The most delicious “healthy” fudge you’ll ever have based off cashew and coconut flavours- Paleo, vegan, dairy free and gluten free options, it’s the perfect snack or after dinner treat with an optional protein boost! No baking required!
I should rename this post to ‘How to potentially convert colleagues into enemies’ or something along those lines.
I am grateful to have friends, family and colleagues whom are willing to be taste testers on many of my recipes. Scrap that- All my recipes. I know how all of us have different tastes and my level of sweetness may be too much for others, and visa versa. That is why I always ensure at least 3-4 other people try my recipes before I post it because quality control is important…except for pancakes. I make the judgement call for those.
When I brought this Paleo friendly Cashew Coconut Protein Fudge to work, this is the interaction between myself and a colleague.
Colleague- “Wow, you made my favourite- Iced lemon slice!”
Me- “…..Yeeeees. Yes, this is an iced lemon slice.”
Colleague- “I cannot WAIT for morning tea now.”
So come 10.30 am when half my office would do a coffee or pastry run, my colleague and I went into the break room and while I poured my third cup of coffee, she dug into the fridge and had a piece of this protein fudge. The protein fudge which she thought as an iced lemon slice.
Colleague- “This is…….nice. “
Me- “Really?”
Colleague- “Yes but…”
Me- “Yes?”
Colleague- “Um. Arman, Did you forget the lemon by any chance and add coconut instead? Iced lemon slice is made of oats and biscuits in the base and the icing tastes like lemon. This looks like a lemon slice but tastes nothing like one.”
Me- …..
Colleague- “I also have a cashew stuck in my tooth. Lemon slices are nut free. YOU BASTARDISED MY FAVOURITE DESSERT!”
Friends, maybe choose who you try to fool recipes with. I ended up buying a store bought iced lemon slice for her to make up for it later that day. It also contained almonds in the base and she was not happy. Again.
***
Like I mentioned yesterday, paleo, high protein and vegan recipes were some of my most popular requests for 2015. For some it may be easier to stick to true and tested ways but I do enjoy the challenge- Especially with some fun experiments coming up very soon. I first tried this recipe out completely Paleo before trying out a vegan option which wasn’t difficult at all- It just involved using a different protein powder and a different twist on the icing!
When I was in America, I picked up a paleo friendly protein powder purely to see how it would work with recipes. I’ve come to a few conclusions as you’ll see in the recipe below.
Inspired and similar to my favourite No Bake Cashew Coconut Protein bars, this Paleo No Bake Coconut Cashew Protein fudge looks impressive but really- It’s quick and easy to whip up. The base is made from just four key ingredients (five if you include a sweetener)- Coconut flour, chopped cashews, protein powder and a liquid of choice (I used cartoned coconut milk). The frosting is so easy too- A vanilla frosting made with just coconut oil, honey and vanilla essence based off this recipe.
For the Vegan version, I opted for a vanilla brown rice protein powder and instead of the paleo friendly frosting, I simply combined vanilla protein powder with almond milk and added it very slowly until a thick frosting formed- Spread. Done.
Promise me one thing- You will sift the coconut flour. Always sift the coconut flour. I didn’t for the ones I photographed and you can see clumps of coconut flour….my bad.
Also. Be mindful of which colleagues you trick.
Paleo Cashew Coconut Protein Fudge
Ingredients
For the fudge base
- 1 1/4 cups coconut flour sifted
- 4 scoops of paleo protein powder vanilla flavoured (for vegan option- I used a brown rice vanilla)
- 1/4 cup chopped cashews
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4- 3/4 cup cartoned coconut or almond milk* PLEASE SEE NOTE
- Sweetener of choice*
For the fudge frosting- (Paleo version)
- 1 cup coconut oil at room temperature
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the fudge frosting- (Vegan)
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 1/4-1/2 cup cartoned coconut or almond milk
- Other- Shredded coconut for dusting
Instructions
For the fudge base
- Line a 9 x 9 deep baking pan with baking paper and very lightly dust with coconut flour.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut flour, protein powder, sea salt and chopped nuts and mix very well. Very slowly add coconut or almond milk until mixture is no longer crumbly but still very firm.
- Transfer the fudge base to the pan and using your hands, press firmly until an even layer is formed.
For the Paleo frosting
- Using a blender or food processor, and puree until smooth. Top the fudge base with a thick layer and use a spoon to ensure a smooth look. Lightly top with extra shredded coconut. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
For the Vegan protein frosting
- Add 2 scoops of protein powder in a small bowl and slowly add almond or coconut milk until a very thick 'frosting' is formed- Spread over the fudge base and top with shredded coconut and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Notes
If your protein powder isn't sweetened, add granulated sweetener of choice- Monk Fruit (by Norbu) is paleo friendly.
If you do not have any dietary restrictions, I would recommend using Casein protein powder for both the fudge base and the protein frosting.
Want more of my favourite high protein, No bake recipes? Check these out!
Chocolate Protein Rice Crispy Treats (High Protein, Gluten Free, Vegan)
Healthy No Bake Rice Crispy Treats (Gluten Free, Vegan)
No Bake SunButter Granola Bars (High Protein, Gluten Free, Vegan)
No Bake Kettle Corn Granola Bars (High Protein, Gluten Free)
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.
You, my friend, are a legend! I’ve been looking for a baked good recipe with protein powder to add a little boost to my snacks and this sounds perfect…especially since I am trying to use up my packet of coconut flour. Quick question- do you think it’ll be ok without the frosting? I don’t like my stuff overly sweet so think going without it might help- what do you say?
Khushboo I couldn’t agree more. This would be the perfect boost right before or after I work out.
These are delicious pre or post workout!
Of course! If you use Sunwarrior (I used a similar tasting brand- Growing naturals)- You definitely don’t need the icing/frosting!
Aww…at least you tried to make it up to them! 😮 That was really nice of you to go get em’ an iced lemon slice! I’m rather jealous of your coworkers, hahaha. 😛 This looks delicious!
I always use my friends as guinea pigs for my recipes too. :] Hooray indeed for quality control!
Thanks Farrah! They sometimes can be so vague though!
Sorry but if I made those I’d make sure NOT to sift the coconut flour. The clumps are the best part of coconut flour and the reason I squeeze the bag before spooning some out and stirring it into my yogurt bowls. Let sit for a while, the coconut clumps start to “bloom” and … heavenly.
The encounter with your colleague reminded me of years ago when I brought a vegan ‘steak’ as part of my school lunch, offered it to a friend and she spat it out because she’d expected it to be cake. Sorry but that was totally her fault. Steak versus cake?! But yes, I test out baked goods on colleagues, too.
About this fudge: send me some because it looks amazing – and hey, it’s my birthday soon 😉 . It’s a pity I’m scraping the bottom of my last bag of SunWarrior and have no intentions of buying a new one. Unless I win the lottery any time soon.
I don’t mind it with peanut flour but coconut flour- it chocks me!
Your colleague should have just been thankful for the glory that was hitting his/her palette. And you are lovely to share your recipes with your coworkers. I never share protein type things. I have baked for others on occasion, but protein baked goods are AAALLLLLLL MINE.
Oh no! You better share with me when I move to America 😉
Hahah, that is the risk that you run by getting people to taste your food. I have add similar issues. Pah, as long as I like it, that’s all that matters!
Hahaha TOUCHE!
FUDGE! I LOVE FUDGE!!!!!!!! and yes, i do share recipes with coworkers – they’re who i shared your greek yogurt brownies with!! but this fudge…. sharing may not happen..
You actually shared them? Linz they were single serving…well not really but still! 😉
Fudge is always good, healthy fudge is better, fudge with frosting is the best! Way to go on this awesome recipe! Pinning!
Haha I love that step ladder up! Cheers buddy!
Yum! I don’t have all the ingredients today but I must make this ASAP!
YES! I totally thought of you when I made this. Fuel that marathon 😉
I always use greek yogurt instead of cream when I make various recipes. Fools my family into thinking I’ve made something very artery clogging and delicious! SO much fun to fool people like that!
I love sharing recipes with co workers. It’s one of my favorite ways to get new ideas!
Thanks Bridget! I love using Greek yogurt too!
These look delicious! My boyfriend is my taster tester for everything. Even if it doesn’t turn out that well he will eat it and not complain. Have a great Monday!
You have picked a winner, my friend!
Can i just say that waiting for this tease was SO WORTH IT! I love how you give so many options no matter what your diet or personal preference is 🙂 I feel like these would be epic with my vanilla caramel whey.. and even frosted with hardened Vanilla Cupcake SweetSpreads.. hot dang. So much protein and so much deliciousness and so many flavor opportunities that these could take on!! Have we ruled out chocolate.. heck to the noooooo 🙂
Thanks buddy- It’s totally Mere friendly without the eggs! I need to raid your protein stash- I swear you have the best range!
Hahaha…love this post, Arman! We end up sending a TON of leftovers in to my wife’s coworkers. That’s how I get my feedback. “You want leftovers? Well, you need to tell me what you think about ’em!” Now I need to try to fool the aforementioned coworkers…well done, my friend!
Thanks mate! After seeing all your creations, I kind of want to work with your wife now…
Must. Get. Coconut. Flour.
Once upon a time I used to make pans of desserts like this and I’d just keep taking “slivers” until it was basically gone before I knew it. I love that there’s protein powder in these so it would maybe/possibly/probably keep me from eating the whole pan 😉
You need to get coconut flour- It’s my favourite for baked goods! Definitely having the protein powder keeps the staying power there 🙂
This sounds soooo good. It’s 1am where I am and my tummy is grumbling, wishing I had one of these!
That warrants a trip to Australia, Gen! 😉
My co-workers are my taste testers too. They’ve not complained about anything I’ve brought to date. I think they’re just grateful to get treats. The only problem is mine now expect me to bring something weekly and I don’t always have time to do that. I created monsters.
Haha, I hope you’re colleagues don’t read here-Not sure how I’d feel being called a monster lol!