Have your sweets with ZERO guilt. This recipe for keto peanut butter fudge made with cream cheese has a smooth, creamy texture. It’s one of the best low-carb and sugar-free fudge recipes ever! Just 1.5g carbs a square!
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I was looking for a new low-carb fudge recipe to share over the holidays, and this keto peanut butter fudge is just the thing!
It is everything fudge should be - high fat, sweet, and melts in your mouth. Plus, the cream cheese gives it a creamier texture than my pumpkin fudge or coconut milk fudge.
I’m very impressed with how this fudge turned out!
You can easily pass it off to your friends and family as the real thing. So give this keto peanut butter fudge a try and see for yourself.
I can assure you that this is one of the best keto cream cheese fudge recipes you will ever make! And it’s sure to satisfy a sweet tooth on a low-carb diet.
Why you'll love it
This is the perfect thing to snack on when you are craving something sweet but don't want to go out of ketosis. There are so many different ways to customize this recipe and make it taste differently each time.
Keto peanut butter fudge is high in protein and healthy fats. It's also naturally gluten-free and low in net carbs.
Peanut butter fudge is a wonderful DIY foodie gift too. Almost everyone loves to receive sweet treats as a gift - and they won't even be able to tell that it is sugar-free!
Ingredients
There are just a handful of ingredients in this keto peanut butter fudge recipe. All the ingredients are listed in the printable recipe card. First, I have a bit more information about what I used.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is what gives this keto fudge recipe its thickness and rich flavor. If you don't have cream cheese, you can use Neufchatel or ricotta cheese.
Butter
Since there is so much salt in the peanut butter already, it is best to use unsalted butter. But honestly, if you use salted butter, it won't be noticeable.
You can alternatively use dairy-free butter - also called ghee!
Peanut Butter
Use homemade peanut butter in this recipe if you have some. Otherwise, sugar-free keto peanut butter is the best thing to use.
Sweetener
Vanilla extract adds a touch of sweetness and enhances the flavor.
Sugar-free powdered sugar adds sweetness as well while also stiffening the mixture.
Stevia extract powder is then used to reduce the amount of powdered sweetener needed. Powdered monk fruit extract can be used instead!
Whey Protein
This is also added to stiffen up the mixture without the need for additional powdered sweetener. Any unsweetened kind will work, including collagen powder.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Tips
- For extra peanut flavor, the whey protein can be replaced with peanut flour. Or, use collagen powder for a dairy-free option.
- The stevia and protein powder can be omitted if you up the powdered sweetener to 2 cups.
- Chocolate chips can be added in or you could swirl in some keto chocolate fudge mixture for something extra.
Instructions
The process for making the fudge is pretty easy and doesn’t take too long. However, you will need to allow time for it to set in the refrigerator.
Melt the butter and cream cheese
The recipe begins by melting two sticks of butter with one eight-ounce block of cream cheese. Do this in a pot over medium heat.
Add peanut butter
Once the cheese and butter are melted together, stir in the peanut butter.
I used natural unsweetened creamy peanut butter in the keto cream cheese fudge.
Mix powders
Once the peanut butter is blended in, remove the pot from the heat. Then, add the remaining ingredients.
First, you can stir in the powdered sweetener.
Then, mix in the protein powder and stevia. You can adjust the amount of powder as needed to get the right consistency.
If the mixture is too hot, there may be some oil separation that occurs. This is easily remedied by allowing the mixture to cool down a bit and using an electric hand mixer to blend things together well.
Pour into prepared pan
Once everything is blended together well, pour the mixture into a 9x9-inch lined or greased pan. I use parchment paper so the keto peanut butter fudge will lift right out of the pan.
You can also use a loaf pan to make this dessert!
After evenly spreading the mixture into the pan, place it into the refrigerator to chill until set. It should be ready to cut in as little as two hours, but I prefer letting it sit overnight.
????️ Serving suggestions
This easy keto peanut butter fudge is satisfying all on its own, but it would also taste amazing at a party with your favorite sugar-free treats. Here are some more keto desserts you can make along with it.
Keto peanut butter bark also uses natural peanut butter, and it's really easy to snack on just a few at a time.
Combine your love of peanut butter and chocolate and make some no-bake keto chocolate peanut butter bars. They are so rich and surprisingly only have 1g net carbs in each bar!
If you love peanut butter but have had your fill of desserts, then these healthy peanut butter pancakes are perfect! They are so rich and full of protein.
FAQs
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about how to make it.
Yes, you certainly can make this in the microwave. Just place the cream cheese and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring it really well in between.
When it is completely combined, follow the directions in the recipe card like normal.
You will need to keep it chilled as it does have cream cheese in it and gets soft at room temperature. The fudge should last for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator and up to three months in the freezer.
Remember to keep it in an airtight container so that it lasts as long as possible.
You might want to hide these little bites of peanut butter heaven in the back of the fridge because putting them out front in the open could be dangerous.
When the fudge is within your eyesight, you’ll want to grab a piece every time you open the refrigerator door. Believe me - it’s hard to resist!
For cream cheese peanut butter fat bombs, you can add in some coconut oil to increase the fat content. Or, try using some MCT powder instead of whey protein powder.
Not a fan of peanut butter or have an allergy to deal with? Any seed or nut butter will work in the recipe. So try using sunflower seed butter or almond butter in place of peanut butter.
I haven’t tested out a dairy-free version, but the cream cheese could easily be replaced with an almond milk cream cheese style spread. Butter flavored coconut oil is a great substitute for butter, and collagen powder can be used for whey powder.
You can also sprinkle some sea salt on top. This will enhance all the flavors in it.
Yes, you can certainly add sugar-free chocolate chips to the fudge. Either mix in some low-carb chocolate chips or swirl in some dark chocolate keto fudge.
You can also melt some keto chocolate chips and drizzle it on top of the fudge after it is set.
Related recipes
Want some more great peanut butter keto recipes? Here are some more easy keto recipes that you should make next. They are some of my favorites!
- Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Cookies are perfect for taking a snack on the road.
- Keto Peanut Butter Cake is a favorite everyday dessert or special occasion cake.
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake requires no baking so it’s a great summer dessert.
- Homemade Keto Peanut Butter Cups won’t cause any digestive stress like store bought ones.
- Keto Peanut Butter Balls is an easy recipe with only a handful of ingredients!
But, if you’ve got all the ingredients on hand, be sure to try the fudge first. You won’t regret it! It's my most popular sugar-free fudge recipe!
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Keto Peanut Butter Fudge
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup unsweetened peanut butter add ¼ teaspoon salt if unsalted
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar free powdered sugar or Swerve Confectioners
- ½ cup unflavored whey protein 80 g (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon stevia concentrated powder
Instructions
- Line a 9x9 square pan with parchment paper or grease lightly.
- In saucepan over low heat, melt cream cheese and butter together just until combined. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Stir until smooth..
- Add remaining ingredients. Blend with an electric mixer until well combined. If you have trouble getting the mixture to blend, let it cool down a bit and try blending it again.
- Pour fudge into prepared pan and spread out evenly.
- Chill in refrigerator until set.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission from Lisa MarcAurele is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First Published: June 10, 2016… Last Updated: January 20, 2022, with additional recipe information.
Samantha Temples
Lisa, you are a very talented lady!!! Thank you for the cheesecake recipe! It’s absolutely delicious! I never made one before and your recipe was my first! Thanks again!
Jolene
My family gobbled these up so fast they are so delicious and easy!
Inga
Hi. Just tried this recipe for the first time and followed directions to the letter. Same ingredients, etc. When placing my fudge in the fridge, I licked the spoon I used--and the mixture had an off-putting bitter after-taste. I'm used to Swerve and Stevia, but I've never used an unflavored whey protein before. Could this be the culprit? Hopefully, that taste will go away once the fudge has set. I so want this to be good! Has anyone else had this issue?
Lisa MarcAurele
The whey should have no flavor. It could be a touch too much stevia or the brand of stevia. Swerve also can have a little off taste. I'd say that taste is more likely from one or both of the sweeteners. However, mixing sweeteners usually gives a better taste.
Samantha Whitson
Very good recipe, wonderful flavor too~ yet, for whatever bizarre reason, I cannot get mine to set up! I'm so bummed- considering I'm an experienced, confident cook. I also used cashew butter, AND I doubled it ~ errgghh. Sad day at my house, to say the least. I'm trying again tonight, reheating it slightly, adding some more protein powder & powdered sweetener...crossing ALL my fingers =) Will let you know if any of my S.O.S. attempts helped- mind you, there are no posts anywhere on repairing S.F. fudge, only the "add water" trick for regular, white-sugar-death sort.
Samantha Whitson
*Oops! I suppose I could have included the other reason for commenting, besides thanking you for this, & all your other amazing recipes. If anyone has any tips or ideas on how to "fix" sugar-free candy that doesn't set up, please let me know. =) I should also mention that I did try melting some S.F. white chocolate chips, stirred that in~ no difference. I used cashew butter, allulose, vanilla protein powder, a scoop of collagen- & the rest of the recipe ingredients, as listed. Thank you, in advance! ~Samantha in AZ
Lisa MarcAurele
I'm pretty sure you didn't have enough powder to offset the nut butter.
Laura
Allulose is the culprit… keeps things soft,
Lisa MarcAurele
It could be because you used double the amount of nut butter which is too soft. If you do that, you'll need to add more protein powder and or sweetener.
Kate
Can I substitute the whey protein out? I have a whey allergy but need a sweet fix!
Lisa MarcAurele
Yes. You can use another unsweetened protein powder. Collagen should work too.
Denita
Hi Lisa,
I’ve made your Keto peanut butter fudge recipe twice now! It is sooo good!! This time I added some healthy walnuts????! Then, I ordered your cookbook! I can’t wait to try some of those recipes as well. I’ve been having great success on Keto and I’ve helped convince a friend to start on it as well.
Thank you so much and keep those delicious recipes coming! You ROCK!
Lisa MarcAurele
You're very welcome Denita! So excited to hear about your success. Enjoy the 5-ingredient cookbook!
Pam Keller
I just made this and it is yummy. I let the cream cheese and butter sit out and soften so I did not heat it. I also did not use Stevia instead I added a mixture I make of Erythritol and Xylitol which topped off the sweetness. I also used PB2 powder. Really good treat.