1-Gather Your Supplies: First, start by getting all your ingredients ready. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish and line it with parchment paper or foil, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. This step helps the fudge release without sticking and makes for clean cuts.

2-Gather Your Supplies: Next, measure out your ingredients precisely: 1 cup of creamy no-stir peanut butter, 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 2 1/2 cups of sifted powdered sugar. Having everything pre-measured speeds things up and reduces errors, which is great for busy parents or college students.

3-Melting and Mixing: Now, in a medium saucepan, melt the peanut butter and butter together over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and gently boiling, which usually takes just a few minutes. Once it’s ready, remove it from the heat to avoid overcooking.

4-Melting and Mixing: Then, stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and lump-free. If you like, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to balance the sweetness and enhance that peanutty fudge taste. This part is where the magic happens, turning simple ingredients into a creamy delight.

5-Setting and Cutting: Pour the mixture into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Let it cool at room temperature for several hours or pop it in the fridge for about one hour until it’s firm. For the best results, use a hot knife dipped in water and wiped clean between cuts to get smooth edges on your 1-inch squares, yielding around 64 pieces.