Easy Vegan Dark Chocolate Fudge Recipe

     I love Fudge! Our family makes some every holiday season, starting around Thanksgiving and on until after the New Years. We love chocolate, and fudge is just another great way to get our chocolate fix!
     When I deicided to go vegan, I thought I would never had fudge again, and I have to admitt, I was a little sad about that! Last year, I made these delicious Chocolate Holiday Truffles instead of fudge, and while they are amazing and chocolatey, they aren't fudge. This year I was determined to have some fudge, so I made some and it turned out amazing!

     Most vegan fudge recipes call for things like cocoa butter, canned coconut, or vegan butters. I'm sure those recipes are delicious, but when I went to make fudge, I didn't have any of these things, so I had to get creative! This recipe just has a few ingredients and uses coconut oil as the binder. Its totally customizeable and is super easy to whip up for a holiday party or chocolate craving!

 

 

Ingredients:

 

3 1/2  cups Powdered Sugar

1 cup Cocoa Powder

1 tsp Salt

1/2 cup Coconut Oil

1/3 cup Coconut Milk (or any non-dairy milk)

1 tsp Vanilla

 

Optional Add-Ins

 

1 tsp Cinnamon or Instant Coffee Granules

1 tsp Peppermint or Orange Extracts

1/4 cup finely chopped Pecans, Walnuts or Almonds

1/4 cup Dried Fruit ( Cranberries, Mango...)

1/3 cup crushed Candy Canes

 

 

     Okay, lets get started! First, grease or line a baking pan. I used 8x8 pan, but use whatever you have. The smaller the pan, the thicker the fudge and the longer it will take to harden, so just keep that in mind!

 



      Then, in a large bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt( if you are adding in cinnamon, coffee granules or any other dry spices, add them in now). Mix well to combine.

Now, add in the coconut oil (room temp.) and coconut milk.

     Give it a quick stir and then pop it in the microwave,( or over a double-boiler) for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until it is completely melted and everything is combined well. It should resemble 'normal' fudge.

     Add in the vanilla( or whatever extras you are using) and any add-ins you want. Give it one final mix and then pour it into your prepared pan and flatten it out.

    Now is when you can add crushed candy canes or nuts to the top if you choose. Allow to cool for at least a hour before slicing into squares and enjoying!

     This fudge is amazing! Its has the same melt-in-your mouth texture as 'normal' fudge does and it is so rich, dark and chocolatey- everything fudge should be! I chose to keep this batch simple with just some vanilla for flavoring, but I am excited to try out a peppermint batch, coffee, or even some cayenne pepper for a kick!

     I really hope you try this recipe out and that you love it as much as I do! I am so happy to be able to have fudge this year, even  though I am vegan! Just because this is a vegan, dairy-free recipe doesn't mean that everyone won't love it, regardless of their diet/lifestyle!

Please share this recipe and my blog with your friends and family to spread the love of good food and a healthy lifestyle!

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Happy New Year!

Hannah

Vegan Apple Pie

     Christmas is just a few days away and that probably means alot of baking, cooking or traveling for most of you! I love cooking and baking for the holidays and sharing what I make with my friends and family! Pies are just one of the many desserts we have around the holidays and Applie pie has to be one of my favorites!

     This Apple Pie is super easy to make, just has a few ingredients, and is really delicious! I love how the kitchen smells when this pie is in the oven!

Ingredients:

Crust

2 cups Flour ( I like to use half whole wheat and half all purpose)

1/2 cup chilled Coconut Oil

4 TBS Sugar or Maple Syrup

1 tsp Salt

1/2 cup ice cold Water ( or enough to bind the dough together )

Pie Filling

7-8 large Apples

1 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Flour

4 tbs Corn Starch

2 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Salt

4 tbs Lemon Juice

1/2 cup Water or Apple Juice

     Start by washing, peeling and slicing your apples and soaking them in the lemon juice for around 30 minutes. While they are soaking, make your pie crust.

      Mix together the dry ingredients- flour, salt, and sugar. Then, add in the chilled coconut oil and use a fork or your fingers to rub it into the flour mix. Once you have crumbly mixture, start add the cold water bit by bit until you have a smooth dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes.

     Okay, back to the apple pie filling! Add in the water to the apples and lemon juice. Then add in all the dry ingredients- flour, starch, spices, sugar and salt. Mix to coat and then set aside.

      Flour a surface and place half of the chilled dough on it. Roll it out big enough to fit in your pie pan with some 'extra' around the edges.

Pour in the pie mix and as much of the liquid as you can. Set aside.

     Roll out the remaining crust dough and slice it into strips. Alternate laying the strips across the pie to make a woven pattern. Or you can use cookies cutters to make fun shapes for the tops! Brush some water over the crust and spinkle on some extra sugar.

     Line a baking sheet (one with a lip around the edges) with tin foil and place the pie on the sheet. Heat the oven to 375. Bake the pie for 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the filling has cooked through. Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

     I love to eat this pie with coconut or almond vanilla ice cream or some coconut whipped cream! Its best served warm right out of the oven, or warmed up for breakfast the next day! How ever you choose to eat this pie, I just know you are going to love it!

    You can use this pie crust for just about any pie or even homemade pop-tart crusts! I love how simple it is to make! It would also be a great idea to make several batches and freeze them for later use!

I hope you have enjoyed this recipe post and that you make this recipe and see why I love this recipe so much! Its a great dessert for the holidays or anytime of the year!

Please share this post and my blog with your friends and family to spread the love of a healthy livestyle!

You can follow the blog via email, Google or social media!

Instragram- That_Vegan_Runner

Twitter- Spinachisgood

Tumblr- justrunningforfood

Pinterest- Hannah Plunkett

I post every Friday!

Stay healthy, happy and laughing!
Happy Holidays!
Hannah