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An easy pumpkin fudge recipe that’s sugar free and paleo diet friendly. There’s no need to feel guilty indulging in this yummy low carb treat!
Can you believe the month of September is more than halfway over? It still feels a little like summer here as the leaves haven’t turned color yet. But, before you know it, the holidays will be here!
Since we are in the middle of the official pumpkin season, I thought it would be a great time to work on an easy pumpkin fudge recipe. My only requirement was that it be paleo diet friendly. This means it had to be dairy-free as well as not use any sugar alcohols.
One of the things I’ve done to move to a more paleo diet is cut back on heavy cream. And, I’m working on cutting back on the amount of cheese I eat.
It’s not easy as both of those have been regulars in my low carb diet. Although dairy has nutritional benefits, those nutrients can easily be replaced with other foods.
Last week, I wrote an article about whether dairy is good or bad for you. An interesting fact that I uncovered is that about 65% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant. (source)
It appears that the ability to digest lactose beyond the breastfeeding stage is abnormal. This is because humans typically stop producing lactase after weaning. And, many people are actually lactose intolerant but don’t have noticeable symptoms.
So, if dairy is something we were never meant to consume past childhood, maybe it can cause adverse health effects.
Although it’s clear that some milk products are better than others, I wasn’t able to prove that dairy is completely bad. However, based on what I did find, I’ve decided to look for alternatives to dairy.
For this easy pumpkin fudge recipe, I used dairy free coconut butter and oil. To keep it paleo, concentrated stevia liquid was used rather than a bulk low carb sweetener. I also added a little bit of coconut flour to thicken up the mix.
Coconut seems to be one of the best replacements for dairy products. I even found a recipe for making dairy free mozzarella cheese from coconut products. It seems pretty low carb, too.
I’m not missing the dairy at all in this yummy paleo pumpkin fudge! And, although there is a lot of coconut in it, I don’t find that overpowering. The pumpkin and spices are the predominant flavors in the fudge.
Cheese is main reason why I haven’t gone completely dairy free. One of my original thoughts for a low carb pumpkin fudge was to use cream cheese. If you are following a low carb paleo diet, I’d love to hear whether you’ve incorporated any cheese alternatives into your diet.
As I move away from cheese, I’ll be posting more dairy-free recipes in the future. It will be tough to give up cheese completely, though. Maybe one day, I’ll become an expert on dairy-free cheese making.
What are your thoughts on dairy? Do you think it’s best cut back or eliminate it completely?
Easy Pumpkin Fudge Recipe – Sugar Free and Paleo
For a few other low carb and dairy-free recipes, take a look at these:
- Almond Flour Bread
- Almond Flour Pancakes
- Texas Slow Cooker Beef Chili
- Zucchini Cheese
- Keto Coconut Macaroons
So give a few of them a try after tasting this yummy paleo fudge!
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Easy Pumpkin Fudge Recipe – Paleo
Recipe Video (Click on Image to Play)
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ⅔ cup coconut butter
- ½ tsp SweetLeaf Stevia Drops
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- dash sea salt
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients in small pot over medium low heat until well combined.
- Line small container (I used an 8×5) with parchment paper
- Spread mixture into lined container.
- Chill in refrigerator until set.
- Cut into squares. Keep stored in refrigerator.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
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Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
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CD
I can’t wait to try this! Can I substitute the liquid stevia with granulated monk fruit sweetener?
Lisa MarcAurele
Granular erythritol is not recommended as it may not dissolve in. You could try a powdered sweetener.
Ozlem
These are so delicious! Thank you. How long do they keep in the fridge for? Should I rather freeze them if I am keeping them for a week?
Lisa MarcAurele
They should be fine to store up to a week in the fridge.
Anita
I accidentally got coconut cream instead of coconut butter. I read a place that said they can be used interchangeably. The fudge I made was a flop. The volume of what was in my pan was much less than you have. Did you mean cocao butter instead of coconut butter?
Lisa MarcAurele
It’s coconut butter and you can make it yourself by processing unsweetened dried coconut into a butter using a food processor.
Debbie Easley
Could you use butter in place on coconut butter?
Lisa
It’s not the same and will change flavor and texture. You could give it a try if that’s not an issue for you.
christina
could i sub somehting for the coconut butter?
Lisa
You can process dried unsweetened coconut into a homemade butter and use that instead.
Julie Wilcox
Can I use powder stevia? If yes, would it be the same amount?
Lisa
You can. It’s usually about twice as sweet so you may want to use only half the amount.
peyton
Can I set the fudge in the freezer?
Lisa
Yes. It can be frozen if desired.
Jeri Mihm
Lisa, I’ve gone dairy free due to inflammation. I can’t believe I did it because I ate tons of cheese and sour cream, but I have been successful! This recipe is great, I’m sharing it to our Low-Carb group today. 🙂
Lisa
I though giving up dairy would be a lot harder too, but there are a lot of dairy-free options to make things easy.
Nicole
Thanks for Pumpkin Fudge Sugar free and Paleo recipe. Looks delicious, i am working with some chefs to include in our freelance chef website.
Diana
I want to make this, but I have a question. I own liquid vanilla creme stevia, not regular liquid stevia. Do you think using 1 tsp of the vanilla creme stevia and omitting the stevia and vanilla extract would work? Or should I use more than that?
Lisa
You’d use the same amount of vanilla stevia as the unflavored stevia.
BellaDevine
Why is the print button not working on this one?
Lisa
It’s working for me. There are some bugs with Microsoft Edge if that’s the browser you’re using. I recommend using Google Chrome.
Tiffany
I did a few small batches, tried with stevia, honey and maple syrup. My husband didn’t take well to the stevia, I didn’t mind it. I think it would be good for diabetics. The honey was okay, but we both loved it with maple syrup the best and I added the molasses in that one. I know its more carbs but we’re not too concerned with that, just looking for vegan recipes and trying to cut back on processed sugar as much as possible. So this worked great and I’m bringing this one to my grandfather’s birthday/Thanksgiving gathering this Sunday.
Tiffany
Oh, I plan to get some almonds too to put one on top of each piece. I think it might be nice decoration and hopefully will go well with it.
Lisa
That does sound like a good idea.
Lisa
Good to know that maple and molasses had the best taste for those not watching carbs.
Sierra
Ohh!! I can’t wait to make these!!
Lisa
Hope you like them. It’s like a pumpkin pie fat bomb!
Lisa
These turned out great! Thanks.
Lisa
Glad they worked out for you! I find them an easy way to get a pumpkin pie flavored treat.
Amy
Thanks for your post! I am one of the unfortunate souls that Does have intolerence issues. I wouldn’t mind not having milk and I have come to accept that cheese is NOT my friend (and I almost never eat it anymore).. but Sour cream and I go way back, haha.. Seriously though, I love tacos and they are so plain without sour cream..sniff sniff.. I miss ice cream, too.. but Lactaid has some Great tasting lactose free ice cream (so at least there is that!), I LOVE the salted carmel!
Lisa
I’d love to find dairy-free low carb ice cream!
Darrell
https://www.halotop.com/flavors-dairy-free/
Kim | Low Carb Maven
This fudge looks really good Lisa. Two years ago, we avoided dairy dairy for my daughter who is on the Spectrum. It wasn’t easy. I don’t know if it made a difference or not but I felt better doing it for her. Good luck.
Lisa
Thanks Kim! Its super tough for me to completely eliminate dairy. I heard raw dairy products aren’t as bad.
Katie
Most people who show up sensitive to pasteurized dairy do just fine with raw dairy products. One theory is the heating process of pasteurization alters the proteins in the milk causes issues. I work in an office where we focus on nutrition and most people notice a positive difference with switching to raw milk cheeses. Living in Illinois, we can only buy raw milk directly from farmers, but raw milk cheese can be found in some grocery stores.
If you can’t go completely dairy free, raw dairy is definitely the way to go. (Oh and I can’t live without butter! Amish or Kerry Gold are great because they also minimize any heating processes)
Lisa
We are able to get raw milk here in Connecticut, but I haven’t seen any other raw dairy products. I do believe that most people do not have issues if the dairy is not pasteurized. And, raw milk is more nutritious too.
Chrissi
I honestly think hard cheeses are ok and cream cheese never effect me
But yes alternate to coconut creams to replace milk and cream absolutely
This is a compromise and I really think it’s the creams in dairy that do the damage with intolerances
Cheese is natural
And so versitile with so many recipes especially low carbs
Goats feta is another great option it seems lighter and has many good cultures and benefits
Ps love this recipe!
Lisa
I know a lot of people who aren’t affected by cheese, but have trouble with milk and cream.
Maren
Sadly there is nowhere to buy canned pumpkin in Norway (that I know of), so what kind of pumpkin do I need for the puree? Or can I substitute some kind of squash for it? I know it wouldn’t be the real thing, but with all of my American friends (and everyone else) raving about all things pumpkin spice, I got curious and would love to try something with it 🙂 Hope you (or someone else) can help me!
Also, thank you for all the wonderful recipes! Saved a lot to try in the future (if/when I can get a hold of the special ingredients)
Lisa
Typically, it’s the smaller sugar pumpkins used for puree.
Carol
Hello Maren! You can order canned pumpkin at either amazon.com or at jet.com You can search the Internet for other places to order from. Happy Fall Blessings to you!
Samantha
Just an idea, I know it’s a late respose but.. you can try butternut squash instead of a pumpkin. I’ve made butternut squash puree and used it in a pumpkin bread recipe (low carb) and it came out great! I’ve used both butternut and acorn squash in place of pumpkin. I think here in my neck of the woods we call the cooking pumpkins, “pie” pumpkins.
Lisa
Good idea for those who have trouble getting pumpkin!
Susan
Hubby doesn’t care for Stevia. Is there a sub for that?
We don’t need it really sweet though.
Perhaps coconut sugar or raw honey?
Lisa
You’ll need about 1/4 cup of sweetener like honey. It will up the carbs, though.
Carol
Have you tried going to
wheylow.com ? They have great substitute sugars there that are absolutely wonderful! They’re sugars were created for diabetics & although they are made from sugar, it won’t spike blood sugars in the body! The man who created these sugars, did so for his diabetic wife. You use their sugars exactly like regular sugar in any recipe! I’d be lost without my whey low , especially around holiday times! It is a bit pricy but so very much worth the great payoffs you get from the Whey Low! Since i started using whey low sevral years ago, it has greatly helped me to loose 100 lbs! & whey low isnt dangerous to your health like aspertame & splenda are! Check out their site & you’ll be glad you did! Have a Blessed Happy & Yummy Fall!
Lisa
There are 4g per teaspoon of sugar carbs so be careful using Whey Low!
bitter fruit
If all coconut butter costs about the same as the link, I’m out of luck.
What can I sub, if anything, for it?
Lisa
You could try coconut oil or make your own coconut butter from unsweetened dried coconut.
Barb
There are recipes online to make your own. I just did that today, and it turned out great. Very economical.