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Home » Type » Desserts » Candy » Protein Chocolate Fudge {Gluten-Free; Vegan}

Protein Chocolate Fudge {Gluten-Free; Vegan}

March 25, 2016 by Faith 9 Comments

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Protein Chocolate Fudge that won’t foil your healthy eating…this rich gluten-free treat is sweetened with dates and pure maple syrup with complex flavor notes of vanilla and espresso.

Protein Chocolate Fudge {Gluten-Free; Vegan} 1

We all get those days. Maybe that one coworker was relentless today, or maybe traffic was especially fun. Maybe your hubs is giving your marriage vows a run for their money (hey, it happens in real life). Or perhaps it’s just that time of the month. Whatever the reason, sometimes we just need a little chocolate in our lives, especially when it’s healthy like this Protein Chocolate Fudge. Am I right, ladies?

Not to mention, when certain holidays roll around (ahem, Easter), and we’re inundated with chocolate everywhere we look. There’s no avoiding temptation, so we might as well give in…with something that’s actually nourishing!

Protein Chocolate Fudge {Gluten-Free; Vegan} 2

Something funny about this recipe…when I was making it, Mike saw the chopped chocolate I was using (which is completely unsweetened!) and grabbed a piece; before I could tell him I didn’t think he’d enjoy it, he stuffed it in his mouth. Two seconds later he spit it out and asked me how on earth I can eat that. After that I couldn’t get him to try this fudge for love nor money, despite assuring him that it is adequately sweetened with dates and maple syrup.

Protein Chocolate Fudge {Gluten-Free; Vegan} 3

However, this Protein Chocolate Fudge is definitely not overly sweet! If you have a serious sweet tooth or are making this fudge for husbands and/or kids, you can increase the dates to 6 oz/170 grams and increase the maple syrup to 6 tablespoons. It’s still a healthier choice than most store-bought candy!

There are times when I surprise myself at how well a recipe turns out. I mean, I expected this one to be good (it was adapted from my recipe for Paleo Brownie Batter, which is one of my favorite healthy indulgences), but it goes so far beyond good. Especially considering it’s full of real food ingredients and won’t blow your healthy eating to smithereens.

Here are a few more homemade candy recipes to inspire you…

3-Ingredient Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Eggs

3-Ingredient Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Eggs {Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs Copycat}

Salted Caramels

Salted Caramels

Chocolate-Covered Sponge Candy

Chocolate-Covered Sponge Candy

Healthy Chocolate Treats

One of the keys to making healthy chocolate treats that you can enjoy more frequently like this Protein Chocolate Fudge is to choose a healthier sweetener alternative instead of sugar. Use unsweetened chocolate and/or unsweetened cocoa powder and instead of adding regular sugar, so you can use a more natural sweetener (like honey or maple syrup) or a low or no-calorie sweetener (such as stevia or erythritol).

In This Article

  • Healthy Fudge Recipe
  • Paleo Sweeteners to Make Healthy Chocolate Treats (Like Protein Chocolate Fudge!)
  • Naked Nutrition Pea Protein Powder
  • Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Protein Powder
  • Protein Chocolate Fudge (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Healthy Fudge Recipe

I always think of fudge as a special occasion treat. As a kid, the only time we had fudge in my family was on holidays like Christmas and Easter! But there’s no reason fudge can’t be healthy, and when it’s healthy there’s no reason we can’t fit it into our regular eating habits, right? This recipe is chock full of nutrient-dense ingredients:

  • Unsweetened chocolate
  • Medjool dates
  • Tahini
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Unsweetened almond milk
  • Pure vanilla extract
  • Chocolate protein powder
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Salt
  • Espresso powder

Paleo Sweeteners to Make Healthy Chocolate Treats (Like Protein Chocolate Fudge!)

Here are a few of my favorite paleo-friendly sweeteners:

  • Dates
  • Coconut sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Honey (not vegan)
  • Stevia

Vegan Protein Powder

In this recipe for Protein Chocolate Fudge, I used vegan pea protein powder, which is a great source of dietary protein for vegans and vegetarians. I developed this recipe using a slightly-sweetened chocolate-flavored protein powder, so if you use an different flavor of protein powder, you may want to add more sweetener and/or chocolate.

Naked Nutrition Pea Protein Powder

This protein powder is made by extracting the soluble pea protein from yellow-split peas; most of the starch and fiber is removed. Yellow pea protein powder is an excellent source of dietary protein for people who cannot use animal or milk-based proteins. Naked Nutrition Pea Protein Powder is processed via mechanical water-extraction without the use of chemicals, and is gluten free, dairy free, and soy free. The only ingredient is yellow pea protein. This pea protein powder also comes in chocolate flavor, which contains just yellow pea protein, organic raw cacao, and organic coconut sugar.

Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Protein Powder

This blend is made from pea protein powder, chicory root fiber, chia seeds, probiotics, and monk fruit extract for a bit of sweetness. Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Protein Powder is gluten free, vegan, a good source of omega-3, an excellent source of iron, and high in fiber.

More Protein-Rich Healthy Chocolate Treat Recipe Inspiration:

  • Protein-Packed Thick and Creamy Hot Chocolate from Healthy Sweet Eats
  • Chocolate Protein Pancakes from Jennifer Meyering
  • 3-Ingredient Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites from The Keto Queens

Protein Chocolate Fudge {Gluten-Free; Vegan} 4

Protein Chocolate Fudge on Vintage Plate {Gluten-Free; Vegan}

Protein Chocolate Fudge (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

By: Faith Gorsky
Protein Chocolate Fudge that won’t foil your healthy eating…this rich gluten-free treat is sweetened with dates and pure maple syrup with complex flavor notes of vanilla and espresso.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 24 mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people
Calories 202 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted
  • 4 oz pitted Medjool dates (about 6 to 8), soaked in hot water for 3 minutes if they need softening
  • ½ cup tahini
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons plain unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chocolate protein powder of choice see Note
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon espresso powder

Instructions
 

  • Line an 8½ inch by 4½ inch loaf pan with plastic wrap and set aside.
  • Add the melted chocolate, dates, tahini, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla to a food processor and process until smooth.
  • Add the protein powder, cocoa powder, salt, and espresso powder and process until smooth.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it out in an even layer. Cover the top with plastic wrap and refrigerate until fully chilled, about 2 to 4 hours, before cutting.
  • Serve; you can store any leftovers wrapped in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Faith's Tips

Protein Powder: I used Bob's Red Mill Chocolate Protein Powder in this recipe; Naked Nutrition Chocolate Pea Protein Powder would also be great.
The Flecks of Chia Seeds You See in the Fudge: Are from the protein powder I used! I didn’t add additional chia seeds.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Protein Chocolate Fudge (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 202 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 6mg2%
Sodium 63mg3%
Potassium 302mg9%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 25IU1%
Vitamin C 0.5mg1%
Calcium 86mg9%
Iron 2.7mg15%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Protein Chocolate Fudge
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items. Thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!

Filed Under: Candy, Chocolate, Gluten Free, Protein, Vegan Tagged: Candy, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Easter, Fudge, Gluten-Free, Healthy Homemade Candy, High-Protein, Holiday Recipes, Homemade, Medjool Dates, Recipes, Snacks, Tahini, Vegan

Comments

  1. Amanda Paa says

    April 2, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    totally divine! and i love love the story about your husband tasting the unsweetened chocolate. reminds me of last week when i made some gf blueberry lemon muffins, and they were amazing, but my beau said “they’re good, but they must be healthy, right?” lol.

    this fudge is calling my name! i’ve recently found a protein powder i like so i’m excited to try your recipe. dates, aren’t they a mighty little fruit?

    xo

    Reply
  2. Kevin | Keviniscooking says

    March 30, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    From a male perspective, I’d eat chocolate ANYTIME. I actually swore off and made sure I had no chocolate malted easter eggs this year. I am so proud, but this would make me cave in for sure. Love the dates/maple syrup sweeter in this too. Then that tahini came out of nowhere. Pinned to try!
    BTW, the other recipes you posted are killing me. Especially that sponge candy. I’m a sucker for that every time. :)

    Reply
  3. Laura | Tutti Dolci says

    March 29, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    I love this healthier take on fudge! Just what I need for my afternoon pick me up :).

    Reply
  4. Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says

    March 26, 2016 at 6:25 am

    Totally trying this so so soon! My husband is the complete opposite as he LOVES unsweetened dark chocolate. Totally weird HA!

    Reply
  5. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says

    March 25, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    THAT is totally something that my husband would do. He’s forever sneaking behind me to steal a nibble of whatever it is I’m cooking.

    Reply
  6. Sara says

    March 25, 2016 at 9:17 am

    I love that this is a healthier treat, real fudge is SO bad for you. Can’t wait to make some!

    Reply
  7. Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary says

    March 25, 2016 at 8:16 am

    hmm….looks wonderfully yummy! pass me some please… :)

    Reply
  8. Marye says

    March 25, 2016 at 7:47 am

    This looks delicious! A perfect protein snack for sure!

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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