Keto Low-Carb Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Fudge
Overview
When you’re following a ketogenic (keto) or low-carb lifestyle, satisfying your sweet tooth can sometimes feel like a challenge. However, there are countless delicious alternatives to traditional desserts that not only comply with your low-carb and keto goals but also taste incredible. One such treat is this Keto Low-Carb Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Fudge, which combines the rich, creamy flavor of cream cheese with the nutty goodness of peanut butter. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures—creamy, rich, and sweet, with a satisfying crunch.
Unlike traditional fudge, this recipe contains no sugar, making it ideal for anyone following a keto or low-carb diet. Additionally, it’s made with ingredients that provide healthy fats and protein, helping you stay satisfied and maintain energy levels. This treat is perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings without throwing you off track from your diet goals.
In this recipe, you’ll discover how to create a smooth, creamy, and indulgent peanut butter fudge with just a few simple ingredients. We’ve carefully selected keto-friendly ingredients to ensure this dessert is low-carb, high-fat, and packed with flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Low-Carb Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Fudge
- Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly: With no sugar and minimal carbs, this fudge is a perfect fit for keto diets and low-carb meal plans.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe requires only a few simple ingredients and a little patience to set in the fridge. You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a mixing bowl and a baking pan!
- No-Bake Recipe: Since this fudge doesn’t require baking, it’s perfect for a quick and easy dessert or snack when you’re in a hurry.
- Rich in Healthy Fats: Thanks to the peanut butter and cream cheese, this recipe provides a satisfying amount of healthy fats to keep you full and energized.
- Versatile: You can easily customize this fudge with ingredients like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of sea salt for added flavor.
SmartPoints Overview
For those who follow Weight Watchers (WW), this low-carb, high-fat treat is also a great choice. Here’s a breakdown of the SmartPoints based on a serving of this recipe:
- SmartPoints per Serving (Green Plan): 3 SmartPoints
- SmartPoints per Serving (Blue Plan): 3 SmartPoints
- SmartPoints per Serving (Purple Plan): 2 SmartPoints
Note that the exact SmartPoints may vary depending on the brand of ingredients used, so always double-check the nutritional labels. For those on the keto or low-carb diet, this fudge is an ideal dessert, offering minimal carbs and no sugar to disrupt your diet.
Ingredients
This Keto Low-Carb Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Fudge recipe requires a few key ingredients, each selected to ensure you get the maximum flavor and texture while keeping it low in carbs and high in healthy fats.
For the Fudge:
- Cream Cheese – 8 oz (227g), softened – Provides a rich and creamy base for the fudge. Cream cheese adds both flavor and texture to the fudge, making it smooth and indulgent.
- Peanut Butter (unsweetened, natural) – ½ cup (128g) – The main flavor of this fudge comes from the peanut butter, which adds a nutty richness and a creamy texture. Use peanut butter with no added sugar or oils for the best results.
- Butter (unsalted) – ¼ cup (56g) – Adds extra creaminess and helps solidify the fudge as it chills. Butter also enhances the rich flavor of the dessert.
- Erythritol or Monk Fruit Sweetener – ½ cup (120g) – A zero-carb, keto-friendly sweetener to replace sugar and provide the sweetness you crave without spiking your blood sugar. Erythritol is a popular choice because it has no aftertaste and doesn’t cause digestive issues for most people.
- Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon – A natural flavor enhancer that adds depth to the overall taste of the fudge.
- Salt – ¼ teaspoon – A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors, especially with the rich peanut butter and cream cheese.
- Heavy Cream – 2 tablespoons – Adds richness and smoothness to the fudge, helping it set to a creamy consistency.
- Optional Add-ins: If you’d like to mix up the texture or flavor, consider adding a small handful of chopped nuts (like pecans or almonds) or a sprinkle of low-carb chocolate chips.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
While this fudge is simple to make, it does require a few basic kitchen tools:
- Mixing Bowls – One large bowl for combining the wet ingredients and one small bowl for mixing the dry ingredients.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – To ensure precise measurements of ingredients.
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer – While a hand mixer isn’t strictly necessary, it will help you achieve a smooth, well-mixed batter.
- Spatula – For scraping the sides of the bowl and ensuring all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- 8×8-inch Baking Pan or a similar-sized dish – To spread and chill the fudge.
- Parchment Paper – To line the pan and make removing the fudge easier after it sets.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Start by lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift the fudge out of the pan after it has set. The parchment paper also helps prevent sticking, ensuring that your fudge comes out in neat, clean pieces.
Pro Tip: For even easier removal, you can lightly grease the parchment paper with a bit of butter or coconut oil.
Step 2: Soften the Cream Cheese
Place the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it for 20-30 seconds, or until soft. Alternatively, you can leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes. The cream cheese should be soft but not melted.
This step is crucial to ensure that the cream cheese blends smoothly with the peanut butter and sweetener, creating a velvety fudge texture.
Step 3: Blend the Peanut Butter, Butter, and Cream Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, unsalted butter, and softened cream cheese. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to blend the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
Pro Tip: If the peanut butter is too thick, you can microwave it for a few seconds to make it easier to mix.
Step 4: Add Sweeteners and Flavorings
Next, add the erythritol (or your preferred keto-friendly sweetener), vanilla extract, and salt to the peanut butter and cream cheese mixture. Continue mixing until the sweetener is fully dissolved, and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
You may want to taste the mixture at this point to check the sweetness. If it needs more sweetness, add more erythritol, a little at a time.
Step 5: Add Heavy Cream
Slowly pour in the heavy cream and mix until fully incorporated. The heavy cream will help the fudge achieve its smooth, creamy texture and aid in the setting process.
Pro Tip: For an even richer texture, you can add a little extra heavy cream, but be cautious as it could alter the firmness of the fudge when it chills.
Step 6: Pour the Mixture into the Pan
Transfer the peanut butter cream cheese mixture to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly across the pan, smoothing out the top.
If you want to add texture, you can sprinkle chopped nuts or low-carb chocolate chips on top before placing the fudge in the fridge to set.
Step 7: Chill the Fudge
Refrigerate the fudge for at least 2-4 hours, or until it has set completely. If you’re in a hurry, you can place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes for quicker setting. The fudge will firm up and become easy to cut into squares once it’s properly chilled.
Pro Tip: If you want your fudge to have a firmer texture, you can freeze it and keep it in the freezer for longer storage.
Step 8: Slice and Serve
Once the fudge has set, remove it from the pan using the parchment paper. Use a sharp knife to slice it into small squares, typically about 16-20 pieces, depending on your desired serving size.
Enjoy a piece (or two!) and store the remaining fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Alternatively, you can store it in the freezer for longer shelf life.
Nutritional Information (per Serving)
Here’s the nutritional breakdown for each serving (1 piece of fudge, approximately 16-20 pieces):
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Net Carbs: 3g
- Sugars: 1g (from erythritol or your sweetener)
- Sodium: 90mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- WW SmartPoints (Green Plan): 3 points per serving
- WW SmartPoints (Blue Plan): 3 points per serving
- WW SmartPoints (Purple Plan): 2 points per serving
Final Thoughts
This Keto Low-Carb Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Fudge is the ultimate guilt-free treat for anyone following a keto or low-carb diet. It’s simple to make, requires no baking, and is packed with rich, satisfying flavors that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion, meal prepping for the week, or simply treating yourself, this fudge offers a perfect blend of creamy, nutty goodness without the sugar and carbs.
Try making a batch today, and enjoy a keto-friendly dessert that’s sure to satisfy your cravings and keep you on track with your low-carb goals.