Rich, indulgent, and made with just 5 ingredients – this Healthy Chocolate Fudge is vegan, paleo, oil-free, and sweetened naturally!
When life hands you peanuts and you discover a bag of pretzels in the back of the top shelf of the pantry that you cannot remember when/why you bought…fudge. Fudge is the answer.
Maybe not the only answer, because peanuts + pretzel is a pretty bomb combo that has a lot of recipe potential (peanut pretzel streusel something was a close runner up), but it’s a really really good answer. Adding a deeply dark chocolate, date-sweetened, hunk of no-bake chocolate heaven underneath just makes sense.
I know “healthy” is a tricky adjective – this is not fudge made from kale, sorry to disappoint. But it is also not fudge made from butter or milk marshmallow fluff. This is fudge that falls gracefully somewhere in between leafy greens and candy shop. This is fudge that you can eat two pieces back to back without feeling like you have become sugar. This is fudge that makes me question why I waited so long to make homemade Healthy Chocolate Fudge?
Healthier Fudge Ingredients
I truly could not be happier with this easy lineup. We got:
- Unsweetened chocolate. You can use dark or semi-sweet, but the dates are sweet enough so I recommend 100% cacao a.k.a. unsweetened.
- Medjool dates. And yes you should soak them first unless they are already super squishy, date chunks = NOT dreamy fudge texture.
- Coconut milk. I haven’t tested with other milks, almond might work, but I can tell you for sure that canned coconut milk will yield the best fudge texture.
- Cocoa (or cacao) powder. It is healthy CHOCOLATE fudge after all.
- Salt. Be generous with your pinching.
- Toppings. I topped mine with crush pretzels and toasted peanuts, but I left you some other ideas in the notes section. Also no toppings, just unadulterated fudge flavor, would be delicious.
A Few Fudge Tips
- Soak the dates for easier smoother blending.
- Have all the ingredients at room temp so the melted chocolate doesn’t seize up when mixing.
- Mix the date mixture and cocoa powder first, then add the chocolate. The mixture will thicken quite quickly once you add the melted chocolate.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
- Line the pan with parchment (not wax) paper for easier removal.
One of these fudgy squares in the evening post-dinner/pre-bed for a sweet something…HITS THE SPOT. It’s something so much better experienced than written about, so happy fudge making to you!
P.S. If you are tiptoe-ing into the pumpkin mood already, I got fall fudge for you too.
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Rich, indulgent, and made with just 5 ingredients – this Healthy Chocolate Fudge is vegan, paleo, oil-free, and sweetened naturally!
Ingredients
- 8oz unsweetened chocolate
- 1 cup (200g) pitted medjool dates
- 2/3 cup (160g) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup (50g) cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- Crushed pretzels and chopped peanuts for topping*
Instructions
- Soak the dates in warm water for 10 minutes. Drain.
- Blend the dates and coconut milk until very smooth.
- Melt the chocolate.
- In a bowl, combine the date paste, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the melted chocolate. It will get quite thick.
- Press into a lined pan (mine was 8×5″), top with peanuts and pretzels, refrigerate overnight.
- Slice and eat. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
*Optional. Leave them off or replace with cacao nibs, chopped hazelnuts, coconut flakes, etc.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 223
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 66mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
Keywords: vegan, paleo, sugar free, dairy free, easy, peanut, pretzel, salted, dark chocolate, no bake, dessert, medjool dates
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Many thanks for another fab recipe. How did you know I was craving chocolate? I am off to the kitchen to make this right now. Cheers!!
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Hahaha perfect timing…although craving chocolate almost always applies if you are anything like me. Hope you love it Lori😊
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I’ve never commented, but I read every single one of your recipes and drool over them. I’ve shared them with so many friends. We are making this tomorrow! I am *hoping* there will be leftovers for camping, but I bet there won’t be. Love your work!
★★★★★
Ah Lindsey that means so much to me❤️ Appreciate your ongoing support and sharing, happy fudge making to you and good luck making it last!
All the pictures are so lucrative that i wish i could have it right now.
Thank you for this finger licking deserts. the chocolate fudge seems so yummy .
Let’s hope for the best.
I am so happy you are enjoying the recipes, this one is definitely worth making for yourself😋
Hi, can this fudge be frozen and how long does it keep fresh?? I’m looking for a recipe for Xmas gifts! Looks yummy!
Never tried freezing it and I worry it may mess up the texture (but you can try it!). It lasts in the fridge a good week to week and a half though!
what a delicious recipe! even my little girls licked their plates clean 🙂 i thought it was quite an adult dessert but they loved it.
i would like to make it for my daughterd birthday party do you think it would work if i make it in silicon chocolate molds? like small chocolates?thank you
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I am soooooo happy you guys loved it, best kind of review especially from kiddos too🤗🤗 And yes I love that idea, it will work great in a silicone mold and be adorable. Just make sure you keep them chilled right up until serving!
thank you so much for your quick reply! i’m going to try it and will let you know how it comes out
★★★★★
Oops totally forgot to get back to you. It came out great only worked when frozen. I had first tried taking it out of the mold after refrigerating it but it didn’t come out so neat. My birthday girl was really happy with it
★★★★★
I am so happy it was a success, appreciate you taking the time to come back and share❤️