Coconut Oil Fudge – Easy, Delicious, No Cooking Required!
This coconut oil fudge recipe has no refined sugar (it’s sweetened with honey or maple syrup) and is loaded with healthy coconut oil. (Yes, coconut oil is good for you!) You can mix it up in just a few minutes – without turning on the stove – and it’s a great not-too-sweet treat to keep on hand in the fridge.
Coconut Oil Fudge Recipe
Adapted from Healthy Traditions. Print Friendly version at bottom of post.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Servings: 25
Ingredients
- 2 cups unrefined coconut oil, softened (my favorite for fresh coconut taste is Nutiva)
- 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
- 1 cup organic cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries or dried, unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
Directions
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or other medium bowl) stir coconut oil until creamy with no lumps (if oil is too thick set bowl in warm water). You want the oil soft, not liquid. If it is liquid, the other ingredients will settle to the bottom of the pan instead of staying mixed with the oil. If you have separation, you can warm the whole thing and remix.
Add cocoa powder and sweetener, mixing after each ingredient. Mix in the dried fruit, (coconut), and nuts.
Spread fudge into 7″x11″ or 9 or 8 inch square pan and refrigerate or freeze until firm. Cut into squares and serve. Keep refrigerated. That’s it! This makes a velvety smooth coconut oil fudge that melts in your mouth (and on your fingers – be warned – no candy coating).
The melting point of coconut oil is around 75ºF, so this will melt very quickly in hot weather if it is left out too long. Let sit out for a few minutes at room temp to make it easier to slice.
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Maple Cranberry-Nut Coconut Oil Fudge Variation
Use 1/2 cup dried cranberries, skipping the cherries and dried coconut. Sweeten with maple syrup. Note: Maple syrup tastes less sweet than honey, so if you prefer a sweeter treat, stick to the honey.
This fudge is very rich, so a little goes a long way. If you like, you can easily cut the recipe in half and pour it into a glass loaf pan, or use the 8×8 pan but just have thinner pieces.
Whatever you do, don’t use refined coconut oil for this recipe! Eating refined coconut oil straight is like eating candle wax. I only use refined coconut oil for frying or greasing pans.
Still worried about eating so much saturated fat? Organic Facts lists the health benefits of coconut oil:
The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.
Coconut Oil Fudge
Easy coconut oil fudge recipe features coconut oil, nuts, cocoa powder, maple syrup or honey plus dried fruit. Loaded with healthy fat and antioxidants.
Ingredients
- 2 cups unrefined coconut oil, softened
- 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
- 1 cup organic cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries or dried, unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or other medium bowl) stir coconut oil until creamy with no lumps.
- (If oil is too thick set bowl in warm water).
- You want the oil soft, not liquid.
- If it is liquid, the other ingredients will settle to the bottom of the pan instead of staying mixed.
- If you have separation, you can warm the whole thing and remix.
- Add cocoa powder and sweetener, mixing after each ingredient.
- Mix in the dried fruit, (coconut), and nuts.
- Spread fudge into 7″x11″ or 9 or 8 inch square pan and refrigerate or freeze until firm.
- Cut into squares and serve. Keep refrigerated. That’s it!
Notes
- This makes a velvety smooth fudge that melts in your mouth.
- (And on your fingers – be warned – no candy coating).
- Coconut oil melts at around 75ºF, so this will melt very quickly in hot weather if left out too long.
- Let sit out for a few minutes at room temperature to make it easier to slice.
- This fudge is very rich, so a little goes a long way.
- If you like, you can easily cut the recipe in half and pour it into a glass loaf pan.
- Alternatively, use the 8×8 pan but just have thinner pieces.
Important note
- Whatever you do, don’t use refined coconut oil for this recipe!
- Eating refined coconut oil straight is like eating candle wax.
- I only use refined coconut oil for frying or greasing pans.
More Sweets and Treats
You may also enjoy:
- Chocolate chip cookie dough truffles
- Homemade Mounds or Almond Joy Bars with Coconut Oil
- Honey Sweetened No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Pins and Shares always much appreciated!
Originally published in 2011, updated in 2014, 2016, 2018.
Just made it. It tastes very good, but unfortunately doesn’t cut into bars. I lined the pan with parchment paper and allowed it to firm up, then pulled the fudge out and cut it on a board. Very disappointed that it can’t be cut into nice squares and is chunked up. At least with desserts they always taste good even if they don’t look pretty.
There’s a sweet spot for cutting it into neat pieces. You want it firm enough that it isn’t mushy, but soft enough that it isn’t brittle. If you try to cut and it’s too brittle, let it sit out for a bit and try again. People’s cold storage options and room temps vary, so it’s next to impossible to give exact times, but that’s the “trick” to tidier pieces.
Alternatively, you can get silicon molds, and portion out individual servings before chilling. There are a bunch of different shapes available. We have hearts and rectangles that we use for homemade mounds bars.
Hi can I use coconut butter in place of the oil as its the only thing I can get cheap Thanks
You could try it, but it won’t have the same texture.
COULD I ADD unflavored gelatin (for joints) or chia seeds to the mix to make eating in FLorida summer?
You can add anything you like. What the texture would be like when you’re done, I’m not sure. Gelatin is typically used to stiffen liquids, not fats, so I don’t think it’ll firm up the fudge very well. Storing the fudge in the freezer will buy more time at room temperature for serving.
I am looking forward to trying this. I love coconut oil. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you like it. We really enjoy it.
Can I use any kind of maple syrup… (I have Pecan flavored) I also have honey but not a huge fan of honey.. Thanks!
I think any sort of natural liquid sweetener would work just fine.
Gross, gross, gross. Thank goodness I only made half a batch of this.
What kind of coconut did you use? If you use refined coconut oil, it would probably taste like chocolate flavored mildly sweetened candle wax. I only use Nutiva on this recipe, which has a rich, fresh coconut flavor. Everyone that’s tried it has raved about it, even my husband who is normally not a big coconut fan.
Another thought I had overnight was whether or not your coconut oil and honey may have separated. You don’t want the coconut oil too hot, or it will want to float on top of the honey instead of remaining blended. Mixing the honey and the cocoa first, and making sure the coconut oil is *just* soft enough to blend – not liquid – will help to yield the correct texture.
Quick question…I live in sunny South Florida. My kitchen is hot this time of the year and my coconut oil is completely melted. Should I stick it in the fridge before making this recipe?
Yes. If the coconut is completely liquid, the solids settle out during mixing. Just let it set up enough so it’s still easy to mix.
Yum, I repinned you. Can I share this on my podcast?
Sure, no problem.
I’m thinking half a batch. Can you believe I’m the only one in my family who likes fudge of any kind?
Other books about coconut oil that I’ve found helpful are “The Coconut Oil Miracle” by Bruce Fife, “Good Fat” by Fran McCullough, and “Saturated Fats May Save Your Life”, also by Bruce Fife.
Thanks for linking your great post to FAT TUESDAY. This was very interesting! Hope to see you next week!
Be sure to visit RealFoodForager.com on Sunday for Sunday Snippets – your post from Fat Tuesday may be featured there!
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/12/fat-tuesday-december-6-2011/
I hope you enjoy it, Tami.
i am looking forward to trying this!!
I usually buy mine through UNFI or directly from Nutiva or Tropical Traditions. Nutiva ships their gallon containers free.
Just a heads up: I started buying my 74 oz of coconut oil at Costco at only $21.00 and some change. Best price in my town anyway. I used to get 54 oz from the Vitamin Shoppe and that was around $26.00 so Costco a lot less cost and a much larger container. It is the Nutiva brand too.
Hi. Recipe sounds delish! Where can we buy the coconut oil n bulk?
Thanks, Alea! Looking forward to your posts.
What a delicious and much healthier fudge recipe. I am going to have to add a category to my candy round up and include your recipe! Thanks for sharing this recipe with the Hearth and Soul Hop.
It IS delicious!
This looks so delicious!
Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasure's Whole Health Weekend Link-Up.
Check back tonight when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts! 🙂
Kelly – I use coconut oil on my hair and skin, too. I like it so much, I buy several gallons at a time.
I've just switched to coconut oil and I mostly use it for frying and salad dressing. And there's nothing I can complain about it. It's really good. I've got mine from http://products.mercola.com/coconut-oil/ I even try this for my hair and skin. And it didn't fail me as well. Now (with the positive results I got) I say that coconut oil is the smartest oil you can use. 🙂
"Eat Fat, Lose Fat" is a good place to start losing your fear of fats. I just finished reading "Deep Nutrition: Why Your Body Needs Traditional Foods" and love, love, loved it! I'm thinking of doing a giveaway on that one, just to get the word out about it.
Enjoy the fudge, and thanks for commenting. 🙂
Cant wait to try it! And I am looking for the book at my local library right now! Thank you!
Thanks for posting, Alicia and Meagan. I hope you enjoy the recipe. Alicia – if you have a post with your peanut butter fudge recipe, please feel free to leave the link. 🙂
I found you through Fight Back Friday – this is great. I liked your suggestion about keeping the oil soft but not melted so the mix-ins stay suspended. Thank you for the tips!
Yumm…will be trying this.. I have a peanut butter fudge that I LOVE too!! Thanks!
Thanks, Jo. It keeps well in the fridge,too, which is nice, because a little goes a long way. It's very rich.
This is great Laurie! I will have my daughter help me make this on Saturday. This is a yummy treat that can be used as our Saturday treat..I will share this tomorrow on the health corner fb page..Thanks for sharing..