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January 3, 2007 | 8 Comments

We've been flooded with requests for GK's peanut butter fudge recipe as seen/heard on the New Year's Eve special, so here it is:

1 lb. box powdered sugar
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (18 oz.) jar smooth peanut butter
2 sticks margarine
1 (12 oz.) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 stick margarine

In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs & the whole jar of peanut butter. Melt 2 sticks margarine & pour over dry mixture. Mix well. Spread in 9 x 13" pan. Pat evenly and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

Melt 1 stick margarine & bag of chocolate chips. Mix well. Pour over peanut butter base.

Refrigerate for another 1/2 hour before cutting bars. Store in fridge.

8 Comments

Jim Head | January 3, 2007 4:04 PM

Was in Nashville during your show and absolutely loved it! Started the year off correctly.

JimBob | January 3, 2007 9:53 PM

Happy New Year G.K. and Crew,

I am so happy to find the recipe posted on your site for this yummy treat. We shall make it soon! Thank you. Your New Years Eve televised special was truly special. My wife and I enjoyed it very much. All of it. We hope to see more of your shows on the tube. Saturday is not complete if we have not tuned in to your weekly radio show on KWMU of St. Louis. Decent entertainment is hard to find. Keep up the good work and keep your stick on the ice. :) JimBob

Tom Emory | January 3, 2007 10:21 PM

Just HAD to let Y'ALL know how much the New years show was enjoyed here at my home. My wife works the midnite shift as a 911 dispatcher so it was just me,"Speck"(my 80lb pitbull) a bottle of wine, some cheese, crarkers and sliced apples. The show made me smile, laugh outloud,and even brought a few tears.The tears came when Robin and Linda reminded everyone that this was the 53rd anniversary of Hank Williams passing. That brought back memories of my late father waking me up when he came in from work at 6am New Years 1953. I was 11 and the sight of my Dad with tears in his eyes was enough to let me know just how much he loved someone he had only heard on the radio.
Fortunately I have a high def tv with TIVO and taped the show.
Tonite January 3 my wife and I watched the show together. She loved it also. Thank Y'ALL once again for some good clean wholesome entertainment. PLEASE make this show an annual event.
Tom E
Virginia Beach, VA

karilyn mcloughlin | January 4, 2007 10:07 AM

I taped the new year's eve special because i knew i'd never stay up that late. I may have set the timer incorrectly, actually I probably did, because the second half of the show was not on it. I'm kicking myself because I loved watching the first part on New Year's Day and I'm so disappointed....any chance it will air again or become available on cd or tape? It was such great fun to watch and I found myself wishing I was there.

JB | January 7, 2007 9:42 AM

The peanut butter fudge recipe is a great one, GK, but ditch the margarine for butter! You're from a great dairy area and margarine, though lauded by your generation (does anyone really know what it is made of? [...if it were purely a corn product that would be different]), is akin to Olestra (TM) in my mind. A little bit of fat is good for you. This comment was neither endorsed nor condemmed by the Dairy Council or whatever the name of the Corn Grower's lobby is. ;~)

dee pearson | January 12, 2007 5:52 PM

i simply have to wonder why the recipe calls for margarine. is there something in the texture or is the issue economy? 20 years ago folks thought margarine was healthier, but now we know it is much the worse for us all. after reading that gk prefers organic food it just seems so out of place when our good friend butter comes in lovely sticks its own self. no, i don't have a dog in that fight no matter what standard you use to measure (the dogs that is). i just have to wonder. thanks for the new years' eve show. it sure was more fun than whatever we did last year. have a great new year.

Polly Culberson | January 14, 2007 9:44 AM

I haven't tried your peanut butter fudge recipe, but I found one that is easy and super-duper.

In an electric skillet, combine:

2 cups sugar
3 tbsp. butter
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. salt

Set temp. at 280 degrees. Bring to full boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes exactly.

Turn off heat and add:

1 cup tiny marshmallows
1-1/2 cups chunky (or smooth) peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together thoroughly until marshmallows are melted, and pour into a buttered pan. (8 x 8).

Once you've tried it, you'll want to increase the ingredients exponentially. It is supremely smooth and definitely addictive. Enjoy.

P.S. I have loved APHC for ages. It has brought me up from depths I do not care to remember or repeat. Thanks so much for all the music, humor and pathos.

Elizabeth Machan Earnest | May 5, 2010 4:47 PM

Dear Mr. Keillor, I was surprised that you would no longer be writing for Salon.com. But I certainly don't blame you. The comments the 'great unwashed' make to all its article, including yours are appalling! But, as so many things lost have a tendency to do, I have found you and your wit elsewhere on the net.

Delighted! Incidentally, I include my maiden name only to indicate that we share a common heritage and that pleases me.

Please keep well. Lovingly, Elizabeth Machan Earnest