A healthier take on Rocky Road Fudge but still with all the chunky, nutty, decadence this holiday treat is about. No sugar or oil or cooking required!
THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY NATURAL DELIGHTS.
Truthfully I think it should be renamed to Lusciously Smooth With Marshmallow Speed Bumps Road, because this fudge is nothing but…creamy? No creamy makes me think of custard. Velvety? But that makes me think of eating a tufted sofa. Decadent definitely applies, but that’s about more than just texture…
Oh wait, it’s FUDGY.
Or is that like defining a word with the word itself – defining a fudge with fudgy itself. Did I just break dictionary law with chocolate?
Well pick your favorite adjective from above because this fudge is all of them (minus the couch part). I think I was just trying really hard to avoid having to use the word mouthfeel because it heebie-jeebies me out even more than moist. But sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do to convey how very VERY good this fudge is in words. So here it goes: This Rocky Road Fudge has a wonderfully smooth and rich…mouthfeel (*cringe*).
Thank goodness that’s over.
The last time I had fudge was actually from Honeydukes at Universal Studios. It wasn’t vegan. It wasn’t healthy. It was accompanied by Butterbeer because when in Hogsmeade. So it’s been a hot minute.
Little known fact about me – I’ve never made my own fudge (that I can remember, mom?). It’s just always been one of those treats that I associate with confection shops on vacation or maybe a holiday party. Growing up I was anti nuts in desserts, (and for some reason marshmallow-only fudge doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves) so I usually avoided fudge.
By some peoples definition I still haven’t made fudge, because this isn’t your typical chocolate chips + sweetened condensed milk microwave recipe. Although it is almost as easy. Actually you don’t have to heat a thing, so maybe it’s easier. And it’s certainly healthier. And feel free to do your own side-by-side, but I am most positive it’s yummier too. But even if you don’t agree that unprocessed whole food sweetness in the form of medjool dates is actually yummier than plain ol’ white sugar, I think you might agree than fudge with PEANUT BUTTER is yummier than fudge without. And this fudge has peanut butter.
Hate peanut butter but love fudge? Any other kind of nut or seed butter will work instead. Don’t worry, I gotcha my fudge-loving friend.
When you use magical medjool dates from Natural Delights as the base, there’s not too much more a fudge needs. They are the perfect sugar swap amidst so much holiday sweetness, and this coconut oil-free fudge wouldn’t be able to set properly without them. But the rest of the list looks like:
- Nut butter for richness and creamy texture, plus it works with the dates to make the fudge slice into perfect squares after chilling.
- Cocoa or cacao powder because rocky road = chocolate required.
- Sea salt because everything sweet + chocolate is better with salt.
- And the mix-ins – mini marshmallows and chopped nuts (I used walnuts).
Just because I said medjool dates, don’t go thinking this is another raw brownie recipe masquerading as fudge. The texture is 100% fudge, not fruit + nut bar.
While we patiently wait for someone to invent a fruit-sweetened marshmallow, if you want to swap those out for dried fruit or coconut flakes you could. Or even chopped chunks of medjool date for a similar squishysweet experience. And if you wanted to sub almonds or pecans or even pumpkin seeds for the walnuts you could do that too. It’s your fudge, mix in whatever chunky things make you happy.
I popped my fudge in the freezer overnight to chill and firm up, but it actually holds its shape just fine in the fridge too. It will start to get sticky and too soft if left at room temp for more than 15-20 minutes though. Personally I recommend eating it from the fridge, that’s my favorite texture. But really is there any temperature at which chocolate + marshmallows + nuts isn’t appealing?
Or skip all the mix-ins for the minimalist just chocolate experience.
Thank you rocky road fudge for being the winter-appropriate indoor version of a s’more. Just sub fireplace for campfire.
Rocky Road Fudge
- Yield: 12 squares 1x
Description
A healthier take on Rocky Road Fudge but still with all the chunky, nutty, decadence this holiday treat is about. No sugar or oil or cooking required!
Ingredients
- 8–10 (150g) pitted medjool dates
- 1/2 cup (140g) nut or seed butter (I used peanut butter)
- 1/3 cup (30g) cacao powder
- 3–4 tbsp non-dairy milk
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup (120g) chopped nuts (I used walnuts)
- 1 cup (100g) mini marshmallows (see post for alternate ideas!)
Instructions
- Soak the medjool dates in warm water for 30 minutes beforehand.
- Drain excess water. Add the medjool dates and nut butter to a blender or food processor.
- Blend on low speed to form a thick smooth paste. You will need to stop and scrape down the sides at least a few times. Add the milk slowly as needed, trying to add as little as possible.
- Add the cacao powder and salt. Blend again until combined, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. It will be very thick and not blend easily.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add the marshmallows and nuts, and mix (I suggest hands here!)
- Press into a shallow pan or dish lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate or freeze overnight until firm.
- Slice into squares and enjoy!
- Keep in the freezer for a firm chewy texture, or in the fridge for a softer texture.
CLICK BELOW TO PIN
Thank you Natural Delights for sponsoring this post!
Omg, you just about kill me! That whole opening first paragraph had me rolling! The couch reference, the moist reference and finally the “mouthfeel cringe” LOL. You are so funny, hahaha! I think it is hilarious how many people hate the word moist, but I know that is a big one for many. It doesn’t bother me one iota because how else does one describe a perfectly baked moist muffin or cake? We certainly don’t want it wet, lol. But seems half the world hates, it, hahaha.
Ok, enough rambling of the nasty words you hate! This FUDGE! I love, love that you came up with a rocky road flavor, for one, and second, that it’s pretty super healthy…the only unhealthy part is the marshmallows and there is no way in hell those are going anywhere. We both share our love for those mini marshmallows and I would thoroughly enjoy getting one in each bite. The whole texture and bits in every bite look so amazing! I really love how you didn’t skip on the add-ins because it looks just beautiful Natalie!
P.S. Get ready to see the word “moist” in my post tomorrow, lmao!
What’s with all these cringey M words? But I actually don’t hate moist too too much either because there really is no other appropriate term sometimes. “this cake is wonderfully wet”…um EW. That’s even more gross😜😂 Oh there is no way I was making rocky road without those squishy little guys. I’ve gotten sooooo many comments/questions about leaving them out, which actually surprised me because I cannot fathom how anyone doesn’t love them…it’s like not loving puppies lol. Anyways, to each their own. Oooh the MOIST teaser haha! Is it weird that I keep checking your blog for something gingerbread to pop up even though i know I’ll get the email? Hopping over there right now😊
Lmao!! Exactly what I mean…if we describe the cake as “perfectly wet” that would just be GROSS, hahaha! Seriously, how can people NOT like marshmallows….are they a human?? LOL.
It’s not that we don’t like mm’s, but they are full of sugar, so for those that eat clean, sugar is out. They look delicious, but with all the processed sugar from the mm, it’s not a healthy option, I mean that’s cool, we can just omit them, easy fix. Delicious recipe though and thanks for whoever went to the trouble to make these, then share the recipe. Many Blessings
Geez, you are truly amazing! Rocky road is that one type of chocolate that you just have a strong craving for! It sends some of us women into getting that Rocky Road Mocha, or using creamers that are non dairy but, just don’t quite do it for us! Your pictures, ingenious recipes and talent are outstanding in the field! You’re good! Really, really good! And, I share your works gleefully!
★★★★★
Thank you Karen for the kind words and for sharing <3 Mmm yes, I completely agree! It's a simple chocolatey combo but one of my faves, I'm a sucker for anything marshmallow 😀
Does it taste good with out the marshmallows? i would like to add cranberries instead. what do you think?
Absolutely, that would be delish!
Do you have to use medjool dates? Can you use the store bought ones? Also what is the calorie count on this. Thanks. Gotta watch the calories!sa
You could use regular dates, but you will need to really soak them until they are soft to them to get it to blend as it’s already tricky to blend with the medjools. I don’t calculate calories personally, but you can plug the ingredients into here and figure it out: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
Just made this and it’s amazing! I added a tbsp of maple syrup so my picky family will think it’s sweet enough, but next time I’ll add more dates. I went on the low end, so now I know. 🙂 SO GOOD though!! Thank you!
★★★★★
Hi Michelle! I am so happy to hear it was a success🤗 Ha totally can relate on the picky family, but more dates will make it sweeter too. Dates are tricky to measure, by weight works best, but a few extra certainly won’t hurt here 😊 Thanks for the feedback and happy holidays!
Teach. Me. Your. Fudgy. Ways.
Probably one of my all-time favorite treats, and I’ll leave it to you to still make it SO beautiful even as a vegan version!
My fudgy ways = DATES! Fudge without dates and I’d be totally lost. Fudge without mini marshmallows and it would just be a disgrace🙄
Natalie, you are really hilarious. I love visiting your blog for your humor and adore your recipes as a bonus! Dee xx
★★★★★
Ha well thank you Dee for appreciating my randomness 🙂 Much love and happy 2018!
This is a dream come true! Literally all my favorite ingredients – dates, nut butter, cacao powder….and the mini marshmallows! Just too cute! I would devour this pan in an hour, they look so divine!
Ha, right? With that ingredient list even if you just threw everything a bowl and din’t mix at all I’d still devour it in record time 😀
Marshmallows are not vegan. They contain gelatin derived from animal bones, skin, tendons. Do your research!
★
Did you by chance click the link to the marshmallows i use and recommend that clearly say VEGAN on the package?
Also, it’s really annoying and unfair to a blogger when people rate recipes without having made them!
Hey!!! I’m making this for dessert after dinner with friends tonight! The only issue is there seem to be less and less mixture available after every step… because it’s so good i keep eating is as i am making it…
seriously excellent! I can’t wait until they are done freezing! A note for anyone who tried this recipe – do not skip the step where you press it down with parchment paper to get that smoothed finish and do NOT mix with a wooden spoon as it is like the spoon is the center force of gravity and all you get is this big ball of delicious on the end of a stick (probably why I ate so much)…
Thanks for this recipe it’s amazing!!
★★★★★
Hahaha! You had me for a minute there, I was ready to jump in asap to help in time before your dinner tonight 😀 Ohhhh how I can relate though, especially once the mini marshmallows are in there I just can’t stop “sampling”. Thanks for the feedback and tips, and I hope you and your guests LOVE it, Tessa!
Update: it went over very well and I’m taking the leftovers to my mom and sis tonight who are also vegan and who do not often get vegan dessert! Thanks again Natalie
★★★★★
Woohoo! I am so happy it was a success, and I hope they love it too 🙂
The clean up is no joke, super sticky, but so worth it! Quick to make and seriously the most DECADENT dairy free gluten free dessert I’ve ever had, and the healthiest! Fantastic and fudgy and easy! Thanks for such a great recipe! This is also coming from someone that doesn’t typically like dates but used to love fudge before dairy was an enemy.
★★★★★
Woohoo!! That is high praise, wow I am so so happy you liked it. I used to not like dates either believe it or not, and in no-bake chocolate brownies/desserts was the way I learned to love them. I am so happy it was a success and thanks for the awesome feedback Christinea 🙂
Totally random, possibly idiotic, potentially idiotic idea here: If you dissolved a piece of this fudge in hot milk, would that be the best hot chocolate in the world, or just a gloppy mess?
Ha I love this idea, but I think with the dates it wouldn’t dissolve fully unfortunately. I’ll have to come up with a non fruit sweetened fudge and try that😊
omg i tried these and my whole family liked them! they were so good definitely making them again 😉
YAY!! I am so happy you guys enjoyed it, appreciate the feedback Shreya 🙂
I am going to try this for my niece, she is 10 and just found out she is type 1 diabetic. By chance do you know what nutritional break down would be?
Hi Monica! I just calculated the nutrition info for you, it’s right underneath the recipe now. Hope that helps and I hope she loves them!