These incredible Fudge Babies are the perfect raw, vegan, paleo dessert. With just 5 ingredients, they’re super easy to make. All you need to make Fudge Babies is walnuts, cacao powder, dates, vanilla, and salt. I love making this healthy no-bake dessert during the summer. It’s perfect for those hot days when we eat loads of raw food recipes and keep our oven turned off.
Although Fudge Babies are small they’re packed with wildly fudgey deliciousness, and are so good your junk food loving friends won’t ever guess they’re made with wholesome, healthy ingredients.
Fudge Babies
Ingredients
- ½ cup dates (remove pits)
- 1 cup walnuts
- 3 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
Instructions
- Place dates, walnuts, cacao powder, vanilla, and salt in a food processor
- Pulse on high speed until smooth
- Roll mixture into balls
- Serve
Equipment
This paleo vegan dessert recipe is based on one by Chocolate Covered Katie. I made some minor changes to the recipe to make it more compatible with the way I eat. First, I used less than one-half the amount of dates she uses in her recipe because I am focused on reducing the amount of sugar in my diet, whether natural or processed. I also increased the amount of salt because I find more salt brings out the flavor of sweetness in many recipes.
After I read about Katie’s famous Fudge Babies I knew I’d need to make my own. And I knew they were a success because when my husband walked in the door he ate one. Then another. And another. And so on. You get the idea. I had to cut him off from the Fudge Babies. I hope you all love this healthy dessert as much as we do!
Here are some of my other yummy, raw, vegan paleo dessert recipes:
Nancy @SensitivePantry says
Who knew raw foods could be so easy and delicious? I plan to whip up a batch of these fudge babies right now! (Thx for the link love!)
Heather says
How long will the. Dates last in the fridge? I love links to all the ingredients and such too….. and the Comments are helpful too!
Diane M says
Elana and Katie: thank you! Can’t wait to try. Elana, I notice you cut the amount of dates quite a bit. Is this for dietary or other reasons?
elana says
Diane M,
I try not to eat too much sugar which dates are high in, that is the reason why I use less dates in my Fudge Babies than Katie uses in hers.
Elana :-)
Brooke says
These look wonderful! Elana, I really appreciate the fact that you create a link for each of the ingredients you use. I love learning which brands you use and therefore trust!
Ginny says
Yum! Elana, I love your recipes (have my walnuts soaking now so I can make these tomorrow). I’ve often wondered: where do you stand on soaking? I soak all my nuts and legumes before consuming them to get rid of those pesky enzyme inhibitors. Do you consider that step unnecessary?
elana says
Ginny,
I think soaking is great, though haven’t done it for quite some time; you will need to experiment and adjust any of my recipes if you decide to soak your nuts.
Thanks,
Elana
Tara says
Oh my goodness! I just made these and they are AMAZING! How can they be so good and so healthy ;-) Will definitely be making these very often now! Thank you!!
Heather says
Each version, this or power balls one are minor variations on the same general idea. I love them all! Using the dates and creating these raw treats are wonderful, easy, yummy, and healthy. Thank you! Just ordered 2 of your books!!
Jamee Sicat says
Since I didn’t win the giveaway, I’m gonna have to buy a food processor. To make this AND homemade nutella. :)
Kelli says
I am so happy with your version with the chocolate chips. And can not wait to try all of the variations on Katie’s site. I made the Cookie Dough Babies, and they’re great! You’ll have to do another food processor give away. I have to press mine down on the base to get it to run.
chocolate-covered katie says
Oh wow, Elana, I don’t even know what to say! You are so incredibly sweet to me!!! This post made me smile so much. So so much.
(And I laughed at not only your title, but also your salt note. I love salt too!)
I’m so thankful to the commenter on my blog who introduced me to your website the other day!
Love from a new friend (and fellow fudge mommy ;)),
Katie
chocolate-covered katie says
P.S. There is a little photo at the bottom of your post right now, of German Chocolate cake, that is calling to me. Can you hear it?
Must go answer this call… :)
VeggieGirl says
Love ya Katie AND Elana! :)
Jacqueline says
I want to thank both Katie and Elana for the progression of this recipe. I added my own twists–a big handful of dark chocolate chips and I subbed out the dates for organic dried cherries and blueberries. The first batch was eaten very quickly, so I tripled the recipe today.
Well, as I am standing there making a zillion little balls I had a dreamy thought. Could the mixture be pressed into the bottom of a tart pan and baked? Sure enough it baked up beautifully and after it cooled it hardened to a perfect texture. Not being dairy free, I put a half recipe of Tyler Florence’s Chocolate Tart filling, baked, and whipped up a tad of cream for garnish.
Amazing! The tangy bite of the dried cherries really shines through. In fact, I think a cherry compote tart with this base would be amazing. I just saw one on The Kitchn, so maybe that will be my next adventure.
So try this as a chocolate crust. It is wonderful!!