Kristen Fleming holds a Master of Science in Nutrition. Over her 8 years of experience in dietetics, she has made significant contributions in clinical, community, and editorial settings. With 2 years as a clinical dietitian in an inpatient setting, 2 years in community health education, and 4 years of editorial experience focusing on nutrition and health-related content, Kristen's expertise is multifaceted.
Cravings for sweets can be a real challenge, especially when you’re following a low-carb diet like keto. It’s not uncommon to find yourself longing for that sugary satisfaction, which can sometimes lead to the temptation of indulging in high-carb treats. However, giving in to your cravings doesn’t necessarily mean your diet has to go off track. In fact, there are delicious alternatives that can help you stay committed to your goals. This is where the keto fudge comes into the picture – a scrumptious solution to satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to your low-carb lifestyle. Not only does this delectable treat curb your cravings, but it also serves as a high-fat snack that’s essential for fueling your body on the ketogenic diet. Remember, fat is a critical component of keto, as it helps your body achieve and maintain ketosis for potential weight loss and health benefits (1). In this blog post, we’re excited to share with you a melt-in-your-mouth keto fudge recipe that checks all the boxes: it’s quick and easy to make, contains minimal carbs, and tastes just as good, if not better than the real thing. So, get ready to indulge guilt-free and enjoy a keto-friendly fudge that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
Is Fudge Keto?
Traditional fudge is not keto-friendly due to its high sugar content and use of ingredients that are not compatible with a low-carb diet. However, keto fudge made with alternative sweeteners and keto-compliant ingredients can be enjoyed as a part of the ketogenic diet.
By substituting sugar with low-carb sweeteners like erythritol or stevia and using high-fat ingredients, such as coconut oil or almond butter, you can create a delicious keto fudge that satisfies your sweet tooth without derailing your diet.
The amount of sugar used in traditional fudge recipes can vary, but a typical batch often contains around 2-3 cups of granulated sugar for every 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan of fudge.
This equates to approximately 400-600 grams of sugar, which is a significant amount considering that a single teaspoon of sugar weighs about 4 grams.
Consequently, each piece of fudge can contain anywhere from 20-30 grams of sugar, depending on the size of the serving.
Note that sugar plays a crucial role in traditional fudge making, as it not only contributes to the sweet taste but also affects the texture and consistency of this classic confection.
In a standard fudge recipe, sugar is combined with other ingredients, such as milk, butter, and flavorings, and then cooked to a specific temperature to achieve the desired consistency.
Traditional fudge is made with ingredients that are high in carbohydrates, primarily due to the sugar content. The main components of a classic fudge recipe include sugar, milk or cream, butter, and flavorings such as chocolate or vanilla.
Sugar
As mentioned earlier, a typical fudge recipe contains around 2-3 cups of granulated sugar. Each cup of sugar has approximately 200 grams of carbohydrates, so the sugar alone can contribute 400-600 grams of carbs to the entire batch.
Milk Or Cream
These dairy products contain lactose, which is a natural sugar and a source of carbohydrates. One cup of whole milk has about 12 grams of carbs, while a cup of heavy cream contains around 7 grams of carbs.
Butter
Butter has a minimal carb content, with less than 1 gram of carbohydrates per 1/2 cup (1 stick).
The carb content in flavorings can vary. For example, unsweetened cocoa powder has about 8 grams of carbs per 1/4 cup, while unsweetened chocolate has around 12 grams of carbs per ounce.
Considering these ingredients and their carb content, a traditional 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan of fudge can have approximately 420-630 grams of carbohydrates.
The exact number of carbs per serving will depend on the size of each piece, but it’s safe to say that traditional fudge is high in carbohydrates and not suitable for low-carb diets like keto.
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How To Make Keto Fudge?
Making keto fudge involves substituting high-carb ingredients found in traditional fudge recipes with low-carb, keto-friendly alternatives. These substitutions ensure that the fudge remains delicious while adhering to the nutritional requirements of a ketogenic diet.
Here are the main categories of substitutions and options available for making keto fudge:
1. Sweeteners
Instead of using granulated sugar, opt for low-carb sweeteners like erythritol, xylitol, monk fruit sweetener, or stevia. These sugar alternatives have little to no impact on blood sugar levels and help maintain ketosis.
However, they may differ in sweetness intensity, so adjust the quantity according to your taste preference. For example, stevia in its purest form is 300 times sweeter than sugar. Furthermore, some stevia products are mixed with dextrose, which increases their carb count.
Exercise caution when choosing which low-carb sugar to use. Keep in mind that some sugar substitutes may cause a slight cooling effect in the final product.
Replace regular milk or cream with high-fat, low-carb alternatives such as heavy cream, coconut milk, or coconut cream. These options provide a creamy texture without adding excessive carbs.
For the fat content, use butter, coconut oil, or nut butter like almond or cashew butter. These fats are essential for maintaining ketosis and providing a rich and satisfying mouthfeel to the fudge.
3. Flavorings
Choose unsweetened cocoa powder or dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (85% or more) for chocolate-flavored fudge. Unsweetened cocoa and dark chocolate are lower in carbs compared to milk chocolate or sweetened chocolate. For other flavors, use extracts like vanilla, mint, or almond, making sure they don’t contain added sugars.
4. Binders And Thickeners
Traditional fudge recipes often rely on sugar and dairy components for their structure. In keto fudge, you can use binders like gelatin or xanthan gum to achieve a similar consistency. These thickeners help stabilize the fudge and provide a smooth texture without adding significant carbohydrates.
What Is The Best Keto Dark Chocolate Fudge Recipe?
The best keto chocolate fudge recipe combines simple, high-quality ingredients to create a rich and satisfying treat that adheres to the nutritional requirements of a ketogenic diet.
Here’s a delicious keto fudge recipe with cocoa powder for you to try (2):
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips together in 30-second intervals until fully melted.
Stir the sweetener and cocoa powder into the mixture until smooth.
Pour the mixture into a parchment paper-lined 8×8-inch baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
Sprinkle with a pinch of coarse sea salt if desired.
Let it cool for 10 minutes at room temperature before transferring it to the refrigerator to set for 2 hours or overnight. For softer fudge, let it sit in the fridge for 1 hour only.
Cut into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife and enjoy!
Here is a delicious keto peanut butter fudge recipe loaded with healthy fats that you can enjoy guilt-free:
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened creamy peanut butter (add a pinch of salt if it’s unsalted)
½ cup butter
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
⅓ cup collagen peptides (or another ¼ cup to ⅓ cup Swerve Confectioners)
Instructions:
Prepare an 8×4 inch loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper.
In a medium saucepan, melt peanut butter and butter over low heat until combined. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
Add the vanilla extract, Swerve Sweetener, and collagen peptides to the pan and mix until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness as desired with a sweetener of your choice.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
Let cool for 10 minutes at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator to set for 2 hours or overnight.
Nutrition: Yield: 15 servings | Amount Per Serving (1 piece) | Calories 178 | Calories from Fat 126
Fat 14 g | Carbohydrates 3.9 g | Fiber 0.9 g | Protein 8.3 g
The right keto fudge recipe offers a delicious, low-carb alternative to traditional fudge, allowing you to indulge guilt-free while maintaining your ketogenic diet. Savor the rich, satisfying flavors as you curb your sweet cravings with ease.
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