Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge – Refined Sugar-Free
This weekend was my dad’s birthday and I wanted to make him something delicious as a special little homemade present. Last time I made him some of my healthy Salted Nut Brittle but I wanted to do something different this time. He has a very sweet tooth, but he gave up chocolate (and anything with cocoa powder in it) 20 years ago. Seriously, don’t ask, it was an actual addiction – he had to go cold turkey!
That didn’t stop his sweet tooth though and these days, fudge is his sugar-hit of choice. In an attempt to make something I could eat too I experimented with some ingredients that I had in the pantry. Instead of just sugar and butter this Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge. I use the term ‘healthy’ lightly. This is still extremely sweet and should be regarded as a treat, but it contains much healthier ingredients than the usual fudge!
From start to finish this fudge only takes 10 mins to make. Then it just needs to harden in the fridge for an hour or two. Plus it only contains 4 ingredients, 3 of which you will probably have in the cupboard anyway. The one ingredient you may not have is coconut butter. This differs from coconut oil as it contains the flesh of the coconut too. Its opaque rather than translucent and is sometimes called coconut manna or creamed coconut.
Basically its the entire coconut that has been blended to a smooth paste. It is often completely solid at room temperature. To use it in this recipe you need to liquefy it by standing the jar in a bowl of hot water for 5 mins or so. Once the coconut butter has started to melt, stir it through to ensure that everything is mixed together. Sometimes the oil separates and sits on top of the rest of the butter. You can also heat the peanut butter in the same way too to help with pouring it later. Once the contents have turned to liquid and been mixed up you are ready to make the fudge.
Create a bain-marie by placing a heatproof bowl on top of a saucepan of barely simmering water. Add the coconut butter into the bain-marie along with the peanut butter. I use an organic one that is just pure blended peanuts with no palm oil or anything added. Add in the honey and whisk everything over the heat until it is all incorporated.
At this point I like to add a pinch of salt as I find it works really well with the peanut butter, but you can omit this step if you want.
Now you have your fudge mix and you need to pour it into a mould. I used a Tupperware that I’d lined with clingfilm but you could use a lined loaf tin, or even ice-cube trays or chocolate moulds, whatever you have to hand.
Place the Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge in the fridge for about 2 hours and then it is ready to eat. Cut into 1 inch squares with a knife and it makes about 10-12 squares – then just try not to eat it all at once! Grind a bit of coarse sea salt over the top and store it in the fridge between parchment paper (or in the freezer if it disappears too fast in the fridge as I’ve found). Let it sit for about 5 mins to soften before eating if you keep it in the freezer.
This stuff is absolutely amazing. It tastes like the inside of a Reese’s peanut butter cup but smoother and so sweet and rich! Its creamy and delicious and made with all natural ingredients so you can dial down the guilt factor a bit! Great as a quick sweet treat or to have with a cup of coffee. I promise you it will definitely hit the spot for any sugar craving! If you’re not a big fan of peanut butter or fudge you could try my healthy Coconut Ice or Salted Nut Brittle for a deliciously different sweet treat.
Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge (Refined Sugar-Free)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut butter (also called coconut manna or creamed coconut)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2 tbsps honey
- pinch sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Melt or liquefy the coconut butter and peanut butter by standing the jars in a bowl of hot water for 5 mins and mix well.
- Add all ingredients except the salt to a bain marie (a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water).
- Whisk well over the heat until everything is incorporated.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to the mixture. (Optional step)
- line a mould (tupperware, baking tin or ice cube tray) with cling film.
- Pour the fudge mix into the lined mould and freeze for 2 hours.
- Cut into 1 inch squares and enjoy.
- Store in the fridge or freezer.
Allergy & Dietary Information for Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge
This Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge recipe is Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Refined-Sugar Free. It’s also suitable for SCD, Paleo & Vegetarian Diets.
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This sounds yummy and easy =) It may have to be one of our desserts for Thanksgiving!
Hubby is a big fan of peanut butter fudge so this would be a big hit.
So easy to make – and you don’t have to tell him it’s a healthier version! He’ll never know!
This recipe looks amazing! My family is starting a no added sugar, no gluten, no dairy diet in the new year to try to heal our guts and this looks perfect when we are wanting a dessert. Thanks for the recipe!
That’s similar to the gut healing diet I’m on although I am allowed some dairy! Most of my other recipes would be good for you guys too!! Good luck with it! ?
This sounds so good! I love that it only has a few ingredients!
I wonder if this would taste good with almond butter instead ?
Definitely – any nut butter would work!
I love this recipe! I was going to make fudge as gifts this year and this is a great one! I don’t know how your dad gave up chocolate..I don’t think I could!!
It was taking over his life like an addiction – he was hiding it, eating it secretly and lying about it. He had no choice but to give it up as the lies and behaviour were ruining his life!
Yum, so easy! Have to try this, thanks ?!
Love this recipe – and peanut butter is a fave of mine xx
Am I missing somewhere where you list the quantities you use? Or is it down to you and your tastes?
I’d love to try it!
Quantities are in the first image – I’m still trying to sort out a proper recipe plug in for the blog, sorry ?
That looks so simple to make and my girls will love it! Thank you for sharing!
I have a serious sweet tooth too and this sounds amazing!! I will definitely need to make this sometime. Thanks for sharing
I love this idea! I never make fudge because I don’t like the typical ingredients used to make it. So this is a great substitute!
Yummy, this look delicious! I am going to try your recipe!
Let me know if you do! It’s great, just try not to eat it all in one go!
Health fudge! HEALTHY FUDGE!!! I am all over this and more! Fab recipe, thx so much!
Mmmmm! Sounds good! It kind of reminds me of peppermint bark. Except for, you know, not peppermint!
Yummy! This would make a great holiday gift!
I love this yummy recipe for healthy holiday treats. They look so delicious!
That sounds like a sugar tooth options that’s much better than the things I usually choose, ha! I love peanut butter.
What an easy recipe – it’s practially fool proof (my mom ALWAYS burns the fudge – I’ll have to send her this lol).
I love this! I pinned for later! Almost everything is Keto friendly (our diet), excluding the honey. I think I may be able to make it work for us! <3
Not entirely sure about all the Keto rules but you could add a couple of drops of liquid stevia if allowed or you might not even need the honey if you’re used to things being less sweet?
This looks so smooth and delicious. My mom is a diabetic with a killer sweet tooth. So I’m always on the lookout for things she might be able to have as a treat. I’m going to pass this one along to her. Thanks for the recipe!
This looks delicious!! My mom is flying in for the holidays and she loves peanut butter. I will have to surprise her with this! Q
Yum! This looks so easy to make too!
I am always looking for healthy food ideas especially desserts and this one is simple to make and looks delicious. I love peanut butter too so this is a plus. This is a recipe that I can make even when I am on the road traveling too. Thank you for sharing.
Just made this gorgeous fudge, so sweet and creamy! Thank you Emma!
This looks so delicious!! I can’t wait to make it!
This is such a delicious treat to take to a friend or family member who can’t eat sugar. Lovely recipe, thank you.
I love peanut butter fudge! I’ll have to save this to try!
Ooh…this looks so good. I need to try it.
Ooh yum! This sounds like a nifty treat, I’ll have to give it a try! I haven’t seen coconut butter before though – is that usually near coconut oil at the grocery?
I just made your Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge, and it is absolutely delicious!
thanks so much Sandra! I’m thrilled you like it – working on some other flavours at the moment so keep an eye out!!
Could you sub butter for the coconut butter?
Hi Dawn
The coconut butter adds body, sweetness and flavour so I doubt you could just replace it with butter – are you allergic to coconut? What is it that’s the issue with the coconut butter and I can see if I can think of anything that might work?
Emma