MINI CACAO FUDGE TREATS

This treat recipe from Michelle Bridges’s recipe collection (originally from Melissa Ambrosini) I did not need to adapt at all. At 80 calories each, these mini treats seem super indulgent after a day of healthy food. I love that no additional oil is added to these little snacks. I would strongly suggest that you opt for fresh Medjool dates, as they are the king of all dates. These are super addictive so just take ONE out of the fridge at a time and eat SLOWLY. I’m set for my next 30 desserts!

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup fresh Medjool dates (235g), pits removed and roughly chopped
• 1 cup walnuts (127g)
• 1/2 cup cacao powder (45g) 

Preparation 

1. Place the dates, walnuts and cacao in a food processor and process for 1 minute or until finely ground. The mixture should look similar to cake crumbs but should be able to easily stick together. 

2. Firmly press the mixture into ice cube moulds, making sure to fill them to the brim. Depending on the size of your moulds, this recipe should make between 20-30 mini treats. 

3. Place in the fridge until ready to eat. 

Makes / 20-30

Total Preparation time / 10 minutes including moulding

Total Calories / 80 

x Emily 

HOMEMADE CACAO, PEANUT & MACADAMIA FUDGE

This fudge idea came from a decadent smoothie I saw on Instagram. I’ve been suffering from a bit of a sweet tooth recently, however I did not want to buy myself anything processed to satisfy this craving. Hence the homemade dessert! 

This fudge is extremely rich and bitter (due to the ample amount of cacao in it), however the peanut butter and salt cut through that bitterness in a very delightful way. Because of the richness of this raw treat, you actually cannot eat too much of it in one sitting, which is a big positive for all of us (have a think about how much milk chocolate you can devour before the flavour becomes too intense…perhaps a whole block?!). You do not need to include any fudge filling if you do not want, however I find the different texture a filling provides quite nice. Cornflakes may sound like a funny filling, but I loved it! Any type of nut is great too.

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup dates (preferably Medjool dates, pitted & roughly chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed cacao powder
• 3/4 cup coconut oil, liquid form
• water 
• 1 cup organic or no added sugar peanut butter
• Optional fillings; a handful of macadamias, chopped in half or any type of nut, a handful of cornflakes, a handful of dried fruit, etc

PREPARATION 

1. Soak the dates in hot water for around 20 minutes or until they are soft. Drain well. 

2. Place the dates, salt, cacao coconut oil and peanut butter in a high speed blender until well combined. You may need to add a few splashes of water to blend all the ingredients together, but do so sparingly so as not to make the fudge consistency runny. 

3. Pour your filling, if using, into the blender and stir to combine to keep the texture. 

4. Spoon the fudge into a small baking tin or container evenly, using a wet spoon to spread evenly. 

5. Put in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until the fudge has set (that is, you can slice the fudge without it losing its shape). Cut into slices or blocks or small pieces. Keep in the fridge until ready to eat. 

Makes / A huge amount of servings! 

Total Preparation time / 1 hr 30 minutes (including the soaking of the dates and the setting time) 

x Emily