12.20.2012

Need a Last Minute Christmas Treat? Make this Simple, Healthy Fudge!



If you have a Christmas party or event to go to, and you don't know what to bring, whip up this super easy and surprisingly nutritious fudge! Plain ol' fudge not your thing? I've got peppermint and peanut butter variations, too! And did you see my Toasted Coconut & Orange Zest version over at Modern Alternative Kitchen last week? Seriously, this fudge is so much fun. And all you have to do is a put a few ingredients in the blender. It will take you five minutes, tops. Here's the basic recipe:

Simple, Healthy Fudge

Ingredients: 
1/2 c. coconut oil
1/2 c. cocoa powder (preferably organic & raw)
1/4-1/2 c. raw, local honey (start with 1/4, taste and add more if desired)
1/2 t. vanilla extract
pinch of unrefined sea salt

Directions:
Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until combined. If you do not have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix or Blend-tec, you may want to gently melt half the coconut oil before blending. (You don't want it hot, so you may want to melt it and then let it cool.)

If you overmix, the fudge may become stretchy. It still tastes great, though!

Pour the blended mixture into a muffin pan lined with paper muffin liners (fill each cup about halfway), or into a loaf pan lined with parchment. Chill until firm (at least an hour, but more is better.)

Note that the fudge becomes soft at room temperature, so it is best to keep it refrigerated and remove just before serving. I like to cut the muffin-sized fudge pieces into quarters because they are so rich. Mini-muffin sized would be great, too!

Variation: Peppermint Fudge

In addition to the above ingredients, add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (start with 1/4 t., taste, and add more if desired). Reduce vanilla to 1/4 teaspoon.

Variation: Peanut Butter Fudge

In addition to basic recipe, add 1/2 c. natural peanut butter, smooth or chunky. Omit salt if peanut butter is salted. If desired, garnish fudge with peanut halves after chilling.



I take no credit for this idea. I originally found the basic idea for these recipes here.

Need more ideas for easy, healthy holiday treats? Try the Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars and Traditional Buckeyes from Festive Traditions: a Real Food Guide to the Holidays!

What are your favorite easy holiday treats?


 This is part of Keep It Real Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Modern Alternative Kitchen

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3 comments:

  1. My brother and I tried to make this this afternoon and we ended up with a semi-solid mass with liquid (coconut oil?) around it. What are we doing wrong? We are using a vita-mix.

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    Replies
    1. Oh no! I'm so sorry! Did you over-mix it, you think? I know it can separate when you mix it too much. I mix it for a very short amount of time, stopping to scrape down the sides if necessary. Did you melt the oil or not? I think with a vitamix it's best to not melt it, as I've found that melting it also makes it separate. Let me know if that helps! :(

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    2. Our honey was rather melted, so that could have been the problem. We'll have to try it again sometime.

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