Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (2024)

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  • Fudge

By

Jolinda Hackett

Jolinda Hackett

Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 08/27/21

Tested by

Diana Andrews

Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (1)

Tested byDiana Andrews

Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for the Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer and product tester at Food Network.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Chill Time: 2 hrs

Total: 2 hrs 30 mins

Servings: 24 servings

Yield: 24 pieces

73 ratings

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Homemade dairy-free andvegan fudge is so delicious, not to mention easy to make. There's a secret that not too many people know about making homemade vegan fudge: It's actually quite a bit easier to make vegan fudge than it is to make regular fudge. This is because there are fewer variables in making this dairy-free candy, which means that there are fewer opportunities for something to go wrong. And that means that this simple vegan fudge, made from just five simple ingredients, is just about foolproof.

This chocolate fudge may bedeceptively simple, but the result is absolutely delicious. Even though it's a vegan recipe, that doesn't mean it's healthy. It is fudge, after all, and the main ingredients are margarine, sugar, and chocolate. This fudge recipe is also completely gluten free. The walnuts are optional and can be swapped for pecans or almonds.

This homemade vegan chocolate fudge recipe is reprinted with permission from "The Compassionate Cook Cookbook."

Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (2)

"You won't miss the dairy in these delicious bite-sized pieces of vegan fudge. Extremely easy to make and tastes great! Freeze them for more extended storage, but more than likely, once you taste them, they won't be around for long." —Diana Andrews

Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (3)

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray, for greasing

  • 6 tablespoons vegan baking sticks, such as Earth Vegan Balance Buttery Sticks for baking

  • 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1 pinch table salt

  • 1/4 cup soy milk, or another vegan non-dairy milk substitute

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, or any nuts, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (4)

  2. Lightly spray the pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment or foil, leaving about a 2-inch overhang on the long sides of the pan. Lightly spray the parchment or foil with cooking spray. Set aside.

    Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (5)

  3. Place the veganbaking sticks, the sugar, cocoa, vanilla, salt, and soy milk in a heatproof mixing bowl or the upper part of a double boiler. Place the bowl over simmering water and stir frequently with a silicone spatula, scraping down the bowl occasionally until the vegan baking sticks are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.

    Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (6)

  4. Add the chopped nuts if you're using them, gently folding them into the mixture just until well combined.

    Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (7)

  5. Pour the mixture quickly into the prepared loaf pan.

    Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (8)

  6. Place your vegan fudge in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled. Be patient at this step, and plan at least 2 hours for your fudge to fully chill and set.

    Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (9)

  7. Once your fudge is firm, remove from the refrigerator. Using the parchment or foil as handles, gently pull the fudge up and out of the pan. Discard the liner and cut into 1-inch bite-sized squares. For a cleaner slice, you can also place your fudge in the freezer for about 5 to 10minutes just before slicing.

    Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (10)

Tips

  • We recommend using vegan butter in stick form. Try a brand like Earth Balance for this recipe.
  • The mixture can also be melted in the microwave instead of using a double boiler. Stir every 30 seconds and only microwave the mixture until everything is melted.

Recipe Variation

  • Omit or change up the walnuts to another type of chopped nut such as pecan, almond, or whatever nut you desire.
  • Add vegan chocolate chips for an even more decadent fudge.

How to Store

  • Store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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  • Fudge
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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
71Calories
0g Fat
17g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories71
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 7mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 17g6%
Dietary Fiber 0g1%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 3mg0%
Iron 1mg3%
Potassium 4mg0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • Soy
  • vegan fudge
  • dairy free fudge
  • dessert

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Easy Dairy-Free and Vegan Fudge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for whole milk in fudge? ›

Heavy cream is a great substitute for milk in a baking recipe, but it does need to be diluted slightly. Because heavy cream boasts a fat content of 36% to 40%, using a half cup of heavy cream mixed with a half cup of water will be your best bet for replacing one cup of milk.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

Can you get dairy free condensed milk? ›

Carnation Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative 370g Tin

Approved by the Vegan Society, our Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative can make all your favourite Carnation® recipes vegan, including Banoffee Pie, Fudge, Cheesecake, Millionaire's Shortbread and so much more.

What should you not do when making fudge? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.

How do I substitute non-dairy milk? ›

Coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk, which can be chilled and whipped to create a whipped cream-like consistency. Almond, soy, or oat milk can be used as a substitute for regular milk in baking recipes. Cashew cream can be made by blending soaked cashews with water, it has a creamy texture and a mild flavor.

What can I use if I don't have milk? ›

Milk in most recipes hydrates the dry ingredients and adds flavor, and there are plenty of substitutes that can do just that without compromising the final result.
  • Half and half. ...
  • Heavy cream. ...
  • Nondairy milks, like soy and almond. ...
  • Sour cream. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Evaporated milk. ...
  • Canned coconut milk. ...
  • Water.
Dec 3, 2021

What is a vegan substitute for condensed milk? ›

It's actually pretty simple. Take a can of full-fat coconut milk and some sugar (or a vegan sweetener of your choice). Simmer it down until it thickens up, and voila, vegan condensed milk. And if it's a dulce de leche flavor you're after, just keep that simmer going until the mix caramelizes.

What is the vegan equivalent of condensed milk? ›

Coconut milk powder also works but can result in a much thinner consistency, though that's still fine for use in recipes. If you have any difficulty finding soy milk powder locally (try health food stores) then you can get it online. Coconut oil – helps with the texture of this condensed milk.

What's a vegan substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›

Many vegan bakers agree that the easiest and tastiest dairy-free alternative to condensed milk is made with coconut milk. Since thickness is part of what you're looking for, it's helpful that full-fat coconut milk is already quite dense.

Why is fudge so hard to make? ›

Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft. A temperature of 112°C to 114°C (234°F to 237°F) must be maintained. This will ensure the fudge has the ideal concentration of water and sugar. Fudge is difficult to make.

Why can't you make fudge when it's raining? ›

Cooking in High Humidity Can Cause Problems

Humidity can cause fudge to boil over in the pan or stay soft when set, so try to avoid working on humid days if at all possible.

What happens if you don't stir fudge? ›

By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals. Stirring would help sucrose molecules "find" one another and start forming crystals. Stirring also introduces air, dust, and small dried bits from the walls of the saucepan—all potential seeds for crystal formation.

Can you use 2% milk for fudge? ›

Busy parent chefs of the world, this recipe solves all those problems. It took a lot of trial-and-error to perfect but it's simple, it uses stuff you probably already have, and it produces a flakey-melty delectable consistency every single time. Finally, a 2% milk fudge that you can whip up without the hassle.

What can I mix to make whole milk? ›

You can simply add half and half to your skim milk, about 1 tablespoon (half ounce) per cup of 1% milk to make a new cup of whole milk (slightly more than a cup). Save this answer. Whole milk is 4% fat, so you need to increase your fat by 3%.

Can I substitute heavy cream for milk in fudge? ›

heavy cream and half and half are good substitutions for whole milk, if necessary.

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