Nothing says summer more than fresh-made refrigerator fudge. Looking for a sweet, guilt-free treat? This creamy dark chocolate fudge is wonderful, and so easy with no baking required. Best of all, this tasty recipe is paleo, gluten-free and dairy-free and generally speaking hassle-free.
What is Guilt-Free Fudge?
It’s like grandma’s old fashioned fudge recipe only good for you. Delicious, creamy, indulgent, and the ultimate comfort food, but without a side of regret. This recipe is a plant-based creation. No need to worry about your processed sugar or calorie intake either; this delicious fudge is both flavorful and surprisingly healthy. And pairs excellently with summer fruits – blueberries, cherries, peaches, watermelon, even cantaloupe.
Benefits:
- Natural, non-processed
- Gut-friendly
- Low caffeine - most chocolate has high caffeine
One tablespoon of pure cocoa powder contains 12 milligrams of caffeine. That's about an eighth of the amount of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup of coffee. According to the USDA, 3.5 ounces, or 100 grams of sweetened cocoa powder contains about 230 milligrams of caffeine. - Healthy fat – coconut oil
- Healthier nut butter (than peanut butter)
- Raw – all nutrients intact
We always encourage you to enhance with your food with healthy additions.
If you like your fudge a bit on the fancy side why not add any one of the following ingredients:
- Nuts for nuts? Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts
- Like your fudge a little on the sweet side? Try adding dried fruit, adding 1/4 cup of dried cherries, blueberries or cranberries
- Chocolate lovers unite! Add a 1/4 cup cocoa nibs
- Coconut flakes add flavor and crunch
- And for salt-sweet lovers – sprinkle Sea Salt crystals on top before chilling
How to Make Guilt-Free Fudge
In just a few steps, and no time in the oven you can whip this recipe together inside of 15 minutes.
- First, you’ll want to gather all of your ingredients. They are probably already in your pantry. You will need: Vanilla, Sea Salt, Bee lnspired Buckwheat Blossom Honey, Coconut Oil, Cashew Butter and Cocoa Powder. Note: no worries if you don’t like coconut flavor; you cannot taste it in the fudge!
- Line an 8”x8" glass baking dish and line with parchment paper
- Next, with little effort, place all ingredients in a food processor or a bowl and mix.
- Pour the fudge mixture into paper lined glass baking dish with edges of the paper rising up the sides of the dish
- Chill until the fudge sets for 1 hour in refrigerator or 20 minutes in the freezer.
- When the fudge sets, lift fudge out of dish, using the edges of the paper and place it onto a cutting board and cut into squares with a large, sharp knife (to avoid crumbling).
Tips to Keep Your Fudge Fresh and Delicious
Can you freeze fudge?
Yes, fudge freezes well. I packed mine in wax-paper in individual portions for easy access as an after dinner treat for weeks to com. That way you can take out just the amount you want to serve to warm up for five minutes before eating. This also provides some discipline on how may portions you consume at one time! It’s hard to resist having JUST ONE MORE!
How long does fudge last?
You can store this delicious fudge for up to three weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Does fudge need to be refrigerated?
Yes, this particular recipe keeps better in the refrigerator. At room temperature, it will melt due to the coconut oil.
Is fudge gluten-free?
Yes, provided you use gluten-free ingredients, this fudge calls for all gluten-free ingredients. It is also process-sugar free.
Whether you’re looking for a new recipe or searching for a decadent treat to share with friends and family, Guilt-Free Fudge has all the taste but none of the guilt. Come join our community of health-minded foodies as we test out this new–and may we say delicious–creation and make room in our diets for indulgences like this one!
For a sweeter flavor profile, try using our Cranberry Honey instead!
Want to know what a good friend is?
A friend who not only shares a recipe with us, but beautifully makes the dish and shares it also! A heartfelt thanks to my friend Kathleen for not only sharing this easy-to-make recipe but also for making it for us to shoot and share with you. Thank you Kathleen and friend, Jolie for sharing this amazing plant-based fudge recipe that delivers amazing taste and texture with its all natural, raw ingredients.
Kathleen also shared this expert hack: