This brownie batter freezer fudge is a super wholesome, plant-based choice for freezer chocolate fudge.
This recipe started out as Oh She Glows’s raw brownie recipe, which I made to bring to a dinner and enjoyed more than I could have imagined. But I wanted to make a few tweaks to make it just right for my own purposes.
By the time I was done I had something with a texture more like fudge and with a flavor that really reminds me of brownie batter. If you please, you can call it chocolate walnut fudge instead. I just like what ‘brownie batter’ evokes!
Plus, despite all of that decadent language, this fudge is made with whole foods and really nutrient dense. For a chocolatey flavor that’s more over-the-top I recommend some add-ins that move just a little bit away from the whole foods paradigm, but it’s good either way and you can customize it to your liking!
I like to add a bunch of cocoa nibs for texture, but I get those aren’t for everyone… make this brownie batter vegan freezer fudge your own!
What is freezer fudge?
Freezer fudge is what it sounds like – a fudge-like confection that is stored in the freezer for the best texture. Usually freezer fudge is a little healthier than standard room-temperature fudge but thus needs cold temperatures to maintain its texture and shape without melting. It also lasts longer because it’s frozen!
When the going gets tough, it’s really rad to have a supply of kinda-healthy chocolate fudge in the freezer. It’s the little things in life! And if you’re less of a chocolate gal (or gent), give my secretly healthy vegan cookie dough bites a try! They have a surprising secret ingredient that adds nutrition and texture.
The ingredients and method for this dairy-free chocolate freezer fudge are pretty simple: pulverize your walnuts and hemp seeds, add caramel-y sweet dates, and blend until smooth.
Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and blend again to create a rich chocolatey fudge mixture – then spread it into a lined baking dish and stick it into the freezer to set. No cooking needed, unless you choose to add the optional melted chocolate chips.
I balked a little bit at the price of hemp hearts and walnuts when I was first making this but I’ve really found that a little goes a long way. Because of all the good things packed into the fudge a small square is really satisfying.
I hope you enjoy this vegan brownie batter freezer fudge, whether you make the raw and sugar-free version or the more chocolatey deluxe version! If you try it, let me know in the comments section below and tag your photo on Instagram with @yupitsvegan. Bon appetit!
Brownie Batter Freezer Fudge (raw and sugar-free options)
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups toasted walnuts (or raw walnuts to keep this dish raw)
- 1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds
- 1 and 1/2 cups pitted dates (about 275 grams), soaked in hot water and drained well (I used Deglet Noor dates)
- 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp cocoa powder (raw to keep this dish raw)
- 1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (optional, taste; omit to keep sugar-free)
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (omit to keep raw or sugar-free)
- 1 tbsp plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk (omit if omitting the chocolate chips)
- 3 tbsp cacao nibs (optional)
Instructions
- If you haven't already, soak the pitted dates, either in hot water for 10+ minutes or overnight in water in the fridge.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, pulse the walnuts into a very fine crumb, scraping down the sides partway through if needed.
- Add the hemp seeds and dates, processing until the mixture is as smooth as you can get it. The mixture will be very sticky and you will need to stop several times to spread it out again and scrape down the sides.
- Add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt to the food processor. Use your spatula to mix the cocoa powder into the date mixture a little bit so that it doesn't fly everywhere when you run the processor again. Blend until well combined. Add maple syrup as desired to adjust the sweetness level.
- If using, melt the chocolate chips and nondairy milk together over indirect heat, stirring constantly to incorporate them together. Pour the mixture into the food processor and add the cacao nibs if using. Pulse a few times to swirl in the chocolate.
- Transfer the mixture into the loaf pan and smooth it out as much as possible. It will be very sticky so it may be difficult to get it completely smooth.
- Freeze for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. The fudge should slice very easily straight from the freezer with a sharp knife, and tastes best when eaten cold.
- Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container.
Myra Bowman says
Will this recipe work if all the chocolate is left out? I like the sound of freezer fudge, (fudge being my favourite sweet) but I don’t like normal chocolate or the flavour of it.
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
I’d recommend this other recipe instead, leave out the chocolate chips – https://yupitsvegan.com/healthy-vegan-cookie-dough/
betsy says
This looks hugely yummy. But what are chocolate crisps? Googling yields all sorts of things. Are chocolate crisps e like the Enjoy Life non dairy chocolate thingies you’d put in chocolate chip cookies?
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
I’m not sure what you mean as I haven’t mentioned chocolate crisps anywhere in the recipe?
Tiasha says
Sounds wonderful! I would replace the maple syrup with date paste, and instead of cacao one could also use raw carob powder which makes things REALLY chocolate like. I absolutely love it. 🙂
chrysta@noshed says
Totally happens! Its tough to balance sometimes but just do what makes ya happy. That is what I always say! Plus now I have delicious fudge to make!
kate @ vegukate says
oh my word does this look good! I love the addition of hemp seeds for extra goodness too 🙂
Little Vegan Bear says
I definitely feel you on that one – I too have been busy with work and life and blogging has taken a back seat. Like you, I hope to find more time for it as my schedule settles a little. The fudge looks great, and timely too – my boyfriend was joking today that we haven’t had fudge in ages. Just what we need!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I hope work settles down for you soon. If your fortnightly posts bring recipes like this, though, I don’t think anyone will mind 😀 They look delicious!!