Vegan Coconut Almond Chocolate Fudge – A sweet treat that’s secretly good for you!

Delectable homemade vegan chocolate fudge made with nutritious almond butter and dark chocolate, and completely free from dairy! This scrumptious fudge is a terrific sweet treat or a wonderful homemade gift.

Chocolate fudge – an easy homemade gift

My daughter Kipper decided to make easy homemade fudge as gifts for her friend group at school. There are recipes all over the internet, combining chocolate and condensed milk to create this simple but delicious confection.

Kipper made a couple of variations, using milk and dark chocolate. She also added sprinkles, pretzels and other goodies to create a whole range of tasty treats for her friends.

Fudge, but make it vegan?

Having seen how easy the chocolate fudge was to make, and also how yummy it was, I wondered if I could make a vegan version. And you know me, there’s always a way to add some extra goodness to a sweet treat, right? Healthy, dairy-free fudge – how hard could it be?

The answer – not hard at all! I used condensed coconut milk to keep this luscious chocolate fudge dairy free. Then I added a generous amount of creamy almond butter to add rich flavour, healthy fats and fibre. Each square of delicious fudge also contains over 2g of protein – not bad for a sweet treat!

Benefits of vegan coconut almond chocolate fudge

This delightful treat provides the perfect way to satisfy your sweet cravings. It has a gorgeous smooth texture that melts in the mouth, and a rich and complex flavour from the coconut, almonds and dark chocolate. Each of these ingredients brings its own particular benefits to this scrumptious sweet.

Dark chocolate provides numerous antioxidants and polyphenols which fight inflammation and support overall health. Condensed coconut milk adds sweetness and a subtle but delicious coconut flavour. The almond butter brings a boost of protein and dietary fibre, essential for good gut health. Fats from the almonds also slow absorption of the sugars in the fudge to help prevent blood sugar spikes.

These simple ingredients combine to create a creamy and delicious coconut almond chocolate fudge without any dairy products.

Ingredients in vegan coconut almond fudge

This easy fudge recipe uses only three simple ingredients! To make a batch yourself you will need:

• Dark chocolate – I used Lindt 70% chocolate but you can choose your favourite good quality dairy-free dark choc.
• Condensed coconut milk – this is a plant based alternative to traditional sweetened condensed milk. It is lower in sugar but higher in fat than its dairy counterpart, but works really well in this easy fudge recipe. (Biona organic sweetened condensed coconut milk is approved kosher parev by KLBD.)
• Smooth almond butter – choose your favourite 100% nuts almond butter. Avoid nut butters with added oils or sugar as these are lower quality and do not have the same nutritional value.

I scattered some crushed flaked almonds over the top of my chocolate fudge to decorate. You could also add sprinkles, coconut flakes, or other decorations as you prefer.

Step-by-step guide to making your own vegan chocolate fudge

1. First, gather all your ingredients and equipment in one place for easy access. Make sure you have your condensed coconut milk, almond butter, and chocolate ready to go. You’ll also need a microwavable bowl, a spoon or spatula, and a tray for the fudge to set in. You can use a small baking tin lined with parchment, but a clean plastic ‘takeaway’ box is the perfect size for one batch of this vegan chocolate fudge.
2. Break the dark chocolate into small pieces in the bowl. Then add the condensed coconut milk and almond butter.
3. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook at 60% power for one minute. Give everything a good stir, and return to the microwave. Cook at 60% power in 30 second bursts, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This should not take long! You will probably only need to zap the mixture for 90-120 seconds in total to achieve a smooth mixture.
4. Pour the fudge mixture into your tray, spreading it out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Sprinkle flaked almonds or your choice of decorations on top and press them down to stick – or leave your fudge plain and simple!
5. Cover and place the fudge in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours, or until it is set.
6. Once the fudge has fully hardened, remove it from the refrigerator and slice it into squares. Serve and enjoy your homemade vegan coconut almond fudge!

Successful fudge making

Although this recipe is quick and easy, the key to a successful batch of fudge lies in attention to detail. Melt and stir until completely smooth, then allow the fudge to set fully in the fridge before cutting it – however tempting it is to dig in! By taking time to perfect your fudge, you can enjoy a decadent and satisfying treat that you can feel good about indulging in.

Add-ins and extras

If plain vegan coconut almond chocolate fudge seems just too pedestrian, you can certainly make it ‘extra’ by using different add-ins or toppings such as chopped nuts, dried fruits, or even a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Some ideas for fudge enhancements include:

• Chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, pistachios or almonds.
• Toasted coconut chips or a sprinkle of desiccated coconut – to highlight the subtle coconut flavour from the condensed coconut milk.
• Broken or crushed biscuits such as oreos, digestives, ginger nuts or lotus biscuits – these will lose some of their crunch but will still be delicious.
• Chopped fancy chocolates such as Bendicks mints, truffles etc. – perfect if the fudge will be an after dinner treat.
• Sweet-shop favourites like chunks of caramel, cinder toffee (aka honeycomb or hokey-pokey), sprinkles or mini vegan marshmallows.

Of course some of these are more nutritious than others! Choose the ones that align with your eating goals as well as your tastebuds.

Tips for perfect fudge

I love the flavour and texture of this vegan chocolate fudge. It’s just the right balance of dense chocolatey deliciousness, with a rich taste and luscious mouthfeel. However you can adjust things easily by simply tinkering with the amount of almond butter that you use.

Adding a little more will result in a creamier and softer fudge, with a more pronounced nutty flavour. If you prefer a denser fudge, simply add less almond butter instead. You can also experiment with different kinds of chocolate to find a flavour that really hits all the right notes for you.

Delectable desserts and homemade gifts

Vegan coconut almond chocolate fudge is a rich and indulgent treat that will satisfy both your sweet tooth and your dietary preferences. It shows how how it is possible to create a delectable sweet that is both delicious and nutritious. You can have your fudge and eat it too!

This fudge makes a wonderful mini dessert, or ‘little extra’ served with coffee or tea. It’s a great mid-afternoon pick-me-up when you just need a little treat to keep you going. I find that a single square is plenty – it’s quite rich after all!

Packaged into a cute box or bag, this vegan coconut almond chocolate fudge also makes a thoughtful gift for friends and family members. Perfect as a last-minute present for birthdays, Chanukah, or as part of a healthy and indulgent mishloach manot basket on Purim.

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📖 Recipe

More delicious sweet treats

These lovely homemade treats all make terrific gifts. Simply package a few in a cute box or bag before sharing with family and friends.

Vegan chocolate fudge FAQs