Do you have a sweet tooth like me but feel guilty indulging in highly processed junk with ingredients you can't even pronounce? Do you have sugar cravings that are impossible to ignore and turn you into the devil if chocolate is not within arms reach? Good, let's be best friends.
I'm sure we all have such good intentions at the beginning of the week- gym, healthy meals, expensive cold pressed juice that makes you gag with your first sip but it promises to cleanse your liver so ehhhhhh, you continue glugging down the $9 potion that tastes like grass. Then in a moment of weakness- BAM! - all your good work is undone when you demolish 6 tim tams in a row with your coffee whilst watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians and wondering if Kim actually has had bottom implants because............ WHOA .................... (No? Just me?).
Well, let me introduce you to my new favourite treat. Something that satisfies a sweet craving with only the smallest piece and something that doesn't actually make you feel that horrible guilt after you demolish 6 tim tams in a row (-- yes I keep going back to the 6 tim tams because maybe this happened last week). This fudge is actually GOOD FOR YOU. Incredibly good for you in fact- it's a SUPERFOOD. No sugar. Lots of benefits. You are actually doing yourself a favour by having a small piece of this everyday. Can you get your head around that? I can't because it tastes SO SO GOOD. (Bold, italics totally necessary here).
Before the recipe, I think I should clarify I'm probably the last person on earth to discover raw coconut oil and its incredible health benefits. I am WAY behind the times, like years behind it seems. (And in other news, I heard some smart person invented something called the wheel???)
So just briefly I want to outline the health benefits of raw coconut oil in case you were in dark about it like I was.
It increases metabolism (YES! ), kills bacteria & viruses, decreases your appetite for bad fats & sugar, helps regulate cholesterol, increases brain function. You are recommended to have a tablespoon a day when possible. Let me tell you- with this fudge that is an EASY target to reach, trust me.
The second important component to this fudge is CACAO (not to be mistaken with cocoa). Cacao is the actual bean, and raw cacao is not processed. It’s just dehydrated and powdered. Cocoa is a processed from of cacao. It's considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet. It contains more antioxidants than any other food and is 80% magnesium, creates serotonin in your brain, helps you relax, decreases appetite, cuts cravings for sugar, and is high in iron. All good stuff. Maybe I should start snorting it? KIDDING, KIDDING (.... but only kind of).
4 ingredients, basic to make, good for you, delicious. What are you waiting for? (Also good to note: this isn't dense chewy fudge, it's melt in your mouth, smooth deliciousness).
Recipe adapted from Raddest Mom.
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup (heaping) RAW virgin coconut oil
3/4 cup (exact) RAW CACAO powder (if you only have unsweetened cocoa, you can use it, but cacao is much healthier and better)
3-4 tablespoons raw honey
1 pinch of sea salt
Optional: cacao nibs, coconut flakes, walnuts for the top.
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a stand mixer, or in a bowl with a whisk, whip the coconut oil until it’s a little fluffy, about 2 min. It won’t fluff up like whipped cream, but it should get smooth.
Add in the Cacao powder, honey, and sea salt. Continue to whip the ingredients together until they become smooth, about 1 minute.
If you just want plain fudge, then you are ready to put the mixture into the pan! If you like a little pizzazz, feel free to add some raw cacao nibs. I like a little extra crunch, so I add about 1/4 cup of cacao nibs to mine & mix them in.
Now, pour the mixture into a small baking dish, about 9×9. Smooth the top out and try and make it pretty.
If you want to add some toppings, now is the time to do it. I added walnuts, cacao nibs, and coconut flakes, but you can leave it plain and it’s just as delicious.
Put it in the fridge and let it set for a couple of hours. When it’s done, you can cut it into squares so that way it’s ready to eat when you want it! Keep the pan in the fridge, unless you are transferring it to a glass container. Coconut oil is very fragile, and will melt when it gets room temp or hotter. I like to leave mine in the pan so it stays really cold and keeps its crunch.
ENJOY!
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