Pumpkin Fudge Recipe

36 comments

5 from 43 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This easy pumpkin fudge recipe is a crowd-pleasing dessert that’ll satisfy all the die-hard pumpkin fans in your life. Made with creamy cashew butter and perfectly sweetened pumpkin, it’s a foolproof recipe that gets better with every bite!

pumpkin fudge.

No bake desserts are a big deal in my house, as they should be. I mean, to be able to whip up a decadent dessert without spending hours in the kitchen, how cool is that? Honestly, it almost feels like cheating.

When I can combine my love of easy desserts with my love of all things pumpkin, it’s even better. That’s why I’ve been making pumpkin brownies, pumpkin bars, and pumpkin-spiced fudge nonstop. 

Table of Contents
  1. Recipe highlights
  2. What is pumpkin fudge made of?
  3. How to make pumpkin fudge
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More no-bake desserts to try
  8. Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (Recipe Card)

Recipe highlights

  • 4 ingredients. Just 4 simple ingredients, plus some optional spices, are all you need to make this easy fudge recipe. 
  • Healthy. No granulated sugar and no sweetened condensed milk are needed, yet you still get irresistibly decadent fudge. 
  • A chocolate-free fudge recipe. Look, not everyone loves chocolate as much as I do, and while this breaks my heart, I get it. Unlike most pumpkin fudge recipes, this one has no white chocolate. 
  • Dairy-free. Like maple fudge, this recipe is made without any evaporated milk, so it’s totally vegan-friendly.

What I enjoy most about this recipe is how easy it is to make! Just combine the ingredients in a bowl, then transfer them to your baking dish and let it set in the fridge. No candy thermometer or tons of hands-on time is needed. Like my sugar cookie bars, it’s the perfect make-ahead treat. 

healthy pumpkin fudge recipe.

What is pumpkin fudge made of?

As I mentioned, this recipe uses just a few basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Cashew butter. I prefer cashew butter over other nut butters because it’s relatively mild in flavor, so the pumpkin really stands out. That said, if you’d rather use almond butter or tahini for a nut-free version, you certainly can. 
  • Maple syrup. Sweetens the bars and adds a complimentary caramelized flavor. I’ve also used agave, and it works great. 
  • Pumpkin puree. Look for pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling, which will have sugar and spices already added. 
  • Coconut oil. Helps to hold the fudge together at room temperature. I also tried using butter, and while it did work, the fudge was quite oily and didn’t hold together well. 
  • Pumpkin pie spice. Optional, but definitely a good idea if you want to impart even more pumpkin flavor. When I’m out of pumpkin pie spice, I’ll use cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make pumpkin fudge

Step 1- Prep work. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish or baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and set aside. 

Step 2- Make the batter. In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, melt the cashew butter with coconut oil. Add maple syrup, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice, stirring to combine. 

Step 3- Transfer and chill. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan and refrigerate until firm. 

creamy fudge with pumpkin.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Leave some parchment paper sticking out. When you line the baking dish with parchment, leave enough sticking out that you can use it to help pop out the fudge once it’s set. That way, you won’t have to risk making a sticky mess. Ask me how I know…
  • Add mix-ins. While I like usually like my fudge to be smooth and creamy, sometimes I’ll stir in some roasted pecans, pumpkin seeds, or white chocolate chips for a little texture.
  • Cut the fudge when it’s fully set. My #1 tip for fudge is to make sure it’s totally firm before trying to slice it. And make sure to use a sharp knife!
  • Use up the extra pumpkin. This recipe calls for just ½ cup of pumpkin puree, so if you’re wondering what to do with the rest of the can, I suggest making pumpkin balls or pumpkin blondies
  • Bump up the pumpkin. When I’m really feeling the holiday season (especially Thanksgiving), I like to add a few teaspoons of pumpkin spice to the batter.
  • Add vanilla extract. I thought this fudge was flavorful enough as is, but you could add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to really amp up the flavor. 

Storage instructions

To store: Store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. 

To freeze: Freeze leftover fudge in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. I like to separate the layers of fudge with parchment paper so they don’t stick. Let the frozen fudge thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying. 

creamy pumpkin fudge.

Frequently asked questions

What is the secret to good fudge?

I’ve found that the secret to making REALLY good fudge is to use high-quality ingredients, avoid overheating the fudge, and allow it to fully set before slicing.

More no-bake desserts to try

Pumpkin Fudge keto and vegan

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe

5 from 43 votes
This easy pumpkin fudge recipe is a crowd-pleasing dessert that’ll satisfy all the die-hard pumpkin fans in your life. Made with creamy cashew butter and perfectly sweetened pumpkin, it’s a foolproof recipe that gets better with every bite!
Servings: 30 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 2 minutes
Total: 7 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Line an 8 x 8 baking dish wish aluminium tin foil or baking paper and set aside.
  • In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, melt your cashew butter with coconut oil. Add your pure maple syrup then stir through your pumpkin puree until fully combined. Top with optional pumpkin pie spice.
  • Pour mixture into lined baking dish and refrigerate until firm.

Notes

TO STORE. Store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. 
TO FREEZE. Freeze leftover fudge in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. I like to separate the layers of fudge with parchment paper so they don’t stick. Let the frozen fudge thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 142kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 636IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 7g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Recipe originally October 2019 but updated to include new information for your benefit.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

You May Also Like

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. I laughed when I read “HEALTHY 4 ingredient pumpkin fudge” and wondered how fudge could be healthy. LOL. However, I just made this from fresh pumpkin I had and it is AWESOME!

  2. Interesting concoction! I can’t have cashews so I used peanut butter. It is much more peanutty than pumpkiny and darker in color, but it is still pretty tasty. Thanks for this!

    1. I did this same thing by using peanut butter instead and although it was more like peanut butter fudge instead of pumpkin, it was REALLY good!!! 🙂

See More Comments