Can't think of a yummy Vegan treat? Well, fudge

By C. Ann Jensen

April 4, 2008 | When many people hear that something is "Vegan" or "vegetarian" their immediate reaction is "gross!" There really isn't anything gross about Vegan or vegetarian food. It is like most food only minus the meat and or dairy. So put on your adventure shoes and hit the road because this Vegan recipe that will give you a run for your money.

I was recently told about Vegan fudge and I thought it was a lie. How can you make fudge without sweetened, condensed milk? This seemed impossible, but after much research I found a recipe that isn't just Vegan, it is some of the best fudge I have ever tasted. It uses an avocado as the base of the fudge. I changed some things in the recipe to produce a firmer fudge instead of a pudding-like fudge.

This fudge is smooth and creamy despite having no dairy in it, and it isn't hard like many fudges that call for heavy sugars. This recipe uses confectioner’s (powdered) sugar, which dissolve easier than refined sugar, giving the fudge a smoother texture .

If you aren't Vegan or you don't have intolerance to dairy this recipe is still good. Everyone I have given this fudge to has said it is delicious and possibly the best fudge they have tasted (the fudge was tested on a wide gamut of meat eaters and vegetarians) . Garren Tracy, who has never had fudge before due to his dairy allergy, said it reminded him of a brownie, "only better and without all the things I hate about brownies.” This is a fool-proof recipe even for beginning chefs.

You will need:

1 avocado
1ž2 cup earth balance (or butter if you are not Vegan)
1 cup cocoa powder
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/3 walnuts or marshmallows (optional)
1ž4 teaspoon baking soda
1ž2 teaspoon vanilla
Double boiler
Small baking tin (bread pan or pie tin works best)

Directions:

First put your double boiler on to boil. If you don't have a double boiler simply take two pots (one should be slightly bigger than the other but not by an epic proportion) and fill the bigger one halfway up with water. You will put all of your ingredients in the smaller pot with will rest in the bigger pot while the water boils, melting the ingredients.

Cut the avocado and gut it. Mash it up in a bowl with a fork until smooth (a few small lumps is OK).

Combine the avocado and 1ž2 cup of earth balance in the smaller double boiler pot. Stir gently with the whisk till combined and the butter is melted, and then add the vanilla.

Add each cup of sugar one at a time, stirring the sugar till smooth with each up added.

Add the baking soda and stir till combined.

Add the chocolate powder last a little bit at a time to ensure that it all gets mixed in. once it is combined add the walnuts (optional). If you are adding marshmallows remove the fudge from the heat before adding them so they don't melt into the fudge.

Take a spatula and scoop the fudge into your bread pan or pie tin. Spread it evenly through the pan and cover. Put it in the fridge to firm up or if you are in a hurry to eat it, stick it in the freezer.

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