Learn how to make Homemade Chocolate Fudge (the healthy kind) to enjoy this holiday season. This no-bake treat is rich, creamy, and packed with deep chocolate flavor, all while being good for you too! Give it as a gift alongside this Strawberry Chocolate Rugelach, bring it to a party, or just make it because you deserve a treat. You really can't go wrong.
Jump to:
Deliciously Healthy Chocolate Fudge
Rich, chocolate fudge is one of those desserts that is perfect anytime, anywhere! I love a small bite after dinner to satiate my sweet tooth. And much like my Healthy Chocolate Granola, Healthy Chocolate Lava Cake, and Healthy Homemade Snickers Bars, I use whole ingredients that nourish your body, so you can indulge cravings without the sugar crash. It's a total cheat code.
This healthy chocolate fudge also couldn't be any easier. It's a fantastic recipe to make with your kids, and if you have to multitask while you make it, you certainly can. No need for baking either; just melt the ingredients together and chill in the refrigerator. It's basically my go-to when I need an easy party dessert or a thoughful homemade gift!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and delicious, but made with whole ingredients you can feel good about
- No baking required, just melt, pour, and chill
- Comes together in minutes with minimal hands-on prep
- Made with whole ingredients, so you can indulge without the sugar crash
- Easy to customize with your favorite nut butter, chocolate, or mix-ins
Erin's Expert Tips (Before You Start)
- Use only the thick coconut cream. Scoop out just the thick white part that settles at the top of the can. Using the thinner liquid underneath will affect the fudge's consistency and prevent it from setting properly.
- Measure the ingredients precisely. This is one recipe where eyeballing doesn't work. Use the exact amounts of each ingredient, then chill it in the refrigerator, and it will harden beautifully without extra effort.
- Don't skip the nut butter. The almond butter (or whatever nut butter you choose) is essential here, and without it, the fudge will have a very different consistency and likely won't set correctly, so don't be tempted to leave it out.
Ingredients Needed for Healthy Chocolate Fudge
Here’s a little bit about everything that goes into this healthy chocolate fudge:
- Chocolate chips: I use semisweet chocolate chips, but you can use dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or sugar-free chocolate chips to keep the sugar amounts lower.
- Coconut milk: Make sure you use the thick white part from the top of the can! If you don't have coconut milk, heavy whipping cream makes a simple 1:1 replacement. It has more fat, so just note that it'll change the fudge's nutrition.
- Almond butter: For the smoothest texture, use creamy almond butter. Peanut butter, cashew butter, or even sun butter make great alternatives as well. Or, try my Homemade Almond Butter!
- Maple syrup: This sweetens the fudge. Honey will also give you the same taste and texture if that's what you have.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances the flavors in this fudge. I also added flaked salt at the end as a garnish.
- Vanilla: This adds the perfect depth of flavor to this rich dessert!
How to make the best healthy chocolate fudge
Start by melting all the ingredients except the vanilla in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often until fully melted. This should take about 5 minutes. Once melted, turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Next, pour the fudge batter into a greased loaf pan, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours so that it sets. Top with flaked salt, cut into pieces, and enjoy!
- Step 1: Melt the ingredients. In a saucepan, melt together all ingredients except vanilla over medium-low heat, stirring often. This should take about 5 minutes. Then turn off the heat, stir in the vanilla, and pour the mixture into a greased 9x5 loaf pan.
- Step 2: Chill and serve. Refrigerate your chocolate fudge for at least 2 hours. Top with flaked salt and cut into pieces. Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions about this healthy chocolate fudge. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
You'll have to decide what qualifies as "healthy" since everyone has different health and nutrition goals. My fudge uses whole ingredients, nothing artificial, and 4.3g of protein in each piece.
To help you decide how healthy it is, I always include a nutrition label at the end of every recipe I publish. My Healthy Cake Pops and Healthy Peanut Butter Bars are also great examples of this!
There are lots of ways to change this fudge to meet your health goals too. When you make homemade desserts, YOU control the ingredients!
You might see some recipes that use cream of tartar in the fudge. Some bakers like to use it because it decreases the chances of crystalization happening in the fudge, which helps the fudge to set.
I didn't use cream of tartar and my fudge is still very rich and solid, without crystalization.
Yes, you can certainly add any type of nuts that you want to this fudge. Nuts are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats.
I think some chopped almonds or pecans will taste the best in my chocolate fudge recipe! Chopped walnuts are another option that will taste delicious as well.
Make sure you are measuring out the ingredients exactly as listed. I know that with cooking you can kind of eyeball the ingredient amounts, but baking is another story. When you use the exact amounts of each ingredient and then chill it in the refrigerator for at least half an hour, it should harden really well.
Almond butter is a fantastic ingredient to use in fudge. It melts easily and then when you refrigerate it, it hardens up without any extra effort.
Storing leftovers
To store leftover chocolate fudge, I suggest placing it in an airtight container and keeping it in the refrigerator. The fudge will stay fresh for up to a week.
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
Healthy Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- In a saucepan, melt together all ingredients except vanilla over medium-low heat, stirring often. All of the ingredients should be melted within 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla, then pour the mixture into a greased 9x5 loaf pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Top with flaked salt and cut into pieces.
- Store in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use Only the Thick Coconut Cream: When measuring your coconut milk, scoop out just the thick white part that settles at the top of the can. Using the thinner liquid underneath will affect the consistency of the fudge and prevent it from setting properly.
- Measure Ingredients Precisely: This is one recipe where eyeballing doesn't work. When you use the exact amounts of each ingredient and chill it in the refrigerator, it hardens up beautifully without any extra effort. Baking is not the place for guesswork!
- Don't Skip the Nut Butter: The almond butter (or whatever nut butter you choose) is essential here, and without it, the fudge will have a very different consistency and likely won't set correctly, so don't be tempted to leave it out.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!if you liked this recipe, try these!
Here are some more of my favorite healthy chocolate recipes. Enjoy!
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Fern Irie says
My husband's 81 year old grandfather went on a health food kick a few years ago, and was lamenting about "not being able to eat sweets anymore," so I had the conversation with him that sweets can be made healthier. He absolutely wasn't convinced, so I made him a batch of this fudge, had him eat a piece, and then I showed him the ingredient list, and he was shocked! He LOVES it! It's now my "go to" Christmas, father's day, and birthday gift to him... And I'll even make him three batches at a time. One to eat now, and two to freeze. Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Fern, so happy he's able to eat them and loves them!! 🙂
Linda Bergstrom says
Wow! I just made this fudge today and had to write to thank you. I love it and my husband just proclaimed it was the best tasting fudge he has ever had. I used the dark chocolate chips from Costco and added chopped almonds. Can't wait to share it with my grand kids whose parents are all about only eating healthy stuff!
Erin says
Hi Linda, so happy you both loved it!! 🙂
Nisha Graham says
Hi! If you want it to be chocolate only and no nut butter is that possible?
Erin says
Hi Nisha, I don't think it would come out right and would have a very different consistency. But feel free to try!
Kaitlin says
Ok this is SO AMAZING! I froze mine and still enjoying it as a perfect dessert. I added chopped walnuts to mine.
Erin says
Hi Kaitlin, so happy you loved it and great addition!
Meri says
Such a good holiday treat and I definitely will be making throughout the year and keeping in my freezer for a quick sweet treat!
Erin says
Hi Meri, so happy you loved it!!
Nicole says
Delicious! I kept in the freezer and it still was plenty soft to eat each time I took out! Didn’t seem to ruin the texture at all!
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so happy you loved it and great idea! 🙂
Renny says
Made with peanut butter and it turned out perfectly! So easy and makes plenty. Another winner - not surprised 😁
Erin says
Hi Renny, so happy you loved it!!
Kate says
Sooooo gooood. Rich and smooth. I used half semi-sweet chocolate chips and half dark chocolate chips. I also used coconut cream instead of coconut milk. Easy, healthy and yummmy Highly recommented!!
Erin says
Hi Kate, so happy you loved it and made it your own!! 🙂
Becca says
Super easy to make and sooo delicious and creamy!!
Cassie says
So good and easy to make! Very creamy and flavorful 😋
Erin says
Hi Cassie, so happy you loved it!!