I don’t post dessert recipes very often for fear that someone will spy a cookie recipe on my weight loss blog, decide those cookies are the solution to their weight loss troubles, and commence to eat cookies every day for three months. (In case you think I’m being silly, it’s not an irrational fear. You’d be surprised at the stories I hear.)
Kale Brownies = Salad?
Eating more desserts because we found a “healthy” one … well, let’s just say no matter how much raw kale I blend up and hide in those chocolate chip cookies, they’re still not a salad, and I don’t get to put a sticker on my “5-A-DAY” sticker chart.
A Healthier Dessert Recipe
That said, the holidays are upon us, and we know there will be desserts coming at us from every direction, so why not make those holiday desserts as healthy as possible?
Replacing white sugar with raw sugar, using coconut milk instead of cream, and subbing carob for chocolate means that this fudge is a much better option than the dessert we were already going to eat anyway.
Why Carob?
Despite what you hear from the media, chocolate is not a health food and contains many harmful chemicals (including phenylethylamine, theophylline, theobromine, and caffeine) that have been shown to alter cerebral blood flow; stress the kidneys, the adrenals, and the liver; contribute to lower bone density; cause a loss of vitamin B and vitamin C in the body; increase the risk of diabetes; aggravate PMS; cause migraines and mood swings; and contribute to weight gain.
For more information on the negative health effects of chocolate, check out this post I wrote about the many benefits of replacing chocolate with carob.
Where Can I Buy Good Carob?
There’s good-tasting carob and then there’s not so good-tasting carob. Here is where you can get the best carob.
Why Teeccino Herbal Coffee?
Studies show that the use of caffeine contributes to digestive problems, inhibits detoxification, increases intensity of cravings, and contributes to chronic fatigue syndrome. This drug is also associated with high cholesterol levels, increase risk of peptic ulcers, and depression.
Here’s where I buy my Teeccino.
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More Carob Recipes
Would you like more carob recipes? Here are some of my favorites:
Teeccino herbal coffee is a naturally caffeine-free beverage made from healthy ingredients like almonds, barley, chicory, and dates. If you want a gluten-free herbal coffee, I suggest Teeccino Caramel Nut.
Easy Peanut Butter Carob Fudge
Prep
Total
Yield 12 squares
Gluten-free, oil-free, dairy-free, vegan fudge.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw sugar
- 2/3 cup canned coconut milk - See note #1
- 1 teaspoon Teeccino Vanilla Nut Chicory Herbal Coffee - optional, but adds so nicely to the flavor, it’s worth ordering it! See more about Herbal Coffee below.
- 1 cup natural (no sugar-, no oil-added) peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup roasted carob powder - See note #2
Instructions
- Place sugar, coconut milk, and herbal coffee in a saucepan and whisk together.
- Bring to boil over medium-high heat stirring constantly (about 1 to 2 minutes).
- Cook at a full boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
- Stir in carob powder.
- Transfer mixture to an 8-inch x 4-inch dish. I use a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper to make it easy to remove the fudge.
- Chill before serving.
Notes
1. Coconut milk consistencies vary. Be sure to either use thick coconut milk or allow your coconut milk to separate in the can and then drain off the excess liquid. Otherwise you'll end up with very soft fudge that doesn't set up well.
2. If your carob is lumpy, be sure to sift it or blend it before beginning recipe.
Courses Dessert
I made it. Absolutely delicious. Thank you!
Hi Jennifer,
I purchased some sodium free Herbamare by Vogel. The first ingredient is Potassium Chloride. I am not sure if this is something good to use or not. Isn’t too much Potassium dangerous?
Thanks for your help!
Ann
PS – We love your recipes!
Hi Ann,
I’ve never used the sodium-free Herbamare. I always buy the Original Herbamare. It doesn’t contain any potassium chloride and the ingredients are simply sea salt, dried vegetables, and dried herbs.
As far as I understand, potassium chloride is generally considered safe; however, it can be dangerous if used in large quantities or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, or adrenal problems.
Maybe you could get a container of the regular Herbamare and mix it the the low-sodium until it’s gone if you are concerned about it but don’t want it to go to waste.
I hope this helps.
Jennifer
P.S. I’m so glad you are enjoying my recipes! 🙂 Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
Hi! Could I use almond butter instead of peanut putter? I’m thinking of the Meridian brand one. Thanks!
Hi Pam,
I tested it with almond butter, and, while I didn’t think it was quite as good, it worked fine. Just be sure that your almond butter is not too thin. A few brands are so thin that I don’t think the fudge would set up as well.
I hope you enjoy!
Jennifer
We really love this recipe!
I have found that a hand blender works well, it is not like a mass potatoes mixer, it is like a hand held straight blender with a mixer blade on the end
Hey Nalani! That’s a great idea! Thanks for the tip.
I have Carob powder but it is not roasted. Will this make a big difference in taste?
Hi Laura,
I definitely prefer the roasted carob powder in this recipe, but I think the raw would taste fine.
Hi Jennifer! I’m excited to try this recipe but wonder if you mean a tspn of the coffee mix or a tspn of the brewed coffee?
Hi Ivee. It’s a teaspoon of the dry mix. Sorry for the lack of clarity.
I hope you enjoy!
Jennifer
OK, i’ve made this twice. While it’s delicious, it does not solidify. It comes out as carob/peanut-butter pudding. What’s the solution to make it hard? Maybe powdered sugar?
Hi Jack,
Sorry it didn’t set up for you like it should
There are 3 keys to getting a good consistency with this fudge:
1. Use a good peanut butter – not the runny kind.
2. Use thick coconut milk or allow your coconut milk to separate in the can and then drain off the excess liquid.
3. Bring the sugar and coconut milk to a full rolling boil and allow it to boil for 2 minutes. When sugar is boiled and then cooled it becomes viscous – which helps the fudge to be thick.
If you make sure you’re doing these 3 things and following the recipe, you should end up with nice, firm fudge.
Hope that helps!
Jennifer
Can you use a instant coffee mix link inka or I think it’s called roma . Plain chicory and barley
You can, but it won’t add the luscious flavor that the Teeccino adds.