Primal Fudge -healthy homemade candy?

A few weeks ago I saw a post on Pinterest for Primal fudge - which basically means that if you are following a Paleo diet, you can eat this chocolate crack. It has no dairy, no refined sweeteners, and the fat source is coconut oil and nut butter, which are overall healthier for you than the usual butter/whipping cream combo found in traditional fudge.

Can I nerd-out for a minute?

Coconut oil is a saturated fat, just like butter. However, the primary buzz-worthy difference between the two is that coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT). So, you ask? Well, the MCT found in coconut oil (lauric acid) has been found to raise HDL levels, the good cholesterol, which is the good news. The bad news is that it also raises your LDL levels (just like butter) = so it's slightly better for you than butter but still not great for your arteries. All the other claimed health benefits are just that at this point, so treat coconut oil as you would any saturated fat, and make sure it's less than 10% of your calorie intake. I've heard coconut oil can improve Alzheimer's symptoms, improve metabolism, prevent cancer and heart disease (the list goes on) - but until good research can confirm these findings, I'd use it sparingly and focus on liquid fats, like olive oil and canola oil. That said, I fully endorse keeping some in your cupboard as a butter replacer - it can make some mean cookies and stir-frys.  As for the nuts, I think most people feel pretty confident saying that nuts are super healthy for you- they contain "good" fats but if eaten in large quantities, will make you fat! Thats's because they are not a low-calorie food, but still an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and fiber. I eat a ton of nuts, and feel very little guilt about that. Since I'm already on my soapbox, I will also comment that I do in fact feel that unrefined sugars are a smarter way to go. I know many RD's will disagree and site the fact that sugars are all metabolized virtually the same way, so a teaspoon of sugar is the same as a teaspoon of honey once it hits your mouth (and hips). But what about the antibacterial/antifungal and antioxidant properties that have been found in honey? Or the vitamins and fiber found in dates? Not to mention the legitimate desire of many of us to seek out foods found in their natural state rather than fresh from the factory. In a world that has preserved, pre-packaged, pre-cooked, sterilized, and refined EVERYTHING, there are a growing number of us who crave food in its original, pure form without added junk. Some of us don't care if the shelf-life of our bread is 5 days rather than 3 weeks. In fact, some of us are no-joke, flat-out scared by Wonder bread, because bread was never meant to last that long on the shelf (of course Hostess completely disagrees with me on this, I'm sure). I think the potential health benefits of the unrefined sugars are worth further exploration in research and definitely a smart consideration if you are adding sugar to a recipe. And I'm off my soapbox for now.

OK, back to the recipe. It is super simple to put together. The hardest part is waiting the 10 minutes for them to harden in the freezer. As a side note, these are best eaten right out of the freezer or refrigerator, as they tend to melt fairly quickly. Not great for traveling but who needs to travel with fudge??

PRIMAL FUDGE

1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup smooth nut butter of choice (I used a peanut/almond butter combo-salted)
1/2 cup good quality cocoa powder (I love Trader Joe's brand)
1/4-1/3 cup honey (agave also works)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Over low heat, melt the coconut oil. Add the nut butter, vanilla, and honey. Whisk vigorously until combined. Finish by adding the cocoa powder and beating well. Pour into paper cupcake liners and freeze for at least 10 minutes before devouring. Store in airtight container in freezer or fridge.

Alternatively, you can melt coconut oil and blend all ingredients in your VitaMix or Cuisinart.