I Made The Pioneer Woman's 'Sweet & Salty Fudge' and It's the Best Quick Treat for Any Occasion (2024)

Updated: Oct. 06, 2023

This Pioneer Woman fudge recipe combines the best of both worlds. Here's what we thought about her Sweet and Salty Fudge.

Homemade fudge is an all-time favorite potluck dessert, no matter the occasion. But sometimes, this treat can be too sweet. Luckily, Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman has the perfect solution: a Sweet & Salty Fudge recipe.

Made with just five ingredients, we put this Pioneer Woman fudge recipe to the test. It uses chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk for an easy two-ingredient fudge base. Then, it’s topped with peanut butter, kettle chips and pretzels for a great take on salty and sweet.

How to Make The Pioneer Woman’s Fudge

I Made The Pioneer Woman's 'Sweet & Salty Fudge' and It's the Best Quick Treat for Any Occasion (1)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup kettle chips, lightly crushed
  • 1/2 cup thin pretzel sticks, lightly crushed

Directions

Step 1: Melt the chocolate chips

I Made The Pioneer Woman's 'Sweet & Salty Fudge' and It's the Best Quick Treat for Any Occasion (2)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Line a square baking pan with aluminum foil, then grease the foil with cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan, combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Melt the chocolate chips on low, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth.

Step 2: Pour, top and set

I Made The Pioneer Woman's 'Sweet & Salty Fudge' and It's the Best Quick Treat for Any Occasion (3)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Spread the melted chocolate mixture into the baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter on top and use a skewer or butter knife to swirl the peanut butter into the chocolate. Sprinkle the crushed chips and pretzels over top.

Let the fudge cool for 30 minutes on the counter. Then transfer it to the fridge for one hour to set.

Once set, remove the fudge from the fridge and lift it out of the pan. Peel the foil from the sides and cut the fudge into small squares.

Here’s What I Thought

I Made The Pioneer Woman's 'Sweet & Salty Fudge' and It's the Best Quick Treat for Any Occasion (4)GETTY IMAGES, Molly Allen for taste of Home

The Pioneer Woman is known for homemade desserts, like her fantastic Knock You Naked Brownies and Chocolate Pie, and this recipe certainly stacks up! I was surprised by how easy it was to throw this fudge together. It truly only took 15 minutes of prep time. But it’s important to note that you do need to work fast. The fudge mixture begins to set quickly, so have the peanut butter and salty toppings ready to add right away.

Overall, this Pioneer Woman fudge is incredibly delicious. It’s hard to stop at one (or two) pieces! While the crushed chips and pretzels do add a touch of salt and great texture, I wanted more salt to balance out the sweetness. Next time I make this recipe, I may try it with a sprinkle of flaked sea salt as well. Another change? Spreading the mixture into the foil-lined pan as directed was easy enough. However, next time I’ll swap the foil for parchment paper to make for easier cutting and a nicer presentation.

I stored my fudge in an airtight container on the countertop. This is the perfect recipe to have on hand when you need a quick treat or want to wrap up a batch as a gift.

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I Made The Pioneer Woman's 'Sweet & Salty Fudge' and It's the Best Quick Treat for Any Occasion (2024)
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