As I began my clean eating journey at the beginning of this year (you can read about it here), my biggest struggle was, and still is, sugar. I have an incredible sweet tooth. Whether it’s cookies, cakes, or ice cream, I absolutely love desserts. Valentine’s Day is a holiday that brings to mind roses, romance, and of course, chocolate. I’ve adapted with this recipe, with two topping variations, and absolutely love it. While it isn’t overly sweet, this clean candy made from cocoa, nuts, and dates, provides the flavor profile and texture of a classic fudge without all the guilt. This is also the perfect recipe to pass along to your cooking-challenged significant other. It’s made in 5 minutes and requires no cooking. Perfect for the man in your life to make for you.
Ingredients:
1 C walnuts
1/2 C raw cocoa
1/8 t kosher or sea salt
1 1/4 C Medjool dates pitted (about 12)
1/4 C raw almonds, unsalted and finely chopped
1 minneola tangelo
Cinnamon
1/4 C finely chopped raw chocolate
6 strawberries
3 strings of fresh mint
Directions:
Step 1: In a food processor, blend walnuts until they become a meal consistency.
Step 2: Add in cocoa and pulse a few times to mix through.
Step 3: Drop in dates one at a time. Once all dates are added the mixture should easily form together.
Step 4: Add almonds to the mixture.
Step 5: Take mixture and firmly press into a lined pan. A 9×9 pyrex dish works well. Try to make mixture as level as possible. It may not extend all the way to the edge of the pan. Place in freezer for 10 minutes to allow candy to set up.
Step 6: Remove from freezer and cut into bite-size squares with a sharp knife.
For a classic strawberry topping:
Take a strawberry and cut it in half. Using a knife, cut into the strawberry vertically in thin lines but start the cut a few inches from the top. Sprinkle the fudge bite with a bit of chopped raw chocolate. Place the strawberry and mint leaves on top.
For a chocolate orange topping:
Cut the minneola tangelo, removing seed and outer membrane of all of the slices, leaving only the flesh of the minneola. Cut each slice in half creating a bite-size piece. Sprinkle the fudge bite with a bit of chopped raw chocolate. Place the minneola and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Voila! You’re done and have over a dozen delicious fudge bites. Enjoy!!