Nothing beats the taste of rich, chocolaty fudge… and this keto fudge recipe makes it easy to enjoy during the holiday season — or anytime! Best of all, this sugar-free fudge with cocoa powder uses simple pantry ingredients. It’s the perfect marriage between my keto chocolate truffles and chocolate fat bombs. This easy keto fudge recipe is intended to be super quick with just a few ingredients. But if you’ve ever made fudge using condensed milk and like the creamy texture it imparts, you can easily swap this homemade sugar-free condensed milk in virtually any “regular” fudge recipe to make it keto-friendly! I have a recipe using it in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook and it’s my favorite of all in terms of texture and flavor, but the version below is great for a faster option that doesn’t require making condensed milk.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for sugar-free fudge, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Butter – I use a grass-fed one, but any unsalted variety will work. You can also use ghee or coconut oil to keep this keto fudge recipe dairy-free, but the flavor and texture will be a little different.Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – For perfectly sweet and soft fudge! I don’t recommend other sugar substitutes here, because anything with erythritol (which includes most brands of monk fruit and stevia) won’t dissolve well and leads to a gritty texture. Plain allulose is the only other one that might work, but most brands are too coarse — it might work to powder it in a food processor — and you’d have to use 33% more.Cocoa Powder – Find the best kind you can, since it creates the chocolate flavors in the fudge.Vanilla Extract – Use high-quality vanilla for best taste.Sea Salt – Balances the sweet flavor.Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips – While optional, they give the low carb fudge recipe a firmer texture, so I recommend adding them to make it easier to eat. You can use any flavor chocolate chips you prefer, just make sure they’re sugar-free.Coarse Sea Salt – Optional, for a stunning topping.
How To Make Sugar-Free Fudge
This section shows how to make keto fudge, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Sugar-Free Fudge Variations
Keto Peanut Butter Fudge – If you prefer peanut butter in your fudge, make this recipe instead!Keto Fudge With Condensed Milk – Want a classic fudge texture? You can get it with sugar-free sweetened condensed milk. The full recipe in The Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook explains how!Rocky Road – Add chopped nuts and keto marshmallows (cut into small pieces) on top of the fudge before it chills.Cookie Dough – Form small balls of keto cookie dough (with or without chocolate chips) and gently fold into the base before chilling.Peppermint – Replace vanilla extract with peppermint extract.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep fudge in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Avoid keeping this cocoa powder fudge recipe at room temperature for too long, since it can melt easily.Freeze: Store individual cubes in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Enjoy right out of the freezer, or return to the fridge before serving.
Topping Ideas
Keto fudge recipes are so easy to customize with toppings! Here are some of my favorites. Now that you know the secret for how to make a keto fudge recipe with cocoa powder, here are just a few tips to answer some questions you might have…
Don’t melt the butter. This is the most important tip! If you melt your fat, the sweetener and cocoa powder will sink to the bottom, and the end result will be terrible. Mix at low speed. Only keep it running for long enough to mix together. If the speed is too high, you’ll create air bubbles. Use powdered sweetener. Do not use liquid sweetener – the fudge won’t set. Do not use concentrated pure powder, like pure stevia or monk fruit – it will be bitter with the chocolate. Do not use granulated sweetener – it will be grainy. Use the right size container. You don’t have to use the same container I did, but don’t use one that is too big. The size you need is probably smaller than you might think. Line the pan. Once the fudge sets, it will be nearly impossible to remove it from the bottom of an unlined pan. Line it with parchment paper first, and make sure the sides are hanging off so that you can easily lift it out of the container. Cut correctly. Use a large chef’s knife and cut in a straight down motion. Don’t see-saw, because it will crumble. To help avoid sticking, run the knife under water between cuts, and wipe with a paper towel before making the next cut. If you find that the fudge starts to crumble when you cut into it, even using a straight-down motion, then it’s likely too cold.
Flaky Sea Salt – A sprinkle before chilling adds the perfect salty-sweet taste.Chopped Nuts – While walnuts or pecans make a classic pairing, use any keto nuts you like. For those who are nut-free, pumpkin or sunflower seeds can easily add the same crunch as nuts!Sugar-Free Caramel – For a perfectly sweet and candy bar-like flavor. It will be runny at room temperature, but will be solid if you eat the fudge from the fridge.Melted Peanut Butter – Use a natural peanut butter to keep carbs low. Like caramel, this will be firmer and best out of the fridge.Sugar-Free Sprinkles – For a colorful twist!
More Keto Chocolate Dessert Recipes
Need a treat that won’t steer you off course? Now that you can make fudge sugar free, try these chocolaty desserts next! Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
