Irresistible 4-Ingredient Tiger Butter Fudge: Your Easiest Peanut Butter & Chocolate Treat

Prepare to be amazed by this incredibly simple yet utterly delicious peanut butter and chocolate Tiger Butter Fudge. It’s truly one of the easiest treats you can whip up, requiring only four basic ingredients and the convenience of a microwave. No fancy equipment, no complex techniques—just pure, melt-in-your-mouth indulgence with those iconic tiger stripes everyone loves!

A Note from the Author

Sweet, Simple, and Impossible to Resist!

Growing up, the holiday season always meant one thing: a grand baking day! My parents and I would gather in the kitchen, transforming simple ingredients into an array of delightful treats destined for neighbors, friends, and co-workers. It was a cherished tradition that filled our home with warmth, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of homemade goodness.

Among the many holiday staples, one recipe always stood out as a crowd-pleaser: Tiger Fudge, affectionately known as Tiger Butter Fudge. I distinctly remember the joy on people’s faces when we’d arrive at their doors, often greeted with an enthusiastic, “Oh good, the fudge!” It became an eagerly anticipated gift year after year, and its popularity was undeniable. Of course, a recipe that brings so much happiness simply *has* to be shared.

This fudge isn’t just easy; it’s a culinary masterpiece in its simplicity. It boasts a wonderfully soft, smooth texture that melts delicately on your tongue, delivering a perfect harmony of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter flavors. The best part? It comes together in mere minutes using only four ingredients and your microwave – no specialized candy thermometer or complicated tools required! It’s an instant classic that continues to be one of my all-time favorites, perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging yourself.

How to Make Tiger Butter Fudge: Simple Steps for Success

Creating this delightful fudge is a breeze, even for novice bakers. While the full, detailed recipe is provided below, here are some essential tips and tricks to ensure your Tiger Butter Fudge turns out perfectly smooth, swirly, and utterly delicious every single time.

1. Melt the Chocolate with Care: When microwaving your chocolate chips, remember that gentle heat is key. Always stir for 20-25 seconds between each short burst of microwaving. This prevents the chocolate from seizing or burning, ensuring a smooth, luscious base for your fudge.
2. Choose Creamy Peanut Butter: For the ultimate smooth and velvety texture in your fudge, opt for creamy peanut butter. While crunchy peanut butter might sound appealing, the creamy variety blends seamlessly into the chocolate, contributing to that desirable melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
3. Master the Swirls (Don’t Overmix!): The iconic “tiger butter” look comes from the beautiful swirls of chocolate and peanut butter. After drizzling the chocolate layer over the white chocolate, use a table knife or a skewer to gently swirl the layers together. The trick is to avoid overmixing; you want distinct ribbons of color, not a uniformly blended mixture.
4. Set the Fudge Evenly: Once your fudge is swirled into perfection in the pan, give the dish a few gentle taps on the counter. This simple step helps to release any trapped air bubbles, creating a denser, more professional-looking fudge block.
5. Chill for Perfect Slices: Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to fudge. Allow your fudge to chill thoroughly in the refrigerator until it’s firm. This makes it much easier to lift from the pan and cut into neat, small squares, ideal for serving or gifting.

Why You’ll Adore This Easy Fudge Recipe

Beyond its undeniable deliciousness, Tiger Butter Fudge offers a multitude of reasons to become your new favorite dessert. It’s more than just a sweet treat; it’s a convenient, crowd-pleasing, and customizable delight:

• Effortless Preparation: Seriously, it doesn’t get much easier. With just four ingredients and a microwave, you can have this fudge ready in minutes, making it perfect for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests.
• No-Bake Wonder: Forget about turning on the oven! This recipe keeps your kitchen cool and clean, ideal for hot summer days or when you simply don’t want the hassle of baking.
• Irresistible Flavor Combination: The timeless pairing of rich chocolate and savory peanut butter creates a flavor profile that’s universally loved. Each bite is a harmonious blend of sweet and salty notes.
• Visually Stunning: The beautiful, marbled “tiger” pattern makes this fudge a showstopper. It looks incredibly impressive, yet it’s deceptively simple to achieve.
• Perfect for Gifting: Homemade fudge always makes a thoughtful and appreciated gift. Package it in pretty boxes or bags for holidays, birthdays, or just to brighten someone’s day.
• Kid-Friendly Fun: This recipe is simple enough for older children to help with, especially with the stirring and swirling, making it a fun family activity.

Variations and Customizations for Your Tiger Butter Fudge

While the classic Tiger Butter Fudge is perfect as is, it’s also a fantastic canvas for your creative culinary experiments. Here are a few ideas to personalize your batch:

• Nut Butter Swaps: Not a fan of peanut butter? Try almond butter or cashew butter for a slightly different flavor profile. Ensure they are creamy varieties for the best texture.
• Chocolate Choices: Experiment with different types of chocolate! Use all milk chocolate for a sweeter fudge, or all semi-sweet for a richer, darker flavor. You could even try dark chocolate for a more intense contrast with the peanut butter.
• Add-Ins: Fold in some miniature marshmallows, chopped nuts (peanuts, pecans, walnuts), or even crushed cookies (like Oreos) into the melted white chocolate layer before adding the dark chocolate swirl for extra texture and flavor.
• Toppings Galore: Before the fudge sets, sprinkle the top with sea salt flakes to enhance the chocolate and peanut butter flavors, or add sprinkles for a festive look. A drizzle of caramel or a scattering of mini chocolate chips would also be delightful.
• Seasonal Touch: For the holidays, add a pinch of peppermint extract to the dark chocolate layer for a mint chocolate swirl, or a dash of cinnamon for a warming spice note.

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Tiger Butter Fudge

By
Chelsea Lords

Tiger Fudge is a super easy treat made with just four ingredients and a microwave, combining creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate for the ultimate sweet snack!

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Chilling Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
45 minutes

Yields:
54 bars

Equipment

• Sheet pan (9×13 inch)
  A standard 9×13-inch baking pan is perfect for this recipe.
• Parchment paper
  Essential for easy removal and clean-up.
• Microwave-safe bowls

  Two large bowls are needed for melting the chocolate separately.

• Spatulas or sturdy spoons

  For stirring the melting chocolate.

Ingredients

• 4
  cups
  white chocolate chips
  see Note 1 on chocolate quality
• ¾
  cup + 2 tablespoons
  creamy peanut butter
  divided for chocolate layers
• 1
  cup
  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1
  cup
  milk chocolate chips
  or 1 additional cup semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer dark chocolate flavor

Instructions

1. Prepare your pan: Line a 9×13-inch sheet pan (or a similar size baking dish) with parchment paper, ensuring there’s an overhang on the sides. This overhang will act as handles, making it incredibly easy to lift the set fudge out of the pan. If you’re using foil instead of parchment paper, lightly spritz it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set the prepared pan aside.
2. Melt the white chocolate layer: In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and ¾ cup of creamy peanut butter. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, then remove and stir vigorously for 20 seconds. Return to the microwave and continue heating in short bursts of 15 seconds, stirring for 10 seconds between each burst. Repeat this process until the white chocolate is mostly melted. At this point, remove it from the microwave and continue stirring until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. Avoid over-microwaving, as white chocolate can scorch easily. Pour this smooth white chocolate mixture evenly into your prepared pan.
3. Prepare and swirl the dark chocolate layer: In a separate large microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir for 20 seconds. Continue microwaving in 15-second bursts, stirring for 10 seconds after each, until the chocolate is mostly melted. Finish by stirring until completely smooth. Drizzle this melted dark chocolate mixture over the white chocolate layer already in the pan. Immediately use a table knife, skewer, or a small offset spatula to gently swirl the two chocolate layers together, creating beautiful marbled patterns. Be careful not to overmix; you want distinct swirls, not a fully blended color.
4. Chill and serve: Place the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour, or until the fudge is completely chilled and firm to the touch. Once firm, use the parchment paper overhang to gently lift the entire block of fudge from the pan. Transfer it to a cutting board and slice into small, bite-sized squares. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately, or store for later enjoyment.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Quality Chocolate Matters: When chocolate is one of the main ingredients in a recipe, its quality significantly impacts the final taste and texture. This is especially true for Tiger Butter Fudge. We highly recommend using high-quality white, milk, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Better quality chocolate not only provides superior flavor but also contributes to a smoother, more luxurious fudge texture. Lower-grade chocolates often contain fillers, including wax, which can result in an unappetizing, waxy consistency and an off-flavor. Invest in good chocolate for the best fudge experience!

Storage: To maintain its optimal texture and prevent melting, always store leftover Tiger Butter Fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This fudge tends to get quite melty and soft at room temperature due to its low melting point ingredients. Stored properly in the fridge, these delightful bars will stay fresh and delicious for up to one week.

Freezing Instructions: If you wish to store Tiger Butter Fudge for a longer period, it freezes beautifully. Once the fudge is completely set and cut into squares, place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen squares to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving
|
Calories: 128 kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 12 g
|
Protein: 1.3 g
|
Fat: 8.7 g
|
Cholesterol: 10.1 mg
|
Sodium: 14.1 mg
|
Fiber: 0.4 g
|
Sugar: 11.4 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.