Indulge Guilt-Free: Irresistible Keto Cream Cheese Fudge Recipe You Can’t Miss!

For those following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle, satisfying a sweet tooth can be a challenge. However, this keto cream cheese fudge recipe offers a delicious and guilt-free solution. This easy-to-make fudge combines the richness of chocolate with the creamy texture of cream cheese, resulting in a decadent treat that won't derail your dietary goals. It's a great low-carb alternative to traditional holiday fudge recipes.

Why Keto Cream Cheese Fudge?

This recipe is especially appealing to anyone wondering what chocolate they can enjoy on keto, or how to make sugar-free fudge from scratch. Unlike traditional fudge recipes laden with sugar and carbs, this keto version utilizes sugar-free alternatives and relies on the natural fats in cream cheese and chocolate to create a satisfyingly rich dessert. In fact, some might even consider this cream cheese ketogenic fudge a fat bomb!

Key Benefits of Keto Cream Cheese Fudge

Low in Carbs and Sugar: Perfect for those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
Satisfies Sweet Cravings: Provides a delicious way to indulge without the guilt.
Rich in Healthy Fats: Promotes satiety and helps you feel fuller for longer.
Easy to Make: Requires minimal ingredients and preparation time.
Versatile: Can be customized with various mix-ins and flavorings.
Suitable for Diabetics: Contains very little sugar and is low in carbs, making it suitable for people with diabetes.
Typically Gluten-Free: Does not contain any wheat or grain ingredients.

Ingredients You'll Need

This recipe typically calls for just five ingredients, making it incredibly simple to whip up. Here's a breakdown of the key components:

Cream Cheese: The star ingredient, providing a creamy texture and richness. Use the regular block of full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese in a block for the best results. You want the kind of cream cheese that comes in a brick. Low-fat cream cheese can be used, but the final result will be less creamy. Make sure to use softened cream cheese to get a nice creamy texture.
Sugar-Free or Unsweetened Chocolate Chips: Provides the chocolate flavor without the added sugar. You can use sugar-free chocolate chips or unsweetened chocolate chips. However, they now make sugar-free white chocolate chips that would probably make for a great tasting fudge as well! One exception is unsweetened baking chocolate, which is what you will use for this sugar-free chocolate fudge.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth texture.
Sugar Alternative: To make this recipe sugar free, you will need to use sugar free ingredients. Specific sugar alternatives are not given in the recipes presented on this site. Only suggestions are given as to the 'kind' of alternative to use. It is up to you to select the alternative to use that suits your needs best. If the recipe is heated or cooked, it is best to use an alternative that can be heated or cooked with for best results. This recipe calls for Swerve and stevia, which are keto-friendly and have zero net carbs.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the fudge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Baking Dish: This recipe calls for using a square 8 by 8" baking dish. Line an 8x8 baking pan or a small 6×8 pan with parchment paper that overlaps the edges of the pan will make it easier for you to remove the bars for cutting. Also, prepare your square baking dish by greasing it.
Melt the Chocolate: The chocolate chips in this recipe can be melted in the microwave or on the stove. To melt in a microwave, use a microwave safe bowl, on high, stopping to stir every thirty seconds until melted. If you are using the microwave method, please be sure to stop and stir the chocolate every 30 seconds. Stove top chocolate melting works best using a double boiler. Combine the butter, unsweetened chocolate, and vanilla in a small saucepan. When chocolate and butter is just melted add vanilla and sweetener and blend together. Melt together butter (see note), baking chocolate, and cream cheese over medium heat. Heat over medium-low stirring occasionally until the butter and chocolate are melted and you have a smooth, silky consistency. If your butter is not softened, you need to melt it in a saucepan along with the chocolate.
Cream Together Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and blended. While the chocolate is cooling, whip the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Mix the softened butter and the softened cream cheese until there are no lumps.
Combine Ingredients: Stir in the melted chocolate with the butter and the cream cheese. Once combined you can stir in the sugar alternative and the vanilla extract. Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar-free sweetener, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly. Add the sweetener and heat and stir until the sweetener has dissolved and the mixture is no longer gritty. You don't want grittiness in your fudge when it is all mixed. Place the cream cheese in a bowl, and pour the chocolate mixture over the cream cheese.Give the fudge a quick stir and the walnuts will rise from the bottom. With a hand mixer mix about 2 minutes. Place butter and chocolate in a small pan and melt oven low heat. When chocolate and butter is just melted add vanilla and sweetener and blend together. Remove from heat and stir in remaining dry ingredients.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the mixture to your prepped baking dish, making sure that it is evenly distributed. Spread mixture into prepared pan evenly. Place your keto chocolate fudge into a lined dish, or plate.
Refrigerate: Refrigerate until hardened (about two to three hours). Place the fudge mixture into the freezer then you have a quick frozen keto dessert. Allow the fudge to freeze before you try to slice it up.
Cut and Serve: Remove the fudge from the refrigerator and cut into pieces and serve. Precut and use parchment paper to keep separate.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Keto Fudge

Melting Chocolate: If you are using the microwave method, please be sure to stop and stir the chocolate every 30 seconds.
Baking Dish Size: However, a larger baking dish will make more fudge pieces while a smaller baking dish will make thicker ones.
Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure to use softened cream cheese to get a nice creamy texture.
Sweetener Adjustment: You can add more sweetener to this also. I use about 1/2 cup because it’s enough for me. But taste it as you go and add more if you like it sweeter.
Mix-ins: There are so many ways to get creative with this fudge. Change up the type of chocolate you use. Ensure you are using low-carb chocolate to maintain a low-carb fudge. You can use any type of nuts such as macadamia nuts, peanuts, or almonds in your fudge mixture. Mix in your favorite chopped nuts. Crush up low-carb sandwich cookies or your favorite peanut butter cup and fold it into the batter at the end of mixing. Mix in your mint extract instead of vanilla or other flavored extract for added flavor. You should know that I opted to add pecans to my best keto diet fudge, but you can add any chopped nuts.
Dealing with Separation: A common problem with the recipe is separation where the fat doesn't blend in well. However, it will be okay if you see a little separation. But, if you let the mixture chill a bit at room temperature and then whip it again, the fats usually blend in better. You can also try adding a tablespoon of heavy cream. It helps by lowering the temperature of the mixture a bit before blending.
Walnuts Sinking: You need to allow the fudge to cool slightly before adding the chopped walnut pieces, otherwise, they will sink to the bottom.

Storage Instructions

If stored in a covered air tight container in the refrigerator, your fudge should keep for about for a week. You should store this fudge in a sealed container in the fridge. This will help ensure it doesn’t spoil. I like to store my keto cream cheese fudge, already sliced, in an airtight container. You absolutely can't store it at room temperature. Just keep it refrigerated for up to 7 days. I like to make sure it is covered or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. You can also transfer it to an airtight container for storage.

You can also freeze the fudge if you like. Place it in a sealed freezer bag or container and freeze for 1-2 months. Just make sure to keep it wrapped tightly so that the freezer doesn’t dry it out. I keep fudge stored in the freezer .

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Nutritional Information

The exact number of carbs in keto cream cheese fudge will depend on the ingredients used. Generally, this type of fudge contains very few carbs and can be an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their carb intake.

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes. Note - the nutrition calculations here are slightly different from what I got when adding this to my carb manager app. Also - keep in mind that not all cream cheese has the same carb count. I have found that the store brand has twice as many as the Philadelphia cream cheese. Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy.

A Versatile and Delicious Keto Dessert

This keto cream cheese fudge recipe is a versatile and delicious way to satisfy your sweet cravings while staying true to your low-carb lifestyle. With its simple ingredients, easy preparation, and customizable flavor options, it's sure to become a go-to treat for any keto enthusiast. So, whip up a batch and enjoy a guilt-free indulgence!

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #cream #cheese #fudge #recipe