Dark Chocolate Fruit and Nut Fudge {Paleo & Vegan}

Rich deep dark chocolate fruit and nut fudge made with good for you real food ingredients yet tastes absolutely decadent!  Gluten free, dairy free, Paleo, Vegan, free of refined sugar and incredibly addicting.

I couldn’t help but throw another fudge recipe into the mix of recipes around here – sometimes it seems like I accidentally make fudge while trying to avoid other things.  Sort of like life is what happens while you’re making other plans?  In my life fudge is what happens when you’re making other plans, or, attempting not to think about all that’s left undone.

But can we complain?  It’s easy to rationalize making another Paleo and vegan fudge recipe that’s easy, delicious and healthy.   Learning how to make healthy fudge was definitely a turning point in my Paleo-treat journey (yes, it’s been a journey!)  This one was inspired by my mocha almond fudge, but I took a spin on it with memories or one of my old favorite chocolate bars – the Cadbury fruit and nut bar!  I remember being obsessed with those bars for a while back in high school but haven’t had one probably since then.

The other spin I took was deciding to make this fudge from “scratch” – with unsweetened baking chocolate and cocoa rather than with chocolate chips like I typically do.  This way, you have total control over how much and with what you sweeten your fudge with.  I used organic coconut sugar, but I’m sure you can sub in your favorite sweetener with good results.

And I’m glad I took the risk!  I like being able to totally control the amount of sweetness in the recipe, and that means you can too if you’re so inclined.  This stuff is dee-licious!  In fact, it was THIS dark chocolate fruit and nut fudge that got me started on my dark chocolate/date kick that’s been going on for weeks now.  Once this batch was gone (way too quickly I might add, since everyone ate it) I was too lazy/busy to make another batch so tried to recreate the feeling by just eating it “deconstructed” instead.  Yup, it’s good that way, but, the fudge is just extra special, you’ll have to trust me!

In this deep dark chocolate fruit and nut fudge, you’re really getting the best of everything.  The creaminess of coconut cream and nut butter, intense chocolate flavor, texture from coconut oil, chopped dates and pecans, and a little “extra” flare from sea salt.  You can store it in the refrigerator (for softer texture) or freezer and grab a piece whenever you feel like it.  Surprisingly to me, it was kid and husband friendly despite the nuts and “dark” flavor – which is hit or miss in my house.

And now, I think it’s about time I leave you with the recipe!  For the fully satisfying result, make sure you pick a time to make this when you’re supposed to be doing something terribly boring (paying bills, laundry, cleaning) and let me know what you think 🙂

Dark Chocolate Fruit and Nut Fudge {Paleo & Vegan}

Dark Chocolate Fruit and Nut Fudge {Paleo & Vegan}

Rich deep dark chocolate fruit and nut fudge that's healthy yet tastes decadent! Made with almond butter, unsweetened chocolate, coconut cream and coconut sugar, it's vegan, paleo, gluten free and refined sugar free.

Author: Michele Rosen

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Paleo &amp, Vegan

Servings: 25 squares

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Ingredients

For the nut butter mixture:

• 1/2 cup creamy almond butter or your favorite nut butter
• 2 tbsp organic coconut sugar
• 2 tbsp organic coconut oil melted and cooled to almost room temp
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Mixture:

• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao
• 3 tbsp organic coconut oil
• 5 tbsp organic coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup canned organic coconut cream*
• 1/8 tsp fine grain sea salt
• 1/3 cup finely chopped dried fruit I used pitted dates
• 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans or your favorite nuts
• Sprinkle of sea salt**

Instructions

1. Line an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the nut butter mixture ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan over very low heat, melt the dark chocolate while stirring, then whisk in the coconut oil, cocoa powder, and coconut sugar. Once combined, whisk in the coconut cream and remove from heat*** Stir until shiny and thick.
3. Using a rubber spatula, transfer the chocolate mixture into the nut butter mixture and mix very well. Stir in the sea salt and half of the chopped dried fruit and nuts.
4. Transfer the entire mixture to the parchment lined baking dish and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining fruit/nuts over the top plus an extra sprinkle of sea salt if desired.
5. Refrigerate or freeze until firm, then cut into squares and enjoy! Store in the refrigerator for creamy texture and the freezer for a firm chocolate treat.

Recipe Notes

*Alternatively you can use the thick part in a can of full fat organic coconut milk after it's been refrigerated and separates. Whisk to remove lumps before adding.
**Optional but recommend for that salted dark chocolate flavor!
***Keep the heat very low to avoid burning and to keep it smooth

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Favorite dried fruit?

Are you a fan of the Cadbury fruit and nut bars?  Chocolate covered raisins?