Best Chocolate Fudge Recipe • Happy Kitchen (2024)

Wonderfully sweet, delightfully gooey, this is without question the best chocolate fudge recipe made without condensed milk (and sugar!) you’re ever going to have! Feel free to indulge yourself with this vegan fudge without any guilt or second guessing.

Best Chocolate Fudge Recipe • Happy Kitchen (1)

Jump to Recipe

Despite the face that traditional fudge is delightfully sweet, it comes with a few problems.

First, it can be slightly complicated and messy to make – especially if you don’t have a candy thermometer. Cooking it for too long, or too hot can result in a horrible mess.

Second, since the primary ingredients in fudge are typically sugar, butter, milk, or in some cases condensed milk, it is not a vegan friendly treat, nor is the enormous sugar content going to do your body much good.

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This vegan fudge recipe is a fantastic and satisfying alternative to a traditional chocolate fudge.

  • It is 100% plant-based (if you are careful to use vegan chocolate).
  • Instead of using cups and cups of processed white sugar, you’ll be using healthy, nutritious and oh so tasty Medjool dates, thus reaping the healthy rewards of a whole food.
  • Instead of feeling a sugar low after a sugar high, this fudge will boost your energy!

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Ingredients for the Best Healthy Chocolate Fudge

To make the best chocolate fudge you’ve ever tried, gather the following ingredients:

  • dairy-free chocolate chips, or your choice of chocolate chopped up into small pieces,
  • chopped Medjool dates,
  • tahini paste,
  • coconut oil,
  • coconut milk (the solid part),
  • vanilla extract,
  • sea salt

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthy fudge treat! What makes this simple fudge recipe wonderfully delicious and nutritious are the medjool dates, coconut oil and a surprising ingredient: tahini paste.

Though perhaps not the first ingredient you’d think about including when making fudge, tahini gives this vegan fudge recipe a very creamy, and slightly nutty flavor.

Like coconut oil, tahini is highly nutritious, full of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and is rich in antioxidants.

Medjool dates differ from regular dates in that they are sweeter, softer, and squishier. They’re also chock-full of dietary fiber, vitamins, and key minerals such as calcium and potassium.

Because of their sweetness and texture they work perfectly for healthy fudge with the added bonus of an instant energy boost.

For another quick, energy boosting treat, try these vegan peanut butter energy balls.

Since they are also made with Medjool dates, they are packed with the perfect amount of sweetness to satisfy a craving, are gluten-free, and are a perfectly chewy on-the-go snack.

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How to Make the Best Chocolate Fudge Recipe

This is such a simple fudge recipe you’ll be able to whip it up in a matter of minutes (check the chocolate fudge web story for quick step-by-step instructions).

Make sure everything is at room temperature and then combine all the ingredients into a pot and cook on low heat until the chocolate is melted.

Keep in mind that the heat is not too high, nor cook the mixture for too long otherwise it will curdle.

Line a 12 x 7 baking dish, evenly distribute the chocolate mixture and sprinkle with sea salt. Depending on how quickly you’d like to enjoy chocolate fudge you have two options:

  • Place the pan in the freezer for about 30 minutes,

or

  • Place the pan in the fridge for two hours.

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If you’re feeling generous, slice up the chocolate fudge, wrap it in a bit of wax paper and gift it to somebody precious to you. I assure you they’re going to feel loved!

Another yummy Christmas gift idea are these three decadent and creamy chocolate truffle variations or healthy no-bake granola bars or flavorful salted caramel candied walnuts.

Why This Recipe Works

Here are some great reasons why this is the best chocolate fudge recipe:

  • It’s an easy fudge recipe without condensed milk.
  • Thanks to Medjool dates, it’s low in sugar and full of energy.
  • You have no need for a candy thermometer.
  • 100% plant-based.
  • Healthy and nutritious.
  • Quick and easy to prepare.
  • There are minimal ingredients.
  • Enjoy a guilt-free, energy boosting snack.
  • It contains healthy fats that can even help you burn fat!
  • Chocolate fudge is a wonderful chocolate lover gift idea.

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Cook’s Tips

  • This vegan fudge makes for a great holiday dessert, along with vegan truffles, candied walnuts and German Christmas cookies.
  • Before you start making the fudge, make sure all the ingredients are are at room temperature.
  • Cook the mixture on low to medium heat stirring constantly and remove it from the stove when the chocolate is fully melted. Don’t overcook it!
  • For quicker cooling, place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
  • You can freeze this vegan fudge for up to 1 month or refrigerate for up to 7 days.
  • Use a smaller dish if you want your chocolate fudge to be thicker.
  • For another quick and nutritious treat try these vegan chocolate peanut butter energy balls.

Recipe Variations

  • Replace sea salt topping with dried lavender, chopped nuts or more chocolate chips.
  • Add chopped walnuts or pecans after the mixture is cooked for a little crunch.
  • Peanut butter can be substituted for tahini paste.

Here is the recipe video and full instructions for this chocolate fudge recipe. If you don’t see the video, disable your AdBlock for this page by clicking on the AdBlock button and selecting Don’t run on this page.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe, and if so, make sure to give it a 5-star rating! I really appreciate your feedback!

Best Chocolate Fudge Recipe • Happy Kitchen (7)

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4.79 from 14 votes

Best Chocolate Fudge Recipe

This sweet and gooey chocolate fudge recipe is made without condensed milk or sugar and is 100% guilt-free, vegan, easy to make and packed with nutrients!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, European

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Cooling time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 10 servings

Calories 242kcal

Author Elena Szeliga

$5

Ingredients

  • 14 oz or 400 g 70% dairy-free chocolate chips or chocolate, chopped into small pieces
  • 8 medjool dates pitted and chopped
  • 3 tablespoons tahini paste
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • ½ cup coconut milk the solid part
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Sea salt to garnish

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, add chopped chocolate or chocolate chips, pitted dates, tahini paste, coconut oil, coconut milk and vanilla extract. All the ingredients should be at a room temperature. Cook over low heat until all the chocolate is melted. Don’t overcook the mixture, otherwise it will curdle.

  • Line a 12x7 baking dish or equivalent with parchment paper and evenly distribute the chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with sea salt. Freeze for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 2 hours. Take out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Chocolate fudge is a wonderful chocolate lover gift idea.

Cook’s Tips

  • Before you start making the fudge, make sure all the ingredients are are at room temperature.
  • Cook the mixture on low to medium heat stirring constantly and remove it from the stove when the chocolate is fully melted. Don't overcook it!
  • For quicker cooling, place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
  • You can freeze this vegan fudge for up to 1 month or refrigerate for up to 7 days.
  • Use a smaller dish if you want your chocolate fudge to be thicker.
  • For another quick and nutritious treat try these vegan chocolate peanut butter energy balls.

Recipe Variations

  • Replace sea salt topping with dried lavender, chopped nuts or more chocolate chips.
  • Add chopped walnuts or pecans after the mixture is cooked for a little crunch.
  • Peanut butter can be substituted for tahini paste.

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Follow @happykitchen.rocks on Instagram and show me the recipes you are making from my blog using the hashtag #happykitchenrocks!

Other Dessert Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Pomegranate Parfaits with Pistachios
  • Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
  • 10 Best Vegan Desserts for Thanksgiving
  • Healthy Brownie Cheesecake
Best Chocolate Fudge Recipe • Happy Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to perfect fudge? ›

The key to creamy, luscious fudge is controlling crystal formation. If the sucrose (table sugar) crystals are small, the fudge will feel creamy and smooth on your tongue. But if the crystals are large, the fudge develops a crumbly, dry, or even coarse texture.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What is the key to successful non grainy fudge? ›

The key to successful, nongrainy fudge is in the cooling, not the cooking. The recipe calls for heating the ingredients to the soft-ball stage, or 234° F, then allowing it to cool undisturbed to approximately 110° F.

Is milk chocolate or semi sweet chocolate better for fudge? ›

Chocolate: you may use semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate. If you want milk chocolate fudge, I suggest using a combination of milk and semi-sweet, so that it's not overly sweet. But this is up to you! You could also use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but I suggest sticking to high-quality chocolate if possible.

Should you stir fudge while it's cooking? ›

Never stir the mixture during cooking or sugar could crystallize again. The mixture may seize and become grainy. Use a candy thermometer or conduct a cold water test to check if the fudge is done. Do not rely on the cooking time indicated in your recipe.

What does cream of tartar do in fudge? ›

Cream of tartar is used in caramel sauces and fudge to help prevent the sugar from crystallizing while cooking. It also prevents cooling sugars from forming brittle crystals, this is why it's the secret ingredient in snickerdoodles!

How do you firm up homemade fudge? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

What consistency should fudge be before it sets? ›

For perfect fudge, the syrup should form a soft ball that can be picked up, but easily flattened. If the syrup is undercooked, drops of syrup will sink to the bottom of the glass in threads or simply dissolve. If the syrup is overcooked, the ball will be hard and difficult to flatten with your fingers.

Can you reboil fudge that hasn't set? ›

How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

How do you make fudge creamy and not grainy? ›

It's not brittle or crumbly, at least not unpleasantly so. By cooling the fudge prior to agitation (like in the recipes included in this article), on the other hand, you'll get much smaller, finer sugar crystals and a finished fudge with a smooth, creamy texture.

How do you get fudge to soft-ball stage? ›

The soft ball stage is the point when melted sugar is 236 degrees. Without a candy thermometer, you can achieve this with what is called a “cold water method”. Fill a small glass with ice and cover it with water until it is ice cold.. Drop your hot sugar syrup into the ice water.

What makes fudge softer? ›

If you don't heat your fudge to a high enough temperature, you'll end up with a soft product. And if you heat the mixture too much, your fudge may be harder than you'd like.

Is fudge healthier than chocolate? ›

Fudge typically contains more sugar than chocolate, so it may not be the best choice for those looking to limit their sugar intake. On the other hand, dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants and can provide health benefits when consumed in moderation.

What's the difference between fudge and chocolate fudge? ›

Although fudge often contains chocolate, fudge is not the same as chocolate. Chocolate is a mix of cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sometimes sugar and other flavorings and is hard and brittle. Fudge is a mixture of sugar, dairy and flavorings that is cooked and cooled to form a smooth, semi-soft confection.

What happens if you use milk chocolate instead of semi sweet? ›

Both semisweet and milk chocolate consist of chocolate plus sugar, vanilla, and emulsifiers to keep them in bar or block form. Any solid chocolate (bittersweet, semisweet, or milk) can generally be swapped in and out in equal quantities. Just be ready for a slight difference in flavor.

How to make fudge more solid? ›

How do you fix fudge that is too soft? Bring the fudge back to a boil with 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of cream. If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream.

Why is my fudge not setting properly? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

What ingredient makes fudge hard? ›

Too cooked

At this temperature, the sugar is too concentrated and there is not enough water left to form syrup around sugar crystals. The result is hard and brittle fudge. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.)

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage? ›

How long does it take to make fudge:
  1. about 18 min to reach boiling.
  2. about 40 minutes to reach soft ball stage.
  3. 60 minutes to cool.
  4. 28 minutes to beat in a KitchenAid (your time for this may vary)
  5. 4 hours to set.

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