchment paper or foil.
- Put semi sweet chocolate chips in a small glass bowl. Microwave for 1 minute and stir until smooth. Set aside.
- Pour vanilla chips in a separate medium sized glass bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir gently until smooth. Add peanut butter and stir until well combined and smooth.
- Pour vanilla-peanut butter mixture onto the prepared pan. Mixture won’t reach the edges of the pan and that’s OK. Once it’s settled, take the melted semi sweet chocolate and pour it onto the vanilla-peanut butter mixture in lines.
- Take a knife and run it the opposite direction of the chocolate lines you created, to achieve a swirl pattern. Run your knife through the mixture as much as you’d like, to create your desired swirl pattern.
- Let cool either on the countertop or in the fridge. Pull the foil or parchment paper to remove from the pan,
- Cut into small squares. Store in an airtight container.
