Equipment Needed
- A high-powered blender or food processor
- A rubber spatula
- A small loaf pan, dish, or container (about 5×7 inches)
- Parchment paper (for easy removal)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, I line my container with a strip of parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides. This “sling” is a lifesaver—it means you can lift the whole block of fudge out perfectly later. Then, I take my very well-drained cottage cheese and add it to the blender along with the cocoa powder, honey, nut butter, vanilla, and that pinch of salt. I’ve learned that the order matters here: putting the wet ingredients in first helps everything blend smoothly from the bottom up.
Now, for the magic moment. I secure the lid tightly and start blending on low, then gradually increase to high. I let it run for a full 60-90 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides once with my spatula. The first time I made this, I didn’t blend it long enough and had tiny specks of cottage cheese—still tasty, but not perfectly smooth. Blending it until it’s completely silky and has the consistency of a thick chocolate mousse is key. You should hear the motor sound change to a smooth, consistent hum.
Once the mixture is utterly flawless and pourable, I pour it into my prepared dish. I use my spatula to spread it into an even layer, getting it into the corners. Here’s where I sometimes add my favorite flourish: a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt or some finely chopped almonds pressed into the top. It looks gorgeous and gives a wonderful little salty crunch against the creamy fudge.
Finally, the hardest part: the wait. I carefully place the dish in the freezer. I tested setting it in the fridge versus the freezer, and the freezer wins for the perfect firm-yet-creamy texture. It needs at least 3-4 hours to set completely, but I often leave it overnight. When I’m ready, I use the parchment paper to lift it out, place it on a cutting board, and slice it into squares. The clean cut of the knife through that dark, glossy fudge is so satisfying.(See the next page below to continue…)