It’s very quick and easy to mix up a batch of this keto chocolate almond ‘fudge’. It’s perfect as a quick little snack or as something sweet to have with your tea. This fudge uses my favorite method of ‘mix the wet ingredients, mix the dry ingredients, mix them all together.’
What is keto fudge?
A keto or ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate diet that contains lots of healthy fats and protein. The idea is to remove carbohydrates as a source of fuel so your body can burn fat more effectively.
This fudge contains minimal carbohydrates (the nut butter you use will affect this depending on any added sugars, etc.) making it suitable for a ketogenic diet.
While there is some debate on the suitability of a keto diet for PCOS, with many arguing that it is not sustainable long term, there is no doubt that reducing sugar intake overall can benefit PCOS.
Tips for Making Keto Almond Fudge
Sift the Almond Flour
Sift the almond flour if it has any lumps in it. I store my almond flour in the freezer to stop the fats in it from going bad. This has the side effect of making it clump together together though. Easily fixed with a quick sift!
Research Your Sweetener
Many sugar-free sweeteners are made with erythritol which is a sugar alcohol. It tastes sweet but actually has no effect on glucose or insulin levels. PCOS sufferers benefit from the lowest level of sugar possible.
This sounds great on paper but some people experience bloating and upset stomachs. Listen to your body to see which sweetener is a good fit for you. I used Truvia to make the fudge that’s pictured.
Notes on Ingredients
Almond Flour
Almond flour is full of healthy fats and is naturally gluten-free. It can also help stabilize blood sugar and it can keep you feeling fuller for longer. However, it is on the pricey side. It can be a good idea to buy in bulk or online to cut costs.
Almond flour should be kept in the freezer to keep it as fresh as possible. If you have a cool, dry place to keep it that works too. If you do keep it in the freezer, keep in mind that it will probably clump together.
For this recipe, it is best to use almond flour not almond meal. Almond meal is coarser. To give the fudge as smooth a texture as possible, the finer ground the almonds the better.
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is so healthy! Stick with the unsweetened kind and you’re good to go. It’s anti-inflammatory and contains a ton of antioxidants. What’s not to love? Chocolate really is the secret to happiness.
Granulated Sweetener
There are several options to choose for granulated sweeteners. Truvia and Lakanto work well. However, as mentioned above, some people experience digestive discomfort when they eat sugar alcohols. Listen to your body and if it doesn’t agree with you then avoid it.
If you’re still craving something sweet consider making Apple Cinnamon Muffins which are naturally sweetened with apple and honey.
Nut Butter
This recipe can be made using any nut butter. I used almond butter because I was using almond flour and whole almonds to decorate but you can use whatever you have.
Check the ingredients of your nut butter. Some nut butters have added sugar and use inflammatory oils such as canola or soybean oil.
Coconut Oil/Butter
I highly recommend 100% grass-fed butter. Cows did not evolve eating corn so it’s a no-brainer that butter from cows who eat what nature intended has a higher nutritional value. Why am I recommending butter though if dairy is inflammatory and should be avoided on a PCOS diet? Butter is high in fatty acids which can aid weight loss.
If you’d rather completely avoid dairy, you can replace the butter with coconut oil.
Vanilla Extract
Look for vanilla extract and not vanilla essence. Extract is made by soaking the vanilla beans in alcohol, whereas vanilla essence is usually a synthetic flavoring. It’s better to keep things as natural as possible.
Whole Almonds
These are completely optional but they look so pretty on top of each square! I used raw almonds but you can use roasted if that’s what you have. Be careful that some almonds are roasted in oils like canola and soy which are inflammatory and do not help the PCOS cause.
Almonds are generally just a great snack to have around. They are easy so transport and have no added sugar.
Storing Keto Chocolate Almond Fudge
This chocolate almond fudge keeps well in the fridge for a week. I don’t recommend keeping it in the freezer. Thawing it out would make the butter/coconut oil melt and it wouldn’t hold its shape.
Simple Keto Chocolate Almond Fudge
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Loaf pan
- Wooden spoon
- Greaseproof paper
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup almond flour (not almond meal)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- ¼ cup granulated sweetener (see notes)
- 1 tbsp nut butter of choice (I used almond)
- 4 tbsp coconut oil/butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 16 whole almonds optional
Instructions
- Line a loaf pan with greaseproof paper.
- Sift together the cocoa powder and sweetener into a mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In another bowl, melt the coconut oil/butter. Then add the nut butter and vanilla extract. Stir all the ingredients until combined.
- Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix together. The mixture should be easy to form into balls.
- Place the mixture in the lined loaf pan. You can press the mixture evenly to all corners of the pan to make thin pieces, or fold it back on itself to make higher pieces. Press whole almonds into the fudge if using.
- Cover with more greaseproof paper and allow to set in the fridge for an hour. Remove and cut into pieces.
- Fudge should be stored in the fridge for up to a week (if it lasts that long!)
