Gluten-free Backpackers Fudge (dairy-free)

Gluten-free Backpackers Fudge
gluten-free | dairy-free | tree nut free | egg free
by Alexa Lehr | The Pioneer Chicks | July 18, 2024
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Gluten-free backpackers fudge is not your traditional smooth fudge recipe, but it certainly has the gooey sweetness and addictiveness of any fudge I’ve ever had! Think of backpackers fudge as more of a sweet oatmeal fudge bar. This fudge combines two of the best flavors (peanut butter and chocolate) into a deliciously sweet, melt in your mouth dessert bar. And despite being addictively delicious, these gluten-free fudge bars are actually made with healthy and wholesome ingredients! They are the perfect sweet dessert or special snack for any day on the homestead, and they will definitely be enjoyed by modern pioneers of all ages!

Modern Pioneer Recipe

Despite its adventurous sounding name, I am pretty sure the early pioneers did not have backpackers fudge. However, it is certainly a modern pioneer recipe since this fudge is a wholesome recipe that uses healthy ingredients. Not like traditional fudge that is loaded with refined sugar and dairy!

One of the best parts about this modern pioneer recipe is that most everything in this recipe can be made from scratch. I found that it was quite easy to make my own dairy-free sweetened condensed milk and I have even made my own chocolate chips and chunks before! While I used allergy-friendly store-bought chocolate chips in my fudge, you can easily make your own chocolate chips and use them in your recipe.

I also purposefully kept this fudge recipe low sugar, even though you would never be able to tell by the taste! The only sweetener is the coconut sugar in the homemade sweetened condensed milk and the sugar in the chocolate chips. A lot of the organic chocolate chips that you can buy contain cane sugar, which we try to eat only in moderation. I like using Lily’s Sweets chocolate chips that are sweetened with stevia.

So, not only does this fudge recipe use wholesome ingredients, but it is also allergy-friendly! Part of baking like a modern pioneer is paying attention to what you can and cannot eat. This fudge should be able to fit into a variety of anti-inflammatory and allergy-free diets. Backpackers fudge is….

• gluten-free
• dairy-free
• egg free
• tree nut free
• corn free
• low sugar

Looking for more delicious allergy-friendly desserts to try this summer? Check out The Pioneer Chicks Cookie Cookbook for over 40 amazing cookie recipes that will keep the cookie jar stocked for everyone!

What is Backpackers Fudge?

Okay, so I’ll be honest, I don’t rightly know why this fudge recipe is called backpackers fudge. All I know is that the original recipe has been around in my family since before I can remember, and my dad and grandpa LOVE this dessert!

The original recipe used traditional sweetened condensed milk, which we couldn’t have because of an intolerance to dairy. I tried messing around with a few recipe substitutions, but none of them had the taste and texture I was going after. Thus, I attempted to make my own dairy-free sweetened condensed coconut milk, which turned out a success!

What’s the texture like?

Backpackers fudge does not contain the ‘usual’ fudge ingredients, like processed sugars, dairy products, or cocoa powder. It does not have the smooth, rich texture of traditional fudge.

Instead, backpackers fudge is packed with wholesome ingredients, like whole oats, natural sweeteners, homemade dairy substitutes, and protein-rich peanut butter. Backpackers fudge has a sticky, sweet texture with the complimentary tastes of peanut butter and chocolate. The peanut butter does not overpower the other flavors though, and the coconut milk does not give the fudge a coconut flavor either. The whole oats add a nice texture and give the fudge its own kind of smooth, creaminess.

Why is it called ‘backpackers’ fudge?

The only reason I could think of as to why this fudge is called backpackers fudge is because it is like a high-energy, healthy granola bar. Backpackers fudge is a healthy snack to pack on a day hike or camping adventures! It provides energy without the processed sugars contained in traditional granola bars.

No matter what it’s called, this fudge recipe is perfect for any outdoor activity or it makes the perfect, healthy dessert! I love having it as a snack too! Another healthy snack bar that you can make are these gluten-free nut free trail bars. They are perfect for packing on day trips or taking on hiking adventures as well!

Fudge Recipe Tips

I think one reason my family likes this fudge recipe is because it is so easy and simple to make. My grandma likes simple recipes, so it makes since that this recipe would stick around in my family! Since I had to edit the original recipe a little bit to make it dairy-free and suitable to our dietary restrictions, I have a few recipe tips to ensure that your healthy backpackers fudge turns out a success!

• Simmering the Milk– It’s really important that you simmer down the coconut milk, coconut sugar, and tapioca flour together. This is what makes the dairy-free sweetened condensed milk.
• Pre-Fudge Prep– I recommend making the sweetened condensed milk up the night before and refrigerating it before using it in the fudge. I did not do this the first time and the warm sweetened condensed milk melted all of my chocolate chips, giving the fudge a more chocolatey look. Either way, the fudge still tastes delicious! However, traditional backpackers fudge does not have melted chocolate chips.
• Peanut Free– If you want to try and make this fudge peanut free, you could try substituting in a different nut or seed butter. Almond butter or cashew butter would be delicious!
• Chocolate Chip Sizes– I have made this fudge with both traditional size chocolate chips and mini chips. Both taste great, but I like the texture of the traditional size chocolate chips the best. Chocolate chunks would also be good in this fudge!
• Storing Fudge– This fudge can easily be stored in the freezer! In fact, my favorite way to eat it is straight from the freezer! Don’t get me wrong, it’s good warm as well, I just tend to have a fondness for frozen desserts.

What’s In Backpackers Fudge?

Unlike traditional fudge recipes, backpackers fudge contains high energy ingredients that are healthy and simple. Since I’ve already highlighted that this recipe contains wholesome ingredients, I would like to expound on some of the key ingredients in this fudge:

• Gluten-free Whole Oats- Gluten free oats are high in fiber and are a good source of plant-based protein.
• Peanut Butter- This protein-rich ingredient makes these fudge bars a source of lasting energy. Make sure you buy organic peanut butter that uses peanut oil (not seed oils) and is sugar free.
• Canned Coconut Milk- Since coconut milk is a non-dairy milk substitute, it helps make this fudge anti-inflammatory and dairy-free.
• Coconut Sugar- Coconut sugar is a slow metabolizing sugar which minimizes any blood sugar spikes.
• Chocolate Chips- Okay, so maybe they aren’t the healthiest ingredient, but they are what makes this fudge so addicting!

No dairy which causes inflammation, no processed sugars to cause a blood sugar spike, and no gluten which also triggers inflammation… this gluten-free backpackers fudge is the perfect healthy dessert or snack for modern pioneers!

Looking for other simple and delicious snack ideas? Make sure you check out some of my favorite New Year’s Eve snacks (also good for any time of the year!) or this delicious gluten-free peanut butter granola recipe! For another high-energy, high-protein snack bar, check out these peanut butter protein bars. These are one of my favorite snacking bars, and they are naturally sweetened and even no-bake!

I try to keep a stash of these gluten-free backpackers fudge bars in my freezer for whenever I need a healthy dessert or a quick snack. I absolutely LOVE the texture of these fudge bars. And of course, how could I resist a bar made of two of my favorite ingredients: oats and peanut butter! Your family is definitely going to be hooked on these backpacker fudge bars!

Where to Find the Ingredients:

• Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free oats
• Bob’s Red Mill tapioca flour
• Dairy-free sweetened condensed coconut milk
• Dairy-free sweetened condensed oat milk
• Anthony’s organic coconut sugar
• Simply Organic vanilla extract
• Enjoy Life semi-sweet mega chunks
• Lily’s Sweets semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Native Forest organic coconut milk
• Nutiva coconut oil
• Supplies: 7″x11″ glass baking dish

Gluten-free backpackers fudge is sweet, flavorful, and has a wonderful gooey, fudge texture! It’s the perfect fudge recipe that is allergy-friendly and uses simple, wholesome ingredients. Whether you enjoy a bar when its warm and fresh from the oven, or whether you exercise self-control and wait to enjoy a frozen fudge bar, I think you will quickly be hooked on this addictive fudgy snack or dessert! There’s a reason why this recipe has been passed down in my family for generations!

Baking like a modern pioneer is fun, easy, and a sustainable way to feed your family and live like a modern pioneer. Join our modern pioneer newsletter community and get delicious, healthy recipes and exclusive tips for baking like the pioneers once did!