?
What is Ketogenic | Nutrition Stripped
Eat Well Dec. 19. 2017
Desserts

Holiday Feel Amazing Fudge

Dec. 19. 2017
Desserts
McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN

McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN

Founder of Nutrition Stripped and the Mindful Nutrition Method™

One of my favorite recipes here on the NS Blog has to be the Feel Amazing Fudge.

This healthy fudge recipe proves that a few pantry staples can come together for an irresistible treat that satisfies you and leaves you feeling great long after you’ve enjoyed it. Not to mention, this Holiday Feel Amazing Fudge is a simple and festive recipe that you can add to your batch cooking list on meal prep day or during the holiday weekend for sweet treats to share.

This healthy dessert recipe at its core has been something I’ve enjoyed for years. It’s an easy way to satisfy a sweet tooth in a healthy way, keeps hunger at bay, and it’s a recipe you can make ahead on meal prep day with ingredients you probably already have stocked in your pantry. Do you remember the popular Mint Chocolate Feel Amazing Fudge?  Today’s recipe is just as good and has a similar recipe but with a couple added festive additions to make it crowd-pleaser this time of year.

So what makes this healthy fudge work? The secret is in the coconut butter. Coconut butter solidifies when it’s chilled, and along with creamy cashew butter or peanut butter, helps bind the fudge similar to what you’d expect from a traditional recipe. The coconut butter is essential to this recipe!

I love making Feel Amazing Fudge on batch cooking day, and usually, I keep a batch for 1-2 weeks depending on how often my sweet tooth craving hits. These bite-sized treats make a great idea for a nightcap in the evening, but they also are nice snacks in between meals since they pack healthy fats that will keep you satiated longer. I’ve been known to enjoy these throughout the day as well as after dinner. Here’s a pro tip when making this: always keeps your Feel Amazing Fudge cold. Since coconut butter melts at room temperature, so will this fudge!

If you try this recipe, I wanna hear about it, so let’s chat! Leave a comment it, rate it (this helps me improve future recipes), and don’t forget to tag a picture #nutritionstripped to show how you live and try these recipes on Instagram! I’d love to see what you come up with. Now off to make a batch of this.

 

Stripped

Healthy fats, mostly from medium chain triglycerides (MCT):

Healthy fats, like that from medium chain triglycerides (MCT) keeps us feeling fuller longer, is involved in keeping our hormones healthy, play a role in heart health, and much more — read more about why fat is good for you here and about the health benefits of coconut here.

Copper:

cashew butter and peanut butter both contain copper which is important in enzyme production and it plays a role in how our body uses iron as an antioxidant to get rid of free radicals. Additionally, copper helps develop bone and connective tissue, supports brain function, helps produce energy (ATP) in the cells, keeps our nervous system healthy, thyroid in balance, plays a role in healthy hair and nails, and melanin production. It’s always important to eat a variety of nuts, seeds, greens, beans and some grains that are copper-rich foods. The good news? Most of us are getting enough copper in our diets!

Optimizer Option:

apart from adding a neutral-tasting protein powder like one that is chocolate, vanilla or no-flavor, try adding an adaptogenic herb. Add 1/2 or 1 tablespoon of the claimed anxiety-relieving adaptogen Ashwagandha to help your body combat physical signs of stress during this busy season, or a 1/2 or 1 tablespoon of Maca powder, another mineral-rich vegetable (root from the broccoli family) that can help ease stress due to its rich magnesium content and may also boost stamina, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, adding physical strength, endurance, and boosting mental focus/clarity. Although more research is needed to dive deep on maca, it’s still delicious and mineral-rich! You can learn more about Maca here, and find out additional information on serving sizes here.

The Recipe

Serves 24

Print

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy cashew butter

½ cup melted coconut butter

1 tablespoon maple syrup

Pinch of sea salt

Optional garnishes: bee pollen, goji berries or dried cranberries, pistachios and pecans, shredded coconut

Directions:

Use a silicon chocolate or cupcake mold to make bite-sized fudge.

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients with a spoon. If garnishing the fudge, put them in the mold before pouring the mixture on top. Otherwise, skip that step for plain fudge and pour the mixture into the silicone molds.

 

Put the dish in the freezer for 10-15 minutes or until hard. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Because coconut oil and coconut butter are liquids at room temperature (or at least soften greatly), don’t let the fudge be at room temperature more than 20 minutes.

Add these items to your grocery list this week:

Coconut butter
Cashew butter or your favorite nut butter

Things you might have in your kitchen already, and if not, are worth picking up:

Coconut oil
Maple syrup
Sea salt

Be Free With Food.

Embrace a Balanced & Peaceful Relationship with Food.

Learn the proven method to feel confident, calm, and in control with food without obsessing or stressing. Start your journey now to experience the freedom and peace that comes with a healthy relationship with food.

🌿 Mindful Nutrition Method™ Course
🌱 Downloadable Worksheets & Templates
✍️ Practice Lab Trainings
🧠 Group Coaching Call Replays
💬 Journal Prompts
🔑 Practical, Effective, & Enjoyable Tools
📱 Self-paced Lessons at Your Fingertips
💫 Built-in Accountability
Start Today →