Sugar-Free Fudge Pops: A Keto Treat?

Sugar-free fudge pops are a delicious, chocolatey treat for those on a keto diet. They are made with a combination of heavy cream, milk, sweetener, and cocoa powder, and are frozen to create a creamy and rich dessert. With only a few grams of net carbs per serving, these fudge pops are a perfect summer treat for those following a keto diet or looking for a sugar-free option.

Sugar-free fudge pops recipe

Ingredients:

• Heavy cream (or canned coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
• Unsweetened almond milk (or any other low-carb milk)
• Sweetener (erythritol with a little allulose, or confectioner's Swerve)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutched cocoa for a deeper chocolate flavor)
• Vanilla extract
• Xanthan gum
• Popsicle sticks

Optional Ingredients:

• Additional flavorings such as peppermint extract or espresso powder
• Other extracts like caramel
• Whey protein or collagen peptides

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the cream, milk, sweetener, and cocoa powder.
• Bring to a boil and cook for one minute, stirring frequently.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
• Sprinkle the surface with xanthan gum and whisk briskly to combine.
• Let the mixture cool for at least 10 minutes, then pour it into popsicle molds.
• Freeze for 1 hour, then push the sticks two-thirds of the way into the popsicles and return to the freezer.
• Freeze until solid, about 5 more hours or overnight.
• To unmold the popsicles, heat some water in a kettle and run it over the outside of the mold for 5 to 10 seconds. Gently tug on the stick to remove the popsicle.

Tips:

• For keto popsicles, use wooden sticks instead of plastic ones as they grip the mixture better and are less likely to pull out.
• Feel free to experiment with different flavors and extracts.
• You can also add a bit of protein by mixing in some whey protein or collagen peptides.

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients

• Sugar-free dark chocolate chips
• Heavy cream
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Powdered monk fruit allulose blend
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Substitutions

• For a dairy-free option, coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk can be used in place of heavy cream.
• Any non-dairy milk can be used in place of almond milk, although the flavour may change slightly.
• Milk chocolate chips can be used instead of dark chocolate chips, but the chocolate taste will not be as strong.
• Other 1:1 sugar substitutes can be used in place of the monk fruit allulose blend, but the texture is best with this option.
• For a vegan option, use vegan whipped cream and vegan milk.

Nutritional value

The nutritional value of sugar-free fudge pops varies depending on the brand and recipe. Here is a breakdown of the nutritional information for different types of sugar-free fudge pops:

Fudgsicle No Sugar Added Fudge Pops:

These fudge pops contain nonfat milk, maltodextrin, sorbitol, polydextrose, cocoa processed with alkali, and small amounts of whey, palm oil, tricalcium phosphate, cellulose gel, mono and diglycerides, cellulose gum, malted barley extract, salt, guar gum, aspartame, polysorbate 80, acesulfame potassium, polysorbate 65, citric acid, carrageenan, natural and artificial flavor, locust bean gum, and caramel color. Each pop has approximately 40 calories, less than 1 gram of saturated fat, 45 mg of sodium, 2.5 grams of sugar, 9 grams of total carbs, 7 grams of net carbs, 1 gram of fat, and 1 gram of protein.

Homemade Keto Fudge Pops:

Some people prefer to make their own sugar-free fudge pops at home to ensure they comply with keto dietary restrictions. One such recipe includes heavy cream or canned coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk or other low-carb milk alternatives, a sweetener such as erythritol and allulose, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and xanthan gum. These homemade fudge pops have approximately 118 calories, 3.1 grams of carbohydrates, 101 calories from fat, and 1.6 grams of net carbs per popsicle.

Other Sugar-Free Fudge Pop Options:

There are also other recipes for sugar-free fudge pops that can be made keto-friendly. One recipe includes sugar-free chocolate, macadamia nut milk or other nut milk, confectioner's Swerve, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Another recipe is vegan and gluten-free and includes sugar-free chocolate pudding mix, almond milk or other vegan milk, and whipped topping. These fudge pops have approximately 40 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, 3 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 124 mg of sodium, 13 mg of potassium, 1 gram of fiber, and 3 grams of sugar.

Dairy-free options

There are several dairy-free options for those who want to make keto-friendly fudge pops. Here are some alternatives and recipes you can try:

Coconut Milk

Instead of using heavy cream, you can opt for canned coconut milk as a dairy-free alternative. This will give your fudge pops a creamy and decadent texture. You can also use coconut milk in place of almond milk or other types of milk.

Nut Milk

If you're not a fan of coconut milk, you can use any nut milk of your choice, such as macadamia nut milk, almond milk, or cashew milk. These options will help keep your fudge pops dairy-free while still providing a creamy texture.

Vegan Whipped Cream

For a completely vegan option, you can make the fudge pops with vegan whipped cream and almond milk or other vegan milk. This will ensure that your treats are free of any animal products while still tasting delicious.

Full-Fat Coconut Milk

For a rich and indulgent option, you can use full-fat coconut milk as the base for your fudge pops. This recipe calls for cacao powder, erythritol, unsweetened baking chocolate, and fresh strawberries. Simply melt all the ingredients together over low heat, then pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze.

Other Milk Alternatives

If you're not a fan of coconut or nut milk, you can also try other milk alternatives such as hemp milk, carb-reduced cow's milk, or even keto whole milk. Experiment with different options to find the one that best suits your taste and dietary preferences.

Remember, when making keto-friendly treats, it's important to choose the right sweeteners and ingredients to keep the carb count low. Erythritol, allulose, monk fruit extract, and stevia are popular choices for keto-friendly sweeteners. With these dairy-free options, you can enjoy delicious, creamy fudge pops that fit your dietary needs.

How to make sugar-free fudge pops

Ingredients

Depending on the recipe you choose to follow, you will need some or all of the following ingredients:

• Heavy cream or coconut cream
• Unsweetened almond milk, macadamia nut milk, or milk of your choice
• Sweetener (erythritol, allulose, Swerve, monk fruit liquid sweetener, powdered erythritol, or other powdered sweetener)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Additional flavourings (vanilla extract, peppermint extract, espresso powder, or salt)
• Xanthan gum
• Sugar-free chocolate
• Confectioner's Swerve

Method

Again, the method you follow will depend on the recipe you choose, but here is a general overview:

• Combine the cream, milk, sweetener, and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk together and bring to a boil, cooking for one minute while stirring frequently.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and any other additional flavourings.
• If using xanthan gum, sprinkle it over the surface of the mixture and whisk briskly to combine.
• Allow the mixture to cool for at least 10 minutes, then pour it into popsicle moulds.
• Freeze for 1 hour, then push the sticks two-thirds of the way into the popsicles and return to the freezer. Freeze until solid (about 5-6 hours or overnight).
• To unmold the popsicles, heat some water in a kettle and run it over the outside of the mould for 5-10 seconds. Gently tug on the stick to remove the popsicle.

Frequently asked questions