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 to Get Carob?
Don’t have any carob on hand? Order it from Amazon and it can be on your doorstep in two days.
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 (You can use the remainder of the can in this Strawberry Lime Smoothie )
- 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 (If your carob is lumpy, be sure to sift it or blend it before beginning recipe.)
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 one minute and 30 seconds, 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.
More Carob Recipes
Would you like more carob recipes? Here are some of my favorites:
Why 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.
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.
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.