Dairy-free Peanut Butter Fudge
gluten-free | grain-free | dairy-free | tree nut free | egg free
by Alexa Lehr | The Pioneer Chicks | June 20, 2024
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Smooth, cold, creamy, and rich with peanut butter flavor… that sounds like the perfect modern pioneer summer dessert to me! This dairy-free peanut butter fudge is super easy to make, is no-bake, and allergy-friendly! I love whipping up a batch of this fudge and keeping a stash in the freezer for whenever I need to satisfy my peanut butter craving, or when I need a cold treat on a summer day, or whenever I want something sweet… you get the idea. While not like your traditional fudge, which is loaded with sugar and dairy, this fudge is both and healthy and addicting!

Modern Pioneer Recipe

While fudge is most certainly a traditional recipe, it does not qualify as a pioneer recipe. Instead, this dairy-free peanut butter fudge is a heritage modern pioneer recipe! In my research, I did come across some old recipes made by the early pioneers for chocolate caramels and ice cream. So apparently the early pioneers did like to whip up some sweets ever so often!

However, fudge didn’t come around until later in the 19th century and it was more of a sweet treat made in established communities. Fudge did originate in America and became popular because of the simple ingredients and because it could easily be made at home.

Since I am a pure Michigander, it wouldn’t be right for me to discuss fudge without mentioning Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island become known for its fudge factories in the 1880’s and has been a popular place for tourists to stop and enjoy some fudge ever since. However, I don’t go to Mackinac Island for the fudge. I go for the horses! (just as a side note there)

Fudge is a traditional American recipe, and I wanted to keep this peanut butter fudge true to its roots, with a slight twist. It had to be allergy-friendly and on the healthier side. So I made this peanut butter fudge…

• dairy-free
• tree nut free
• egg free
• refined sugar free
• corn free
• gluten-free
• grain-free

Fudge Flavors: Adding Variety to the Recipe

Traditionally, you often think of chocolate fudge when this dessert is mentioned. However, one visit to Mackinac Island would be all that’s needed to convince you that there are way more flavors than just chocolate fudge out there!

Being more of a peanut butter fan rather than a chocolate fan myself, I of course gravitated towards making a peanut butter fudge recipe. Don’t get me wrong, I did try making a chocolate fudge for Christmas one year. It tasted delicious but was way too soft. So I’ll have to go back to the drawing board for that one. This peanut butter fudge was a little easier to create.

Aside from peanut butter and chocolate fudge, some other popular fudge flavors include mint, strawberry, caramel sea salt, mocha, and maple. There is also the addition of other elements that can be added to fudge including peanuts, tree nuts, and fruit.

With this dairy-free peanut butter fudge recipe, there are a couple variations that you can make. Here are some ideas!

• chocolate peanut butter– top the fudge with some melted chocolate
• straight peanut butter– leave out the mini chocolate chips
• caramel swirl– swirl some homemade caramel on top of the fudge before putting it in the freezer to harden
• double peanut– sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top of the fudge before putting the fudge in the freezer
• peanut butter banana– add one ripe, mashed banana to the fudge recipe and beat it in thoroughly

How to Make Healthy Fudge

The problem with making traditional fudge allergy-friendly is the fact that the main ingredients are milk, butter, and sugar. Emphasis on the sugar part. So, to make an allergy-friendly fudge recipe, I had to take some creative liberties. While this peanut butter fudge may not contain the traditional ingredients, it still turns out like traditional fudge in taste and texture, and that’s what we are going for!

For this fudge, I use both liquid and granulated sugar. Maple syrup is my liquid sweetener and it helps sweeten the fudge and give it a smooth, creamy texture. The coconut sugar is included to add a hint of caramel flavor and provide a more strong sweet flavor.

The other thing that is different about this fudge recipe is the fact that it contains arrowroot flour. The flour helps the fudge hold its shape without having to heat the fudge in a saucepan. I found that adding the flour gave the fudge recipe more predictability and prevented the fudge from turning into a melted mess when taken from the freezer. Honestly, you can’t even tell there is flour in this fudge!

Lastly, when buying peanut butter, make sure you choose peanut butter that doesn’t contain added sugar and is ideally made with just peanuts, peanut oil, and salt (if you buy the salted varieties). Avoid peanut butters (and any nut butters) that contain palm oil or canola oil.

Despite being different, this peanut butter fudge still has all the important fudge-like qualities, it’s rich, creamy, smooth, and sweet!

Summer Recipe Ideas

As a homesteader, I try to cook and bake seasonally. During the summer, that means using in-season ingredients and balancing my kitchen-time with my outside time. When I make recipes for myself and my family, I often choose simple recipes during the summer months. I also like to try and do no-bake recipes to save on electricity and help keep the house cool. Besides, who wants to run the oven when it’s hot and humid out?

Obviously, using the stove-top or the oven for some recipes is essential, even during the summer months. But for this recipe, it’s not! Fudge is a great no-bake sweet summer dessert! When I have to take a break from making my favorite cookies during the summer months, then I resort to this peanut butter recipe back-up to get my peanut butter fix in.

I have also created some other simple, easy summer recipes that you might want to check out:

• no-bake trail mix granola bars
• peanut butter protein bars
• dairy-free brownie ice cream pie
• dairy-free ice cream cookie sandwiches
• no-bake moose bars

Fudge Recipe Tips

This peanut butter freezer fudge is a super easy dessert to make! You don’t have to heat anything up to a certain temperature, it uses minimal ingredients, and it’s a one bowl recipe. Minimal mess means minimal clean-up, which is always a good thing for summer recipes. Here are a few recipe tips to ensure your fudge turns out perfect:

• Dairy-free– You can use coconut oil, butter, or any dairy-free butter substitute in this recipe as long as it is partially softened and not completely melted.
• Peanut Alternatives– If you want to make this fudge peanut free, try using almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. It will change the taste though!
• Flour Substitues– You can use tapioca flour instead of the arrowroot flour, however, I wouldn’t recommend any other flour substitutes in order to keep the fudge light and smooth.
• Butter Tip– If using butter, I melt my butter about 3/4 of the way so that it is easy to beat into the peanut butter.
• Maple Syrup Tip– Add the maple syrup after the coconut sugar, peanut butter, and coconut oil have been combined. Maple syrup that has been stored in the fridge will harden your coconut oil if it is added too soon.
• Room Temperature Ingredients– Using room temperature peanut butter also works best since it won’t harden the coconut oil and it will incorporate into the other ingredients smoother.
• Storing– This fudge stores the best in the freezer. If kept in the fridge, it will hold its shape but will be soft. It can be kept at room temperature for a limited period of time, but it will be very soft!

This dairy-free peanut butter fudge has a smooth, creamy texture and the most amazing bold peanut butter flavor! I love the occasional chocolate chip that I get with each bite and these sweet little morsels are just what I need to satisfy my peanut butter sweet tooth!

Where to Find the Ingredients

• Organic peanut butter- I like to buy Aldi or Field Day brand organic peanut butter
• Nutiva coconut oil
• Pure maple syrup
• Madhava coconut sugar
• Bob’s Red Mill arrowroot flour
• Bob’s Red Mill tapioca flour
• Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips
• Supplies: 8×8″ baking pan, parchment paper, hand held beaters

This dairy-free peanut butter fudge is the perfect traditional modern pioneer recipe that will take you back to your roots! You will quickly realize why it became so popular because of how easy the recipe is to make, the minimal ingredients that it uses, and the amazing taste. If the sweet, smooth, and creamy texture doesn’t win you over, then the bold, rich peanut butter flavor certainly will! If you happen to try different variations, like peanut butter banana or double peanut, then let me know how you liked it!

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