This Mocha Almond Fudge gets its creaminess from coconut milk & is sweetened with pure maple syrup. Dairy free paleo fudge!
How beautiful is this fudge? You'd never guess it's dairy free and free of processed sugar from looking at it!
It's also quite easy to put together! You'll start by refrigerating a can of full fat coconut milk. Don't go lite here, it won't work!
After refrigerating for at least 24 hours, skim the solid part, the hardened coconut cream, off the top. You won't need to the liquid left in the can for this recipe but I recommend saving the coconut water for smoothies! (It would add a nice touch to my Strawberry Mojito Smoothie.)
Next, you'll combine the coconut cream with almond butter, brewed coffee, pure maple syrup and chocolate chips in a pan over medium-low heat. Cook until the mixture is smooth and melted, whisking as you go.
When it's all smooth and smelling amazing, carefully pour into a parchment-lined 8-inch square pan. Sprinkle with slivered almonds and freeze for 2-3 hours to set. Store in the freezer until you're ready to serve!
I hope you love this chocolatey concoction! If you make it, I'd love to see. Post a photo on Instagram and tag me @prepdish!
Mocha Almond Fudge
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 14 oz can full fat coconut milk (refrigerate overnight)
- 1 cup almond butter
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract*
- 10 oz dark chocolate chips*
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup*
- 2 T ground coffee* (or 6 oz brewed coffee)
- parchment paper
Instructions
- Refrigerate a can of full fat coconut milk overnight. Skim the solid portion, the coconut cream, off the top. Save the liquid remainder for a smoothie).
- Brew coffee to make 6 oz.
- In a small pan over medium-low heat, combine coconut cream (only cream portion of refrigerated coconut milk), 1 cup almond butter, 6oz brewed coffee, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla and 10oz chocolate chips.
- Cook on low, whisking, until melted and smooth.
- Pour into parchment-lined 8-inch square pan and sprinkle w/ 1/4c slivered almonds.
- Place in the freezer to set for 2-3 hours.
Notes
Tips for Dairy Free Fudge
How is Paleo fudge different from classic fudge?
There are a few differences between paleo fudge and classic fudge.
First of all, we've replaced the traditional butter and milk with coconut cream and almond butter. It's just as rich and creamy but without the dairy!
Additionally, we use pure maple syrup instead of white sugar to sweeten the paleo fudge. Of course, to keep it totally dairy free and paleo, you'll need to choose your chocolate chips carefully. Hu Kitchen is one brand that makes paleo chocolate chips, sweetened with dates.
What's the nutrition like for this Mocha Almond Fudge?
Considering it tastes like a decadent dessert, this mocha almond fudge packs in quite a bit of nutrition! Here are some of the nutritional highlights:
Almonds (Magnesium, Vitamin E, B Vitamins, Antioxidants)
Almonds' high antioxidant content can help fight inflammation. Much of the antioxidants are in the skin of the almond so try to find almonds with the brown skin on (not blanched) to maximize nutrition. Almonds are one of the best sources of vitamin E which may help prevent diseases like heart disease, Alztheimers and cancer. Furthermore, the magnesium in almonds may help lower blood pressure in those with high blood pressure.
This mocha Almond fudge has almonds in two forms – sliced almonds and almond butter. To maximize nutrition looks for almond butter that contains only 1-2 ingredients: almonds and perhaps a little salt.
Coconut Milk (Iron, Potassium, Selenium, Manganese)
Made of the white flesh of coconuts mixed with water, coconut milk is high in manganese, copper, iron, magnesium and selenium. It's also a good source of potassium, vitamin C and folate. Some studies have shown that coconut helps to reduce inflammation, fight bacteria and viruses and fight stomach ulcers.
Dark Chocolate (Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Potassium, Zinc, Selenium, Antioxidants)
Full of antioxidants, dark chocolate is good for your heart and may even help lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate's flavanols can even help protect your skin from sun damage! The higher the percentage of cocoa, the better, nutritionally speaking.
Pure Maple Syrup (Manganese, Zinc)
1/3 cup of pure maple syrup contains 165% of the recommended dietary intake for manganese and 28% for zinc. It also has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, reducing blood sugar spikes.
Coffee (Antioxidants)
If you're a coffee lover, you'll be pleased to hear that many studies show coffee to be quite healthy. It has been linked to a lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes and a possible decreased risk of stroke, certain heart problems and liver cancer. Coffee's antioxidants may be the source of these benefits.
Does this work as a make-ahead dessert?
Yes! Since you store it in the freezer, mocha almond fudge works beautifully as an easy make ahead dessert. If you plan to store it in the freezer for more than a few hours, just make sure to transfer the fudge to a freezer container or wrap with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
Additionally, if you're bringing the fudge somewhere to share, make sure it doesn't get too warm before serving.
I want more paleo dessert recipes!
You're in luck! I always include a paleo dessert in our weekly Prep Dish Paleo meal plans. Thus, I have quite a collection!
I've included a few of my very favorite paleo dessert recipes below but if you'd like to give our Paleo meal plans a try, I'd love to share them with you! You can sign up for a free trial here to see what our meal planning subscription service is all about. You'll get four meal plans: Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb and Super Fast. From meal prep dinners to breakfasts, salads and, of course, healthier desserts, we've got you covered.
And without further ado, more Paleo desserts!
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Considering how lovely and elegant it looks, this cake is surprisingly easy! It contains just 4 ingredients: coconut oil, dark chocolate chips, coconut sugar and eggs.
If you want to make the coconut whip topping too, which you totally should, that adds just 2 ingredients: coconut milk and pure maple sugar. Coconut milk makes for quite a nice dairy free whipped cream. If you've never tried it before, I made a short video showing step by step instructions. Make sure to check it out!
Chocolate Pecan Bars
This recipe is a bit more involved than the flourless chocolate cake above but it's 100% worth it!
The bottom layer, or crust, is made with almond flour, salt, honey and grassfed butter. The crust is followed by a sweet, gooey layer comprised of coconut oil, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla and salt.
Finally, you'll sprinkle the top with a layer of chocolate chips, shredded coconut and chopped pecans before baking.
While these layer bars do have multiple steps, none of the steps are hard or overly time-consuming. This one is definitely worth the effort!
Strawberry Chocolate Chip Nice Cream
This dairy free “nice cream” is sweetened with fruit and just a touch of honey. Chocolate chips add a bit of crunch and little bursts of chocolatey flavor that a chocolate lover like me can't get enough of.
The best part? You don't even need an ice cream maker for this one! All you need is a blender or quality food processor and a loaf pan to freeze the “nice cream” in.
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