Tiger Butter

Tiger butter is a sweet snack made with peanut butter, white chocolate and milk chocolate. When swirled together, the brown and tan layers resemble tiger stripes. It’s sometimes called tiger butter fudge, candy or bark, and it really falls somewhere between the three. Despite its rich, chocolaty character, it’s not nearly as sweet as most Christmas bark recipes. And the peanut butter gives it a creamy consistency that mimics traditional fudge recipes, but the cooking process is significantly easier than making candy.

Really, that ease of preparation is one of the things we love most about this tiger butter recipe. The fudge base has only three ingredients—chocolate, peanut butter and shortening. They don’t need to be boiled together, either, so you don’t have to worry about using a candy thermometer or troubleshooting common fudge mistakes. Simply melt the ingredients together and assemble the swirly layers in a baking pan.

Tiger Butter Ingredients

• Chocolate: This tiger butter fudge recipe uses a combination of white and milk chocolate chips to create a swirled effect. We use vanilla chips, but you can use any white baking chocolate.
• Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter is best in this recipe because it melts smoothly for easy-to-swirl layers. Of course, if you absolutely adore a chunky peanut butter brand, feel free to swap it in.
• Shortening: We add a little shortening to each layer to keep the chocolate from seizing as it melts.
• Butter: The tiger butter fudge firms up in a foil-lined pan that’s greased with butter to prevent sticking. If you don’t want to use butter, any cooking spray or neutral oil will work.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the vanilla layer

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Line a 9-inch square pan with foil, and grease the foil with butter. Set aside.

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In a heavy saucepan, melt the vanilla chips, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1 tablespoon shortening over low heat. Cook and stir constantly until smooth.

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Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.

Step 2: Prepare the chocolate layer

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In another heavy saucepan, melt the milk chocolate chips, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1 tablespoon shortening over low heat. Cook and stir constantly until smooth.

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Drizzle the mixture over the vanilla layer.

Step 3: Swirl the layers

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Swirl the fudge layers with a sharp knife or toothpick.

Step 4: Chill the tiger butter fudge

Refrigerate the fudge for 30 minutes or until firm.

Step 5: Cut it into squares

Using the foil, lift the fudge out of the pan. Gently peel off the foil, and cut the tiger butter into 1-inch squares.

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Tiger Butter Variations

• Make it thinner: For a thinner, more bark-like tiger butter, spread the layers into a 15x10x1-inch pan lined with parchment or waxed paper. Refrigerate until firm, and break the bark into pieces before serving.
• Use the microwave: To make microwave fudge, place the chocolate, shortening and peanut butter for each layer in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for one minute on 70% power, then stir the mixture. Continue to microwave and stir in 30-second increments until the chocolate has fully melted. Every microwave behaves differently, so keep a close eye on the chocolate to avoid overcooking.
• Change the flavors: Try other flavored baking chips, like Bailey’s Irish cream or cinnamon chips. You can also swap in dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate to tone down the sweetness of the chocolate layer.

How to Store Tiger Butter

You can store tiger butter fudge in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Store the fudge in a single layer, or place waxed paper between the layers to prevent sticking. If storing it at room temperature, tuck the container in a cool, dark place (like a cupboard or pantry) so the fudge doesn’t melt.

How long does tiger butter fudge last?

Fudge lasts for one to two weeks when stored at room temperature. It lasts a bit longer in the fridge, between two to three weeks.

Can you freeze tiger butter?

You can freeze the tiger butter recipe for up to three months. Wrap the fudge in waxed paper, then in aluminum foil or storage wrap to protect it from freezer burn. Store the wrapped fudge in a freezer-safe container. Thaw the fudge for two to three hours before eating.

Tiger Butter Tips

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Do you have to use shortening in a tiger butter recipe?

You don’t have to use shortening in a tiger butter recipe, but we add it to keep the chocolate from seizing as it melts. Seizing is a common fudge mistake that occurs when the chocolate is exposed to added moisture, which can cause clumpy, grainy fudge. The shortening’s fat adds a protective layer to keep the chocolate nice and smooth.

If you don’t want to use shortening, you can omit it or substitute lard. However, we don’t recommend using butter or margarine. The difference between butter, margarine, shortening and lard is that lard and shortening are 100% fat, while butter and margarine are emulsions that contain water. The extra moisture will change the tiger butter’s texture and consistency.

What is the best way to cut tiger butter?

To create perfect cubes of tiger butter, place the finished fudge in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The cold temperatures will firm up the fudge so a knife can slice through it cleanly. Better yet, consider skipping the knife and using a bench scraper (one of our Test Kitchen’s secrets to cutting dessert bars). This tool allows you to use an up-down cutting motion, creating perfectly clean edges, instead of dragging a knife through the fudge.