Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (4 Ingredients) (2024)

This easy pumpkin fudge recipe is a crowd-pleasing dessert that’ll satisfy all the die-hard pumpkin fans in your life. Made with creamy cashew butter and perfectly sweetened pumpkin, it’s a foolproof recipe that gets better with every bite!

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (4 Ingredients) (1)

No bake desserts are a big deal in my house, as they should be. I mean, to be able to whip up a decadent dessert without spending hours in the kitchen, how cool is that? Honestly, it almost feels like cheating.

When I can combine my love of easy desserts with my love of all things pumpkin, it’s even better. That’s why I’ve been making pumpkin brownies, pumpkin bars, and pumpkin-spiced fudge nonstop.

Table of Contents
  1. Recipe highlights
  2. What is pumpkin fudge made of?
  3. How to make pumpkin fudge
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More no-bake desserts to try
  8. Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (Recipe Card)

Recipe highlights

  • 4 ingredients. Just 4 simple ingredients, plus some optional spices, are all you need to make this easy fudge recipe.
  • Healthy. No granulated sugar and no sweetened condensed milk are needed, yet you still get irresistibly decadent fudge.
  • A chocolate-free fudge recipe. Look, not everyone loves chocolate as much as I do, and while this breaks my heart, I get it. Unlike most pumpkin fudge recipes, this one has no white chocolate.
  • Dairy-free. Like maple fudge, this recipe is made without any evaporated milk, so it’s totally vegan-friendly.

What I enjoy most about this recipe is how easy it is to make! Just combine the ingredients in a bowl, then transfer them to your baking dish and let it set in the fridge. No candy thermometer or tons of hands-on time is needed. Like my sugar cookie bars, it’s the perfect make-ahead treat.

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (4 Ingredients) (2)

What is pumpkin fudge made of?

As I mentioned, this recipe uses just a few basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Cashew butter. I prefer cashew butter over other nut butters because it’s relatively mild in flavor, so the pumpkin really stands out. That said, if you’d rather use almond butter or tahini for a nut-free version, you certainly can.
  • Maple syrup. Sweetens the bars and adds a complimentary caramelized flavor. I’ve also used agave, and it works great.
  • Pumpkin puree. Look for pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling, which will have sugar and spices already added.
  • Coconut oil. Helps to hold the fudge together at room temperature. I also tried using butter, and while it did work, the fudge was quite oily and didn’t hold together well.
  • Pumpkin pie spice. Optional, but definitely a good idea if you want to impart even more pumpkin flavor. When I’m out of pumpkin pie spice, I’ll use cinnamon and nutmeg.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make pumpkin fudge

Step 1- Prep work. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish or baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2- Make the batter. In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, melt the cashew butter with coconut oil. Add maple syrup, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice, stirring to combine.

Step 3- Transfer and chill. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan and refrigerate until firm.

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (4 Ingredients) (3)

Recipe tips and variations

  • Leave some parchment paper sticking out. When you line the baking dish with parchment, leave enough sticking out that you can use it to help pop out the fudge once it’s set. That way, you won’t have to risk making a sticky mess. Ask me how I know…
  • Add mix-ins. While I like usually like my fudge to be smooth and creamy, sometimes I’ll stir in some roasted pecans, pumpkin seeds, or white chocolate chips for a little texture.
  • Cut the fudge when it’s fully set. My #1 tip for fudge is to make sure it’s totally firm before trying to slice it. And make sure to use a sharp knife!
  • Use up the extra pumpkin. This recipe calls for just ½ cup of pumpkin puree, so if you’re wondering what to do with the rest of the can, I suggest making pumpkin balls or pumpkin blondies.
  • Bump up the pumpkin. When I’m really feeling the holiday season (especially Thanksgiving), I like to add a few teaspoons of pumpkin spice to the batter.
  • Add vanilla extract. I thought this fudge was flavorful enough as is, but you could add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to really amp up the flavor.

Storage instructions

To store: Store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

To freeze: Freeze leftover fudge in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. I like to separate the layers of fudge with parchment paper so they don’t stick. Let the frozen fudge thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (4 Ingredients) (4)

Frequently asked questions

What is the secret to good fudge?

I’ve found that the secret to making REALLY good fudge is to use high-quality ingredients, avoid overheating the fudge, and allow it to fully set before slicing.

More no-bake desserts to try

  • Peanut brittle– Easy 3-ingredient brittle with no corn syrup needed.
  • Chickpea cookie dough– Cookie dough you’re encouraged to eat straight out of the bowl!
  • Millionaire shortbread- Buttery crust, gooey caramel filling, and rich chocolate, what sounds better than that?
  • Tiramisu cookies– Easy no-bake cookies that taste just like the classic dessert.
  • Oreo dip– A current fan-favorite in our house!

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (4 Ingredients) (5)

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe

5 from 43 votes

This easy pumpkin fudge recipe is a crowd-pleasing dessert that’ll satisfy all the die-hard pumpkin fans in your life. Made with creamy cashew butter and perfectly sweetened pumpkin, it’s a foolproof recipe that gets better with every bite!

Servings: 30 servings

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 2 minutes mins

Total: 7 minutes mins

Rate This Recipe

Print

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Line an 8 x 8 baking dish wish aluminium tin foil or baking paper and set aside.

  • In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, melt your cashew butter with coconut oil. Add your pure maple syrup then stir through your pumpkin puree until fully combined. Top with optional pumpkin pie spice.

  • Pour mixture into lined baking dish and refrigerate until firm.

Notes

TO STORE. Store leftover fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

TO FREEZE. Freeze leftover fudge in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. I like to separate the layers of fudge with parchment paper so they don’t stick. Let the frozen fudge thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 142kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 636IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 7g

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Arman Liew

Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Recipe originally October 2019 but updated to include new information for your benefit.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsem*nt, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (4 Ingredients) (2024)

FAQs

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

What's the main ingredients in fudge? ›

This delicious fudge recipe is easy to make in the microwave with just 3 ingredients: chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter. Add nuts, mini marshmallows, or candy before chilling to make this treat even more decadent, or try peanut butter chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips to make peanut butter fudge.

What is peanut butter fudge made of? ›

INGREDIENTS: sugar, water, brown sugar, peanut butter (roasted peanuts, dextrose, hydrogenated vegetable oil [rapeseed, cottonseed, soybean], salt), corn syrup solids, butter (cream, salt), cream powder (cream, nonfat milk solids, sodium caseinate), palm oil with soya lecithin, salt, vanillin - an artificial flavor.

What is the nutritional value of pumpkin fudge? ›

Pumpkin fudge contains 180 calories per 42 g serving. This serving contains 7 g of fat, 0 g of protein and 29 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 24 g sugar and 0 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate. Pumpkin fudge contains 6 g of saturated fat and 5 mg of cholesterol per serving.

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

What is the secret to smooth fudge that is not gritty? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

It's the size of sugar crystals that makes the knees of fudge lovers buckle…the smaller the crystals, the less they are perceived on the tongue and the more the fudge tastes smooth and creamy. Cooking, and beating after cooking, is the key to successful fudge.

What happens if you forget the vanilla in fudge? ›

There are lots of fudge recipes around which don't use vanilla at all (it's a treat which is very open to experimentation in general). So if you don't add vanilla, it won't taste like vanilla, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will taste bad, have the wrong consistency or behave differently when cooked and cooled.

What makes fudge hard or soft? ›

The amount of time you cook fudge directly affects its firmness. Too little time and the water won't evaporate, causing the fudge to be soft. Conversely, cook it too long and fudge won't contain enough water, making it hard with a dry, crumbly texture.

What's the difference between Russian fudge and regular fudge? ›

Golden syrup – is what makes this recipe Russian fudge-style! The added golden syrup gives that extra sweetness and silky texture. Vanilla extract – to give the taste of vanilla to the fudge.

Why won t my peanut butter fudge harden? ›

Why is my fudge not setting? It sounds like your fudge simply wasn't heated enough. ... If it's overcooked (resulting in grainy fudge) or undercooked (resulting in poor setting) all you really need to do is add a bit of cream, reheat the fudge to the target temperature, and let it set again.

What is the ball method fudge? ›

According to most recipes, the ingredients of fudge are cooked to what is termed in kitchen parlance the soft ball stage, that point between 234 and 240 °F (112 and 115 °C) at which a small ball of the candy dropped in ice water neither disintegrates nor flattens when picked up with the fingers.

Is pumpkin better for you than sweet potato? ›

However, if you place the two in a side-by-side comparison, sweet potato generally outpaces pumpkin in its nutritional makeup from vitamin A to fiber to protein. While pumpkin is a light, low sugar option, sweet potatoes do more heavy lifting and will ultimately feed your body more essential nutrients.

Is fudge good or bad for you? ›

Whether it's chocolate, nut-filled or even swirled with peanut butter, fudge is a holiday favorite. But clocking in at around 130 calories and 5 grams of fat per ounce, this rich treat is far from a healthy choice. ... Fudge also boasts very little in terms of health.

Is canned pumpkin good for you? ›

Canned pumpkin is just as nutritious as purée made from scratch, and it's much easier and more convenient, Ms. Lynett said. Just be sure to buy plain pumpkin purée and not pumpkin pie filling, which can have added sugar and sodium and may not provide as much fiber, she added.

How do you fix fudge that won't set? ›

How can you fix soft fudge? Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

What is the problem if fudge is not setting? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

How do you fix runny fudge? ›

If your fudge is soft or runny, it probably didn't come up to a high enough temperature while it was cooking. Put it back into the saucepan and add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 ml) of 35% fat whipping cream. Stir the fudge as it heats, but only until the sugar in the chocolate is completely melted again.

Why won t my fudge firm up? ›

The most common culprit behind unset fudge is inaccurate temperature control. If the sugar mixture hasn't reached the correct temperature, your fudge won't set. Ensure you use a reliable candy thermometer and follow temperature guidelines meticulously to achieve the desired consistency.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 6418

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.