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2012Healthy ‘Eatmore’ Fudge Squares
“Mmmmmm… they totally taste like Eatmore Bars!!” said my hubby, and the name was born. Healthy ‘Eatmore’ Fudge Squares, because that describes them perfectly. A chewy, yet crunchy, sweet, chocolaty bottom, topped with a rich, fudgey (is that a word?!), decadent, chocolaty layer, cut into a perfect little four bite square. YUM.
This recipe is a perfect ‘I-need-a-little-treat-but-don’t-want-to-actually-have-a-bad-treat’ treat! The squares are made with minimal ingredients, all natural and all good for you; nuts, unsweetened cocoa powder, dates, pure raw honey, almond butter, and banana. That’s it, that’s all – no flour, no refined sugars, no chemicals, no additives, no CRAP! Just good whole food to put you in a really good mood! 
I made these squares in about 15 minutes flat, after letting the dates soak for about half an hour (this step is optional but makes the bottom layer come together easier), and then popped the tray in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
I still have some hanging out in the freezer, even though I made this batch a couple weeks ago, and they still taste as good as they did the day I made them – they don’t actually freeze solid, they stay nice and firm, but easy to bite into, and soften up in about a minute at room temperature.
The only drawback of these squares, is that at room temperature for too long they will melt and become a bit of a mess – so keeping them chilled is the key!
The hubby ate about 6 the night I made them, so be careful, they are really tasty, and although made with whole, unprocessed ingredients, they still do have about 140 calories a pop! Keep moderation in mind and enjoy one or two at a time
It’s so awesome to know that healthy desserts CAN be made, and enjoyed, and still taste amazing. I love seeing healthy alternatives to typical unhealthy dessert ingredients!
No more do cakes, cupcakes, brownies, pies, and squares need to be made with white sugar or white flour, shortening, or other processed garbage!!! The internet has a plethora of healthy baking alternatives… so no excuses!!
Ok, I will step off my pedestal… so you can go make these!!
- 1 cup pitted dates
- ½ cup almonds, unsalted
- ½ cup walnuts, unsalted
- ¼ cup + ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ripe bananas
- 4 tbsp natural almond butter
- 4 tbsp unpasteurized honey
- Put dates in a bowl with warm water, allow dates to soak for 30 minutes, then drain.
- Mix together dates, almonds, walnuts, and ¼ cup cocoa powder in a food processor until well blended.
- Spread mixture in a 9×5 baking pan until evenly distributed, and press down gently with a spoon.
- Mix together bananas, almond butter, honey, and other ¼ cup cocoa powder in the food processor until well blended.
- Spread mixture over bottom layer until evenly distributed.
- Place in freezer for 30 minutes.
- Cut into 16 squares. Re-freeze whatever you don’t eat and enjoy at another time!
Sarah Gordon
Curious if you have used coconut nectar in any of your recipes before?
Christal
I haven’t actually! Do you like it??
Healthy ‘Eatmore’ Fudge Squares Recipe | Yummy Treats You
[...] Source [...]
Amy
Dear Christal!
I made this bars today (if you are interested, http://www.swissmissinthekitchen.blogspot.com) and WOW! I’m thrilled!!! They were sooooo delicious and I will definitely re-make them! Many thanks for sharing!
xox Amy
P.S love your blog
Christal
Thanks Amy!! I will check out your post, thanks for linking back as well!
Christal
Great blog!
Wek One Completed With Ease (and energy to spare)! | Random Thoughts From a Flagrant Flibbertigibbet
[...] Healthy Eatmore Fudge Chocolate Bars [...]
Peach Pie Fudge (vegan & gluten free!) @ Nutritionist in the Kitch
[...] thinking it has been far too long since my last fudge post (you may remember the oh so delicious Eatmore Fudge Squares) which was extremely popular, so it was time for another one! This fudge is totally different yet [...]
Sickness of the Home Kind |
[...] out the recipe here: Healthy ‘Eatmore’ Fudge Bars by Nutritionist in the [...]
Ruta
These look SO SO SO good. Healthy fudge is like a dream come true!
Christal
Thanks Ruta! I agree! Healthy chocolate-anything is a dream come true!
Ginger
Wow, delicious! I found the recipe elsewhere with a couple of small modifications: it specified Medjool dates, and omitted the soaking step – maybe because Medjools are more moist? And it called for double the cocoa in the topping. My dates weren’t pitted but it only took about a minute to pit them myself. The un-soaked dates combined with the nuts and cocoa just fine and molded well into the pan. I used agave instead of honey. I only had about 3 Tbsp, but that was plenty. I didn’t get much banana flavor in the topping at all because it was so fudgey and chocolately, but I like bananas so maybe I just didn’t notice. Usually I’m intimidated by “healthy sweets” recipes because they seem so complicated, but this was so easy and tasty I could see it being one of my “go-to” treats. Thanks!
Christal
Awesome Ginger!! Thank you so much for the feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed!
Miriam
I have these in the freezer right now – so excited to taste. I know they will be delicious because I couldn’t help tasting as I went along…
I used peanut butter in the top because I don’t have almond butter, and I threw in some mini chocolate chips to the base. It’s my first time using dates – I’ve made other raw nut/dried fruit desserts using prunes.
Thanks for sharing this great recipe – I got over here from chocolatecoveredkatie, and now I’m looking forward to becoming a regular here.
Christal
I’m excited for you to taste! They are amazinggg! I love these squares! Enjoy!
Ariel
Hi I’m new to your blog but these look amazing. I have a nut allergy and was wondering if the nuts in the recipe can be substituted for anything? Maybe sunflower seed kernels?
Christal
I would definitely try sunflower seeds Ariel, but what I would do is mix the base with the dates and then stir in the sunflower seeds manually so they stay whole and give the base a little more crunch!
Sonja
Saw your recipe at Chocolate Covered Katie and it looks great. For the banana substitute rather than flax how about a thick chia seed pudding ? If so what amounts would you suggest ?
Thanks!
Christal
You could definitely give that a try! I would use quite a bit, probably about 3/4 of a cup of the chia pudding!
Michelle C.
My daughter is allergic to walnuts. Can I use just almonds….or sub for pecans?
Christal
Hey Michelle! Pecans would work great, or even cashews!!
JulS
I used pecans instead of walnuts and they were yummy!!
Christal
Fantastic! Yes pecans and walnuts I find are pretty similar, but really this recipe is great because you can use any type of nut in the base! Even cashews or hazelnuts would be yummy!
Justin
Christal, I have been wanting to make these for awhile, finally did, and wow! SO tasty! Thanks, I will be trying more and more of your recipes. You have a great blog, keep it up.
Christal
So glad you gave them a try Justin! Thanks for stopping by the blog
I promise you won’t be disappointed with the other recipes!!
Lou
OK so these have only just gone into the freezer but already I know they are going to be awesome (after licking spoon of topping!) I am training for the London Marathon and live on bananas, peanut butter and dried fruit for energy so these are right up my street. I ran out of dates so topped up with some dried cranberries. I also used 2 tbls honey and 2 agave and used peanut butter in the topping. I reckon some sour cherries would be yummy too! Fingers crossed they work out!
Christal
Wow Lou! Those changes sound delicious!!!
I will have to try them with my next batch!
Deb
I’ve been following your blog for a few weeks now, after a friend shared the healthy eat-more fudge square link. Discovering your blog came at a perfect time as my husband and I decided to be even more deliberate about eating clean and to make a huge change and go sugar free. The fudge squares have made the transition so easy as we have had a piece each night for the past 8 nights. My husband says this is teh best dessert I have ever made! Don’t know what we are going to do tomorrow! Probably make one of your other fabulous recipes! Thanks for the inspiration!
Christal
Thanks so much Deb! I’m so happy you and your husband have been able to work on making the transition to healthier eating with the help of my blog! Let me know what else you decide to try! I think you’d love the energy bars too – they are naturally sweet and a great healthy snack to have during the day when you get a little craving for something sugary!
Kathy
Thank you! I made it this evening and it was great! Our church is doing a Daniel Fast and everything was ok to use but the honey but I substituted it with agave. Thank you for posting!
Christal
That’s wonderful Kathy! I’m glad it was a hit! Agave is a great idea as a sub for the honey!
Holly Houg
I can’t wait to try these out! My hubby and kids aren’t big banana fans and can suspect even the slightest bit, so I think I’ll try 1 banana with the flax seed eggs and see how that goes. Thank you so much for the recipe and ideas!!!!!!!!!
Michele
Can you taste the bananas in the finished product? I’m not a banana fan, though I’m very much a fan of your general concept! If the banana taste does come through, what might be a good substitute? I have all-natural homemade apple and pear butters on hand. All natural peanut butter? Obviously the fat and calorie counts would go up, but I don’t mind, as long as processed sugar and gluten are kept out.
Christal
Hey Michele, Yes the banana taste does come through a bit, however… in the second batch I made, I used only one banana and then I put about half a cup of plain yogurt and a tsp of vanilla extract in the mix. I couldn’t taste any banana in those, the only thing is that the fudge portion doesn’t stay as soft in the freezer, its a little more frozen almost like a fudgesicle consistency, but not too frozen that you can’t bite into it!
Michele
My book club loved these, and I’m sure they’ll be a big hit with holiday company as well. Thanks so much for the original recipe and the decreased banana modification suggestions!
Christal
I am very happy to hear that!!
No problem!
Michelle
Ok, these are Ah-ma-zing!!!! I haven’t had a yummy, decadent, or brownie like treat in a really, really long time. This recipe is just heaven in my mouth! LOVE!!! Thanks for sharing. xox
-Tickled In Love
Christal
Thanks Michelle!
Randy Reichardt
Christal, I’ve looked high and low for a 9″x5″ baking pan. I cannot find one in any store, even Bed, Bath and Beyond. I have a 9″x13″, a 9″x11″, and an 8″x8″. I’ve seen 9″x5″ loaf pans. Where does one buy a 9″x5″ baking pan? ARGH!
Christal
You can use 8×8 for this one! That was my bad! Oops!
Randy Reichardt
Oh dang, I just saw your post. OK, next time I’ll try 8×8. Thanks, Christal.
Christal
Yes, because you used the 9×5 the mixture will be a lot thicker and will take longer to freeze through, but it will soon enough!
Try them in the morning when it’s hardened enough!
Randy Reichardt
So I tried making them in a 9×5 loaf pan. Been in the freezer for about 40 minutes, but the top part is still very liquidy. And I think I maybe didn’t flatten out the bottom part enough. Should I leave it in the freezer a lot longer? Your photos show the top smooth part to be quite stable.
Christal
Yes you can actually store these in the freezer!
Don’t cut until the top is nice and firm!
Foo
I’ve just made these and oh my god! They are incredible! I’m always looking out for sweet paleo treats.
The topping would make a perfect cake filling as well.
Thank you thank you thank you.
Christal
Hi!! I’m glad you love them! They would! I’m already trying to think of different ways to alter this recipe to make more amazing treats!
Sarah
Delicious! My daughter has a nut allergy, do you think I could do it with regular butter and without the nuts?
Christal
Unfortunately I just don’t think the recipe would turn out that way
The nuts are a key component to the base, and the nut butter to the top layer… I’m trying to think of what could be a workable substitute.. Hmmm! Let me think on that one!
Stella
Hi!
What can I use instead of almond butter? It’s not really easy to find here (italy)
Christal
Peanut butter would work fine! Or cashew butter!
Angelica
Looks great, anyway to substitute the bananas?
Christal
Hmmm. Good question.. the bananas work as a binding ingredient.. you could try black beans, or possibly make a “flax eggs” – try 5 tbsp of ground flax seed mixed with 2 tbsp of water, let sit for a good half hour till it becomes a gel consistency, and try that in the mix! Good luck!
Angelica
Thank you! I’ll let you know how they turn out.
The Healthy Epicurean
These look soooo good – can’t wait to try them. Thank you !
Christal
You’re very welcome!
Jenn@slim-shoppin
that looks amazing!!!
Christal
Oh they are!!
Lauren
Hi Christal, I just found your blog through Foodgawker…these bars look amazing!!! I can’t wait to try them out! It’s always nice to find other health-oriented blogs.
Christal
Thanks Lauren!
Qubuletz
These look lovely, but i wonder if i could soak the dates in rum, or cognac. Just for a bit of extra fun.
Christal
Sure!! These would make great “adult” treats too! What a great idea!
Kim
Also, could I use natural peanut butter instead of almond butter?
Christal
yup!
Kim
Three words… I. LOVE. YOU. Haha, thank you for such a delicious, chocolatey but healthy recipe!!
Randy Reichardt
So Christal, one must own a food processor to make this recipe, correct? In other words, a blender won’t do the trick, will it? And where does one buy pitted dates?
Christal
A food processor would work best but you could do this in a blender as well – the dates are found in the bulk section at the grocery store with the other dried fruit!
adihugatree
Looks amazing! Your black bean brownies are a hit at our house, friends gobble it up and I watch them patiently and then ask, “guess what it’s made of?” and of course their jaws drop when I reveal the answer… Great fun
This will be tried soon, too! Thanks!
Christal
Love it!!
They should love these too then!