5-Ingredient Easy Peppermint Fudge – dairy and sugar free
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I love making healthy desserts for my family but no bake desserts are my favorite since they come together so quickly. Some of our favorites are No-Bake Coconut Cookies, Bean Fudge, Healthy Chocolate Truffles with a Kick, but now we can add this Healthy Easy Fudge from Tiffany of Don’t Waste the Crumbs to our recipe box.
I don’t know about you, but no matter how many times I say no to a second helping of pie or refrain from grabbing another Christmas cookie as I walk through the kitchen, my pants always fit a little tighter during the holiday season.
I’m sure it doesn’t help that there’s a glass of homemade eggnog next to my one cookie, or that my daily cups of coffee have become peppermint mocha lattes.
But then again, what fun are Christmas treats if you can’t indulge just a teensy weensy bit?
That’s why I keep coming back to this peppermint fudge recipe. Besides being made of chocolate and peppermint (a quintessential flavor combination at Christmas–or anytime), it’s super easy and SUPER delicious.
I’m not just saying that because I created it either. My step-mom, a self-proclaimed non-candy eater, RAVED about this peppermint fudge. And I quote:
“This is Christmas, all wrapped up in a candy.”
and
“This is what Christmas should taste like.”
Personally, you can always have me at “fudge,” but if you’re the type of person who needs a bit more convincing on the practicality of things:
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What’s Great About This Peppermint Fudge:
- It only requires 15 minutes of minimal hands-on effort and then an hour or so to cool in the fridge (which requires NO effort at all plus you can chill it quicker in the freezer). Ideal for the Christmas season when days seem shorter and lists are longer.
- Don’t have a “spare” 15 minutes? No problem. Save time by making this recipe while making dinner on the stove. I turned our pot of green beans into a double boiler and by the time we were done eating dinner, dessert was ready!
- The recipe only needs five ingredients, and none of them are artificial or expensive.
- Since you’re reading a blog about living and eating healthier, there’s a really good chance you have everything you need in your pantry!
- Fudge is naturally rich, so one batch is easily enough for a dinner party. And the optional crushed peppermint candies make it look extra fancy.
- You can use any pan as a mold, so long as it’s no bigger than an 8″x8″ pyrex dish.
- The peppermint fudge recipe can easily be made in advance. Way in advance if needed. This fudge kept in my fridge for two weeks just fine, and would have kept longer if we hadn’t eaten it all.
- It’s allergy friendly. The recipe contains no dairy*, no soy*, no gluten*, no sugar* and no wheat*. And it still tastes awesome!
- If by some chance you don’t have an ingredient for this recipe, Adrienne has homemade tutorials for you.
So, now that we’re officially all out of excuses as to why we shouldn’t make peppermint fudge, let’s just get on with the recipe and indulge. Quickly, before January rolls around and all those “healthy” people start giving me a hard time about my pants. 😉
Why Salt on Fudge?
Adding the salt at the end creates a definite “salted” taste to the dessert, similar to the saltiness of salted caramel (although not as strong). The salt can be added at the very beginning, with the chocolate and coconut cream concentrate if very little salt taste is desired.
Other Healthy Fudge Recipes
Healthy Fantasy Fudge
Bean Fudge
Naturally Colored Mint Fudge
Mushroom Fudge
Recipe Notes
- Storing Tips: Fudge will retain its shape at a relatively cool room temperature (60-70F). Place fudge in the freezer for a couple hours beforehand if you expect the environment to be on the warmer side. When not being consumed or drooled over by party-goers :), fudge should be stored in the fridge and will keep for at least two weeks.
- Stevia Alternative: Instead of liquid peppermint stevia, you could use 6 1/2 tablespoons coconut sugar or honey, as well as adding peppermint extract to taste, for AIP (technically extracts aren’t allowed on AIP but they are used in many AIP recipes)
You can use this homemade version of liquid stevia instead of using a store-bought brand. Also, around 1 teaspoon powdered stevia and 1 1/5 teaspoons peppermint extract can be substituted for the liquid stevia. For AIP, use about 6 tablespoons honey or maple syrup with 1 1/5 teaspoons peppermint extract. - Chocolate options: Don’t have dark chocolate? Any type of chocolate will work really, but lighter chocolates tend to contain sugar and soy lecithin, both really not a boon for a real food diet.
You can use these Homemade Chocolate / Carob Chips instead of dark chocolate, and use the carob version of these for AIP. - White Fudge Option: This peppermint fudge recipe can easily be adapted to a white fudge by substituting these Homemade White Chocolate Chips in place of the dark chocolate.
- Mold Options: Mini-loaf pans and 8″ x 8″ glass pans make excellent molds.
- Coconut Cream Alternative: This Homemade Coconut Butter (or store bought coconut butter) will work great instead of coconut cream concentrate. If you use coconut butter instead, the fudge will be thicker and harder when refrigerated.
Special Diet Options & Substitutions
AIP: Use carob instead of chocolate and an AIP sweetener instead of stevia.
Candy Topping Options: These mint candies are sugar-free. If you’d prefer an all natural option you could use these candies (that are not sugar-free) or these candies that are all natural and sugar free but white. You could try coloring them or leave them white for a different look but the same taste.
5-Ingredient Easy Peppermint Fudge – dairy and sugar free
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark chocolate (chopped–chocolate chips work well too)
- 1/2 cup coconut cream concentrate (or coconut butter–see Recipe Notes)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/16 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/12 teaspoons liquid peppermint stevia (50 drops – about 2 full droppers; or to taste. See Recipe Notes for alternatives)
- crushed sugar-free peppermint candies or candy canes (optional, for garnish. See Recipe Notes for options.)
Instructions
- In a double boiler, melt chocolate and coconut cream concentrate while stirring occasionally with a spatula.
- Meanwhile, prepare your mold by lining the bottom and sides with plastic wrap. Allow some wrap to hang over the edges to aid during the un-molding process.
- When the chocolate and coconut cream concentrate has melted completely smooth, remove from the heat. Add the vanilla extract, salt and liquid stevia and stir to combine well. Pour into mold(s).
- Sprinkle optional crushed peppermint candies on top of the fudge, if using. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Remove the mold(s) from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature for about five minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Candy Topping Options: These mint candies are sugar-free and naturally colored. If you’d prefer an all natural option with sugar you could use these candies or these candies that are all natural and sugar free but white. You could try coloring them or leave them white for a different look but the same taste. Otherwise, if that first option is out of stock and you aren’t picky about your sweeteners, you could use these candies, but they do use sucralose which I don’t recommend.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Do YOU love Chocolate and Mint as much as I do?
What’s your favorite Christmas-ey treat?
This post has new images that were placed in the post in December 2020. Here is the original photo for reference:
Tiffany is a frugal foodie, balancing the desire to feed her family healthy food while being a good steward of her finances. She continues to work hard at mastering real foods without going broke and shares her journey at Don’t Waste the Crumbs.
I used regular coconut oil and honey (melted together over low heat), melted with baking bars (no sugar) then put it in the fridge for a few minutes and mixed it with a hand blender. Worked just fine. (Of course, this was supposed to be frosting! I added extra coconut oil and honey poured it onto a plate and stuck it in the fridge for about 15 minutes and now I have fudge!)
I’d like to try this – my mother is allergic to sugar (and wheat) and adores fudge. We’re in the UK and I’m not 100% sure what coconut cream concentrate is? I have found cream coconut block, coconut cream and coconut milk powder. I can’t find anything called coconut cream concentrate. Can you tell me what the difference is or if I can make it from any of these things?
Hi there. Coconut cream concentrate is otherwise known as coconut butter and I have information about how to make it here. I am going to change the post soon so let me know if you have a vitamix / high powered blender or a food processor. https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/make-your-own-coconut-butter/
But is the fudge sweet? Unsweetened chocolate, no sugar and no candy(if u want sugar free)…how.sweet could it be?
The liquid stevia makes it sweet. Perhaps you missed it in the recipe? 🙂
What peppermint candies do you use if keeping it sugar free and “real” food? I love the idea of adding the candies!
Hi there. I put a link in the post to the best option I could find – it’s not sugar free. I don’t know that there is a better option :).
wow I want a bite of these babies right now!!! They look delicious 😀
Oh wow! This looks prefect ..I will be making it for sure for my family. Yum! I love a christmas treats with chocolate ..its so hard to choose just one
Merry Christmas
WOW! This looks amazing! I’m afraid to make it though for one simple reason … I might single-handedly eat the whole batch. LOL! I think it’s worth the risk – this looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas! 🙂
Agreed! Merry Christmas Kelly!
This is MY kinda holiday treat, Adrienne!! And yes, we are HUGE chocolate peppermint fans. My husband is obsessed with all things in that combination (add coconut in there an he’s flying high).
Thank you for this great recipe. I am going to try this tonight actually (we are vising some friends tomorrow and I want to make a healthy treat).
Wishing you an amazing holiday and happy New Year!
Hugs,
–Amber
I agree – I’m hoping to make it tomorrow :). Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well.
Oh my this looks fantastic! I needed a last minute quick treat, thank you!
I know – we’ve been overwhelmed w/ this horrid power outage so now I can maybe pull this off :). Merry Christmas!