If you crave something sweet and are worried about staying on your healthy eating plan, boy do I have the treat for you! These No Bake Almond Butter Fudge bars are vegan, refined sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free.
I have been MIA the past couple of weeks. I was trying to soak up the last few days of summer, trying to enjoy the time with my kids as well as try to organize everyone for back to school. We had such a great summer and just like everyone says, it really goes by way too fast. In just a blink of an eye, your baby turns 6.
He's a labor day weekend birthday baby so I always think it's another great reason to celebrate the summer ending. He also started 1st grade in the same school as his older brothers too. He did great on the first day. Me? Yeah, I cried a little bit. Don't get me wrong, we all need some structure and a routine here, but I do miss my little guys.
And just like that, they're off again...
Sigh.
Don't get me wrong, I am really enjoy my neat, quiet house where I can actually get some work done. And the fact that the toilet seat is down. And clean. And I don't hear my name being called 500 times a day. But I do miss them.
Now back to these fudge bars.
I love making easy "treats" that I can send to school with my kids or even have ready as an after school snack. And full disclosure, I LOVE these too so I have to make a double batch (they are healthy so you can totally have two or three pieces, right?)
You can use whatever nut butter you'd like (or sun butter for those with nut allergies) just make sure you swirl them with a toothpick and not just stir it in. It looks prettier that way!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cacao powder
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup 100% maple syrup
- ⅓ cup natural almond butter
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together except almond butter until well blended.
- You can either roll into balls or place into a small baking pan.
- Spoon almond butter on top and with a toothpick, swirl around until evenly mixed.
- Place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Slice into squares.
- Eat immediately or store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
See, I told you they were easy to make! I ended up freezing these bars individually and then putting them in my kid's lunch boxes frozen. They said they were perfect by the time it was to eat!
***Sidenote*** seconds after I wrote my sappy post above about how much I miss my kids, two of them came down screaming crying. I might have to rethink all of that. 😉
Valentina says
I love how easy these no-bake almond butter fudge bars are to make! So delicious and loaded with flavors!
April says
This was so easy to put together and tasted amazing!
Betsy says
This recipe is so wonderfully pleasant! No bake and gluten free? Count me in. Tastes good, too? Yes, please! Great texture and so easy!
Beth says
I love that this recipe is dairy free and absolutely delicious! My family and I just love this fudge! So delicious and very yummy!
Anna says
HELP!! I made this fudge but mine doesn't look like your pics do. My fudge isn't thick like yours, it barely made a small bit, so I had to double the recipe and it still didn't look thick like yours. Any suggestions?? I was wondering if perhaps I'm missing an ingredient or something. I also hand mixed it, because there was so little in my bowl to mix when I threw it all in the mixing bowl, it didn't seem like a hand mixer was going to get it mixed up. I used an organic cacao powder from Whole Foods, which is good, it's just not turning out like what your pictures of yours looks like. And when I added the almond butter, it looked like way to much for the little bit of fudge (because I also doubled the amount of almond butter in the recipe, since I doubled the fudge recipe too).
lauren.kelly says
Hi Anna! The reason why your fudge might not look thick like mine is b/c I used a very small loaf pan for this one. It will depend on the size of your pan, but it will taste the same! You can also roll them into balls too. I hope this helped you! Thanks for stopping by!
Anna says
ok, thank you. I think I used an 8x8 pan. I may roll them next time. 🙂 It was tasty though.
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Gluten free and no bake? Yes, please!
lauren.kelly says
Easy peasy Andi 🙂
Maryanne @ the little epicurean says
Great idea for a no bake snack! Happy birthday to your 6 year old! (Oh, where does the time go?!)
lauren.kelly says
Thank you Maryanne! Yes, time is going by way too fast!
Liza says
WOW I need to make these now! So decadent...and healthy? I'm in! Happy birthday to your six-year old!
lauren.kelly says
Thank you Liza!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Whoa. I seriously need these in my life!! They look amazing and how nice that you don't have to feel guilty enjoying them! Good for you for taking some time off recently. Nice, isn't it?!
lauren.kelly says
Yes, I need to take more time off 🙂
Michelle at A Dish of Daily Life says
I need this recipe in my life! I have never made fudge before, but it looks easy enough from your directions. And I have been wanting to try it out. I am pretty sure these will disappear really quickly! They look absolutely scrumptious!
lauren.kelly says
Thank you Michelle!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
As the mom of 4 boys, I know just how you feel and it never changes! I still tear up when my youngest, 6"3" guy heads out the door to head back to college but then again, have you lived with college students? I have mixed feelings on the subject 🙂 You've managed to create totally decadent looking bars with a great list of healthy ingredients. Fabulous!
lauren.kelly says
Oh wow Valerie, you know all too well! It's so bittersweet!
Holly @ 3 Yummy Tummies says
These look too good to be healthy...I love guilt-free snacks! I'll take a handful now!
lauren.kelly says
Me too Holly! Thank you!
Stephanie says
These look WAY too good to be healthy! Sign me up for 3, please 🙂
lauren.kelly says
You got it, Stephanie 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Is it normal to be envious of their lunchboxes? I am. These look awesome Lauren- Totally on team 3-4 pieces because they are healthy! 🙂
lauren.kelly says
Totally normal Arman!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I am so with you, happy and sad to see my girls off to school. Back to work for us! Love these bars and I know my daughters would too!
lauren.kelly says
Thanks Katie!