This 5 Minute Vegan Microwave Fudge is easy and makes the perfect holiday treat! Full of tons of chocolate flavor and crunchy walnuts, you would never guess this recipe is full of clean ingredients!
One of the things that was always special to me growing up during the holidays was fudge. My granny would always make fudge for Christmas and it was a recipe that was passed down from her mother. We would each get a tin for Christmas and let me tell you. My parents would have to stop me from eating it all in one sitting. There were many stomachaches had but only because her fudge was so delicious. They say that food is the window to the soul and this is one of my fondest holiday memories. My granny passed away this year so we don't get to celebrate with her this year but I am determined to keep the fudge tradition going strong.
I took her recipe and changed it up to make it vegan, paleo, and gluten-free, and let me tell you. This tastes exactly the same and it is delicious! I hope you enjoy this holiday season!
Check out some other delicious holiday desserts like these Chewy Chocolate Molasses Cookies or these Vegan Cannolis!
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Ingredient Notes
- Vegan Chocolate- This recipe uses two types of vegan chocolate. The recipe calls for semi-sweet and milk chocolate ingredients. I love this Enjoy Life Brand of chocolate. Enjoy Life chocolate is non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher, halal-certified, paleo-friendly, and vegan. It is also free of 14 different types of allergies so it is perfect for any diet. I get my chocolate chips at Sprouts but I have seen them at Whole Foods, Target and Walmart as well. For the milk chocolate, I used their vegan rice milk chocolate chips, they taste exactly like milk chocolate! However, feel free to use whatever vegan semi-sweet and milk chocolate you prefer.
- Sunflower Seed Butter- The sunflower seed butter in this recipe binds everything together and helps to solidify the fudge. I have tried it without using nut butter and I couldn't get the fudge to set up to the right consistency so nut butter is key. This recipe uses sunflower seed butter because I had it in my fridge but you can use any neutral nut butter that you like such as almond butter or cashew butter. I would avoid using peanut butter as the flavor can be a little overpowering, however, if you want to make peanut butter fudge, go for it! Make sure your nut butter is clean and contains only nuts and no added sugars.
- Vegan Butter- The vegan butter in this recipe helps to give it a richer texture and taste. I used Miyokos Vegan Butter.
- Walnuts-My granny's recipe always had walnuts so I couldn't leave them out! However, feel free to swap them for pecans, macadamias, or your favorite nut!
See the recipe card for full ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
You can make this fudge either in the microwave or on the stove! Your call! Both ways work great and are listed below.
Microwave Instructions
- Add the vegan butter, cashew butter, and chocolate to a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 5 minutes in 30-second increments stirring in between until the chocolate is melted and you can stir everything together smoothly.
- Stir in the maple syrup, vanilla, and chopped walnuts and pour into a lined 8x8 inch baking pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight. This will give time for the chocolate to set.
- Remove from the fridge and slice the fudge into 16 equal slices and enjoy!
Stovetop Instructions
- Add the vegan butter, cashew butter, and chocolate to a large pot over medium heat.
- Stir consistently for 5 minutes until the chocolate is melted and everything is combined.
- Stir in the maple syrup, vanilla, and chopped walnuts and pour into a lined 8x8 inch baking pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight. This will give time for the chocolate to set.
- Remove from the fridge and slice the fudge into 16 equal slices and enjoy!
Hint: Line the baking pan with tin foil and spray with cooking spray to easily remove the fudge.
Substitutions
- Sugar-Free - Use your favorite sugar-free chocolate chips and swap the maple syrup for Erythritol
- Nut-Free - Leave out the walnuts and swap the cashew butter with sunflower seed butter to make this allergy-friendly.
- Coconut Oil - if you are averse to palm oil that is found in most vegan butter, feel free to swap out the vegan butter with an equal amount of coconut oil.
Variations
- Sweetened Condensed Milk - You can swap the cashew butter for vegan sweetened condensed milk if you prefer.
- Rocky Road - Add some vegan marshmallows with the walnuts to turn this fudge into a rocky road fudge!
- Peppermint - Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes to turn this fudge into a delicious peppermint fudge!
Check out this other delicious holiday dessert!
FAQ's
Yes, you can use peanut butter instead of cashew butter but be warned, your fudge might have a peanut butter taste which will be delicious but might not be the traditional fudge you are looking for.
Feel free to swap the maple syrup with agave syrup or even honey if you aren't vegan. If you find it too sweet, feel free to leave it out all together.
It is important to measure out the ingredients in this recipe and try not to swap anything out other than what I have listed. If you do, you shouldn't have an issue with it not setting up. However if you run into the issue, try freezing the fudge for half an hour and check.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Please see below for the equipment you will need to make this recipe.
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Microwave safe bowl
- Silicone Spatula
Storage and Gifting
This fudge is best stored in the refrigerator but can be served at room temp. The fudge will store for up to two weeks.
You can freeze this fudge for up to 3 months, just bring it to room temp before serving.
To give this fudge as a gift, freeze the tins ahead of time and line them with parchment paper. Leave a cute note for your friends or family members instructing them to keep the fudge refrigerated.
Top tips
- All microwaves are different- You may find that you need to zap it for a longer or shorter period to get the same results.
- Stirring is key-This goes for both the stovetop and the microwave directions. Stirring the fudge consistently is the key to success in this. We don't want to scorch the chocolate, we simply want to melt everything together.
- Make sure to use two chocolate types- This recipe calls for both milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate. The reason for this is the balance of flavors. We don't want it overly sweet using all milk chocolate and we don't want it too bitter by using only semi-sweet chocolate.
5 minute Vegan Microwave Fudge (Paleo and Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashew butter
- ⅓ cup vegan butter
- 1 cup vegan semi sweet chocolate
- 1 cup vegan milk chocolate
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
Microwave instructions
- Add the vegan butter, cashew butter, and chocolate to a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 5 minutes in 30-second increments stirring in between until the chocolate is melted and you can stir everything together smoothly.
- Stir in the maple syrup, vanilla, and chopped walnuts and pour into a lined 8x8 inch baking pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight. This will give time for the chocolate to set.
- Remove from the fridge and slice the fudge into 16 equal slices and enjoy!
Stovetop Instructions
- Add the vegan butter, cashew butter, and chocolate to a large pot over medium heat.
- Stir consistently for 5 minutes until the chocolate is melted and everything is combined.
- Stir in the maple syrup, vanilla, and chopped walnuts and pour into a lined 8x8 inch baking pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight. This will give time for the chocolate to set.
- Remove from the fridge and slice the fudge into 16 equal slices and enjoy!
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Jean says
This 5 minute fudge is perfect for any last minute dessert!
Oscar says
Loved this fudge and how easy it was to make. Using the microwave was super convenient. Great recipe.
Natalie says
I absolutely love added walnuts for a crunchy feel. I will make this fudge today. Can't wait.
Amanda Scarlati says
I cannot believe how easy and good this was! making again for christmas day
Carmy says
I am HERE for this easy fudge recipe!!
Jacqui says
I love how easy to make this is! Such an awesome recipe
nancy says
you had me at 5 minute microwave! so good and quick!
Jeri says
I love that this fudge is full of clean ingredients. I love homemade fudge, but always feel guilty eating it. I will be making some this weekend. I can't wait!
Holly says
Big hit at our house! This fudge is yummy and easy enough for the kids to make!
Alexandra says
Such a delicious sweet treat and I love how quick it is to make! Perfect for having on hand over the festive season.
Marcellina says
Fudge is perfect for Christmas gift giving and it's great to have a vegan version to make for my friends. They are going to love this! Thank you!
Swathi says
This vegan microwave fudge looks delicious perfect for holidays.
Emily Flint says
Love this easy vegan recipe!!
Gloria says
Love easy to make fudge.
Sue says
This is perfect, I like to have a few vegan treats every time my step daughter comes to visit, which will be very soon. This fudge just made the list!
Colleen says
Delicious fudge and so easy to make!
michele says
A real crowd pleaser!
Brianna says
So easy and my kids loved this fudge!
Rosanna says
So happy I found this recipe! Absolutely delicious and I love that it can be adapted. Thank you!
Andra says
I've been looking for an easy fudge recipe for a while and this one looks great. I'll be making this later today, can't wait 😀
Jeri says
I love that this fudge can be made so quick and easy in the microwave!
Shilpa says
This fudge was so delicious. Yumm.. loved it. Thanks for this super easy recipe.
Bobbie says
I had no idea I could make such a delicious dessert in just 5 minutes! Perfect for a last minute holiday party!
Susan says
Delicious fudge! This is going on my holiday trays this year!
Makhaya says
Seriously loved how quickly this came together! So good!
Andrea White says
Love that this is microwavable! It can't get any simpler!!!
Jen Vinuya says
I love how easy this is to make!
Addie says
Such an easy fudge recipe! So delicious!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
My sister is the only one in our family that eats a vegan diet. She finds the holidays difficult since all the desserts seem to be made with butter and eggs. I think I'll surprise her this year, and bring this fudge for her to enjoy!
Julie says
OMG made these for a (socially distanced) house warming and people were literally asking me for the recipe! So good!!
Dawn Conklin says
Love this vegan fudge! It is so easy to make and delicious. We all loved it here and will be making more to give as gifts too (if we don't eat it first haha!)
Gina Abernathy says
Such an easy recipe. I love fudge and only make it once a year--because I eat most of it!
Holly says
This fudge is so good and easy to make! This will be great for teacher and neighbor gifts!
nancy says
cool! i didn't know you can make these in the microwave!
Choclette says
This sounds so good. I adore the combination of chocolate and cashew nut butter, so I know I'm going to love this fudge. Delicious without being totally bad for you 😀