This Easy Fudge recipe is easy to make on the stove or in the microwave with only 4 ingredients! It’s rich, creamy and the perfect healthy homemade treat for the holidays and gift-giving. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo with low carb and keto sweetener options.
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An Easy 4 Ingredient Fudge Recipe
The holidays are here and homemade fudge is easily one of our favorite gifts to make once December rolls around. This Easy Fudge is rich, creamy and simple to make with just 4 ingredients. Fudge is always a hit with friends and family and you can easily change up the flavors depending on what you have on hand.
My family loves helping to make lots of homemade fudge recipes including this White Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Peppermint Fudge, Vegan Fudge and this Easy Peanut Butter Fudge.
Why we love this homemade fudge recipe
This vegan chocolate fudge is deliciously decadent and so easy to make with just 4 ingredients. Traditional fudge might seem intimidating to make but this version is totally not. It’s an easy fudge recipe that doesn’t require a candy thermometer and only takes a few minutes to make either in a pot on the stovetop or in the microwave!
The best part about making homemade fudge around Christmas is that you can package it up for friends and family. They’re going to love receiving this if they’re a chocolate lover! It so good and will be hard to stop at just one!
It also makes the perfect healthy treat to satisfy that chocolate craving. This healthy fudge recipe is not only delicious, it’s also dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and made without any refined sugars and can easily be made low carb, keto or paleo-friendly depending on what sweetener you use.
What You Need For This Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Many traditional fudge recipes and old fashioned fudge recipes call for a combination of sweetened condensed milk, marshmallow cream, marshmallow fluff and powdered sugar. To make this healthy easy fudge, you’re going to need:
- Chopped dairy-free chocolate or dairy-free chocolate chips – be sure to use high quality brand. We like Hu’s Kitchen, Santa Barbara or Lily’s Sweets.
- Creamy unsalted cashew butter – you can also sub with any another nut or seed butter.
- Coconut cream – be sure to chill the can in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight. If you don’t have coconut cream, you can scoop out the top thickened part of a can of full-fat coconut milk, that has been chilled for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Pure maple syrup or sub with your favorite liquid sweetener such as Lakanto Sugar-Free Maple syrup to make this homemade fudge keto.
OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THE BEST FLAVOR:
- Pure vanilla extract
- Fine sea salt
Vanilla extract and sea salt can really transform the flavors of this easy homemade fudge recipe.
How To Make This Easy Fudge Recipe
- PREPARE PAN: Line a 9 x 5 loaf pan (for thicker pieces) or 8×8 baking dish (for thinner pieces) with parchment paper or foil sprayed with cooking spray.
- COMBINE THE INGREDIENTS: Add the chocolate, cashew butter, coconut cream and maple syrup to a medium pot over low heat, while stirring frequently.
Once the mixture is smooth and combined, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt, if using. - SPREAD INTO PAN: Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
- CHILL FUDGE: Allow fudge to cool completely for 3 hours or place in fridge for 1 hour to speed up the process. After chilled, lift fudge out from pan using the parchment overhang and cut into 1-inch pieces. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to make Microwave Fudge
Did you know you can make fudge in the microwave?
To make easy microwave fudge:
- Add the chocolate and cashew butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave on high in 20 second increments, making sure to stir very well between increments. Just be sure not to overheat and stop once the fudge mixture has combined, otherwise, the fudge mixture may seize and burn.
- Once melted, stir in the coconut cream, maple syrup and vanilla and salt if using.
- Spread into your prepared pan and chill in the fridge.
Chocolate Fudge Variations
Cashew butter – use almond butter, peanut butter (not paleo) or sunflower seed for a nut-free version.
Toppings – add a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt, dairy-free or semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped peanuts or shredded coconut for a nice crunch.
Maple syrup – you can sub with Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup to make this peanut butter fudge keto or use coconut nectar or honey if not vegan. Powdered sweetener such as Lakanto or Swerve will also work but you will have to adjust the amount depending on your taste.
Coconut cream – you can also sub with heavy cream or sweetened condensed milk if you have no dietary concerns or are not dairy-free. We have not tried this with evaporated milk so can’t recommend it.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
This keto fudge should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Do NOT leave out at room temperature, otherwise, it will get too soft.
Can I freeze homemade fudge?
Yes! Keep this simple fudge recipe on hand in the freezer when you need a healthier dessert throughout the week. It makes the perfect holiday gift or healthy dessert for Christmas parties or gatherings. Store this easy chocolate fudge in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Holiday Treat Recipes You Will Love
This Easy Fudge recipe is easy to make on the stove or in the microwave with only 4 ingredients! It's rich, creamy and the perfect healthy homemade treat for the holidays and gift-giving. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo with low carb and keto sweetener options.
- 1 1/2 cups chopped dairy-free chocolate or dairyfree chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy unsalted cashew butter , or sub with other nut or seed butter (almond butter, sunflower seed butter or peanut butter if not paleo)
- 1/3 cup coconut cream, chilled overnight , or scoop out the top thickened part of a can of full-fat coconut milk, that has been chilled for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup , or sub with other liquid sweetener such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup for keto
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Line a 9 x 5 loaf pan (for thicker pieces) or 8x8 baking dish (for thinner pieces) with parchment paper or foil sprayed with cooking spray.
Add the chocolate, cashew butter, coconut cream and maple syrup to a medium pot over low heat, while stirring frequently.
Once the mixture is smooth and combined, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt, if using.
Pour into prepared pan and use an offset spatula to spread evenly. Allow fudge to cool completely for 3 hours or place in fridge for 1 hour to speed up the process.
Once chilled, lift fudge out from pan using the parchment overhang and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Do not leave out at room temperature, otherwise, it will get too soft.
To make microwave fudge, add the chocolate and cashew butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 20 second increments, making sure to stir very well between increments.medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 20 second increments, making sure to stir very well between increments.
Be sure not to overheat and stop once the fudge mixture has combined, otherwise, the mixture may seize and burn. Once melted, stir in the coconut cream, maple syrup and vanilla and salt if using.
Spread evenly into the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Allow to set for about 3 hours or place in the fridge to speed up the process.
Lift fudge out from pan using the parchment overhang and cut into 1-inch pieces. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Do not leave out at room temperature, otherwise, it will get too soft.
Helen -
Delicious! Love how easy this fudge is!
Melissa -
This was so amazing and easy! Thanks Kelly!
Olivia -
Yum! I love making fudge for gifts!
Julia -
This was absolutely delicious!
Janice -
This looks so good and I have to try it ASAP honey! Beautiful pictures!