Healthy Pumpkin Fudge – dairy, gluten, refined sugar free

Fall is right around the corner.  And if you live in the desert like I do you’re trying to hurry it a lil bit!  Enter a fall favorite to get one excited about temperatures below 90 : )
This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin you have from other dishes.  Yet, it’s good enough to warrant buying and roasting one just for this delectable fudgey goodness (canned is definitely an option though). It’s just sweet enough for 1 square to be satisfying, yet the use of coconut creme and the added protein boost ingredient will make you feel even better about it as a dessert.  The taste is a sweet, cinnamony pumpkin just like youd’e expect from…well,  “pumpkin” fudge.  The consistency is somewhat soft at room temperature but still holds its shape.  Keep it chilled for a more candy-like effect.
A great serving idea is to cut a square up in small chunks and mix in or top homemade pumpkin ice cream! Yum! This makes 16 small squares.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar (or a combo of this with stevia if you want to keep the sugars ultra low)
• Few drops of vanilla
• 2 T brazil nut protein powder (rice protein powder can be used)
• 1 T cinnamon
• 1/2 t ground ginger
• pinch sea salt
• 1/2 cup coconut cream (room temp, pourable)
• 2 T coconut oil (room temp, pourable)

Instructions:

1. Prepare a small square container lined with parchment or plastic wrap.
2. Whisk the pumpkin, sugar and vanilla until sugar has dissolved.
3. Add protein powder, cinnamon, ginger and salt until combined.
4. Stir in vigorously the coconut cream and oil until uniform.
5. Spread in prepared pan and refrigerate until set.

• Lift parchment or plastic wrap out of dish releasing fudge.
• Cut into squares and keep refrigerated until serving.

Nutritional benefits:
Pumpkin flesh is a very low calorie fibrous vegetable.  Rich in many anti-oxidants including Pro Vitamin-A, it provides 246% of the RDA per 100 grams. Vitamin A is required by the body for maintaining skin, mucus membranes and good vision.  Research suggests that foods rich in this vitamin help protect against lung and oral cavity cancers. Pumpkin is also a good source of B-complex vitamins like folates, niacin, B-6, thiamin and panthothenic acid. (1)
READ MORE:
http://news.therawfoodworld.com/healthy-pumpkin-fudge-dairy-gluten-refined-sugar-free/