Mom’s Health Fudge

My Mom’s Health Fudge is a tried and true family recipe. Can fudge really be healthy? This easy, no bake fudge is packed with nutritious, all-natural ingredients like toasted nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate.

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A plate of mom's health fudge.

I like to make these no bake fudge bars around the holidays for several reasons. One – they are a healthier fudge option than the white sugar and sweetened condensed milk variety. Two – I don’t physically have my mom with me anymore, and her recipes are a way to connect with some wonderful memories.

Trigger warning! Hit the “Jump to Recipe” tab at the top now if you aren’t up for an emotional blurb.

Overhead image of a plate of mom's health fudge.

The History of Mom’s Health Fudge

I know some readers come strictly for recipes, and I totally understand that. But respectfully, some like to know a bit about the human behind the screen, and sometimes with recipes like this one, I have to honour where they came from.

Also, I have recently updated the photos for this post, which I originally published in 2014. Back then, blogs were allll about personal stories. It’s funny how things change!

Anyway, here is what my musings were at Christmastime in 2014:

With my sweet tooth in the Christmas spirit, big time, I’ve been seeking out healthier options that still feel indulgent. Ones that still taste like Christmas, you know?

Enter this ‘Health Fudge”. Actually, we call it Mom’s Health Fudge.

My brother sent me a true piece of our family history a few months back. My Mom’s spiral cooking notebook. It’s filled with clippings from newspapers, recipe cards from church friends, and, most importantly, handwritten recipes by my Mom and Grandma.

a hand holding a homemade recipe book

As a chubby kid who spent a big chunk of her childhood in the kitchen with my mom, my little life revolved around this book. I always pointed out one recipe or another that I wanted my Mom to make or, when I was old enough, I would make myself.

Mostly, I wanted cookies. 😉

Not to get all serious and sad on you, but today would have been my Mom’s birthday. We lost her to cancer when I was twelve, but every December 19th, I still silently pay my tributes. Christmas was never really the same after she passed away. I try not to dwell on it and instead focus on all of my wonderful blessings, but I still miss her and remember how much effort she would put into our family Christmas dinners.

It shows you the power of creating memories and how food can play such a role. The holidays can seem like it’s all commercial, yet it was the wonderful turkey dinner with stuffing and gravy and my Mom’s apple pie that I remember much more than the gifts under the tree.

So this year, in her honour, I’m starting my own tradition. Food-related, of course. This was one of the few healthy dessert recipes (which, let’s face it, wasn’t common in the ’70s-’80s) I found taped onto the pages of my Mom’s book. I adapted it to what I had on hand.

a page of a recipe book with a printed recipe taped in it

*Note the recipe card on the left. It’s for Flo’s Balls. Had to.

Let’s get onto making the fudge.

Ingredients

Find the complete ingredient list, with measurements, in the recipe card below.

  • sunflower seed butter
  • peanut butter
  • honey
  • cacao powder – you could also substitute carob or cocoa powder
  • sesame seeds
  • chia seeds
  • unsweetened shredded coconut
  • nuts – we use pecans and walnuts – toasted is best!
  • seeds – we like chia seeds and sesame seeds
  • dark chocolate chips
Our Pick
Sunflower Butter

Vegetarian, vegan, certified gluten-free, Non-GMO Project verified.

See it on Amazon

Equipment

  • Saucepan – A medium-sized pot is perfect.
  • Small Spatula – These colorful little spatulas are one of favorite kitchen tools for stirring and scraping down the sides.
  • Loaf Pan – We use a standard-size loaf pan for this recipe.
  • Parchment Paper – A must for easy cleanup. We recommend using unbleached parchment paper.
Our Pick
Wood Handled Mini Spatulas
  • Cute colors.
  • Useful and easy to clean.
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Instructions

Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.

Step 1

First, combine the sunflower seed butter and peanut butter in the saucepan.

Stir over low heat until smooth.

A spatula stirring a mixture in a saucepan.

Step 2

Then, add in the cacao and honey (maple syrup for vegan) for some beautiful natural sweetness.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir everything really well.

A spatula stirring a mixture in a saucepan.

Step 3

Next, add the chia seeds. We LOVE chia seeds. They give such a great snap to no bake treats.

Then, add the rest of the nuts and seeds and stir it all together really well.

A chocolate mixture in a saucepan.

Step 4

Next, press the mixture firmly into the lined loaf pan.

Dot a handful of chocolate chips on top.

A mixture pressed into a loaf pan.

Step 5

Finally, sprinkle chopped nuts onto the top for a beautiful presentation.

Pop the loaf pan in the fridge to chill before slicing into bars.

A mixture pressed into a loaf pan.

Expert tip! Use clips to keep the parchment paper in the loaf pan from sliding around. Clamping the small clip over the parchment paper that overhangs the sides, prevents it from moving while you press the mixture in firmly.

Storage Tips

To Store: Store this fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or refrigerated for up to two weeks.

To Freeze: Freeze this recipe in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to three months.

A plate of mom's health fudge.

We totally love and absolutely devour these bites of goodness and we think you should too. My Mom would like that. She had a great love of food. Especially the sweet, chocolaty things.

Maybe this Health Fudge recipe will become a tradition in your house. Not just for the holidays either.

This healthy option can be enjoyed year round.

Overhead image of a plate of mom's health fudge.

More Healthy Fudge Recipes

Slices of protein fudge on a counter.

Protein Fudge

a stack of pieces of coconut oil fudge.

Coconut Oil Fudge

salted tahini fudge squares on a plate.

Salted Maple Walnut Tahini Fudge

A container of freezer fudge.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Freezer Fudge

**This recipe was originally posted on December 19, 2014, updated on December 24, 2020, and republished on December 19, 2023, with updated recipes, writing, and photos.**

If you’ve tried our Mom’s Health Fudge latte, please rate the recipe and let us know how it turned out by leaving a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!

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A plate of mom's health fudge.

Mom’s Health Fudge

Sharon Rhodes
My Mom’s Health Fudge is a tried and true family recipe. Can fudge really be healthy? This easy, no bake fudge is packed with nutritious, all-natural ingredients like toasted nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill 2 hours
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 137 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt together the sunflower seed butter, peanut butter, and honey.
  • When the mixture is blended together, remove the pan from heat, stir in the cacao powder, and mix well.
  • Stir in the rest of the ingredients and mix well again.
  • Press into a parchment-lined loaf pan and top with the extra chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
  • Refrigerate for about 2 hours then, slice it into squares.

Video

Notes

Storage Tips

To Store: Store this fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or refrigerated for up to two weeks.
To Freeze: Freeze this recipe in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to three months.

Nutrition

Calories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 5mgPotassium: 113mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 1mg
Keyword healthy fudge recipe, Mom’s Health Fudge
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14 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This looks even more delicious than you described it last week!

    Family recipes are such a great way to remember family. Whenever I make my Nana’s shortbread cookies, I always think about her and what would say to her if she were still here.

    1. So many of my memories just flood back whenever I eat certain things. I made a different fudge to sent back to my siblings (full of sugar, butter & condensed milk) and I swear it smelled like my childhood when I stirred it. 🙂

    1. 5 stars
      That’s the best compliment! I love when people are surprised at the health factor. 🙂 Thanks so much Kelley. Have a wonderful holiday season.

  2. 5 stars
    Sharon, I came across your website from another website that referenced your dried cranberries. I made those yesterday, along with this fudge and they are both wonderful! I just tasted the fudge and that is a keeper. I love the ingredient list of very healthy foods, for a snack! I am sending this to good friends who eat healthy. I am also sending the recipe and your website. Thank you.

    1. Hi Patty! Thank you so much. Nice comments are always very appreciated. 🙂 And I can’t agree with you more about this fudge. An absolute keeper! I hope you friends love it too. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂 Have a wonderful holiday season!!

  3. 5 stars
    Thank goodness for mom’s recipes! The book looks pretty amazing, and you’re lucky to have something like that which you can cherish from family generations, and of course pass down to your kids. 😉 The fudge does look amazing, but that’s nothing new. 😉

    1. I love this cookbook! There are so many recipes for me to ‘healthify’. And I love seeing the handwriting. It’s like I hear their voices. Not in a crazy way though … 😉

  4. 5 stars
    This fudge looks heavenly. Food and recipes can maintain such a powerful connection between us and our loved ones. It’s wonderful that you have the recipe book from your mom and grandmother – creating their recipes is one of many ways to keep the memories alive.

  5. 5 stars
    The fudge looks beautiful Sharon! In honour of your mom’s birthday Vanessa and I will make some today after work. A lovely post for Angela!

  6. This fudge was always one of my favorites. I had a feeling this recipe might make it onto your blog sooner or later! Happy birthday mom. Best wishes Sharon! Hope to see you again before too long.

    1. This fudge is awesome. In my opinion it’s better with cocoa than carob.
      Best to you too Tim!! Thanks so much for the cookbook. I have it on my desk right now and am using it as a mouse pad. There are a few more recipes I’m going to try out.

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