Cozy up with our Nutmeg-Spiced Apple Fudge – a holiday treat that tastes like apple pie met a silky square of fudge. Made with simple pantry staples and ready in just a few easy steps (stir, press, chill), it’s naturally sweet, budget-friendly, and perfect for gifting or last-minute dessert trays.
Pair with tea after dinner, tuck into lunchboxes, or add to your cookie boxes – these creamy, spiced bites are the kind of effortless recipe we love to share at Pinch of Bites.
The science
Nutmeg is natural mood booster that helps you stay calm and happy. Nutmeg has compounds like myristicin that support neurotransmitters like serotonin, which may help reduce stress. A small pinch of nutmeg can add a comforting flavor to eggnog, soups, or roasted veggies and give you a mood boost, too.
The main psychoactive components in nutmeg, myristici and elemicin, are believed to influence the central nervous system by modulating serotonin and dopamine pathways, which helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Myristicin also inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme that breaks down serotonin and norepinephrine, allowing these neurotransmitters to remain active longer.
Additionally, nutmeg contains anti-inflammatory compounds that inhibit COX-2, a key enzyme involved in the inflammatory process, making it useful for reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and promoting gut health.
Nutmeg-Spiced Apple Fudge
Ingredients
- 4 oz (125g) Homemade Apple Butter see the recipe below (or in our website)
- 4.5 oz (130g) natural peanut butter (no added oils)
- 3.5 fl oz. (100ml) melted refined coconut oil
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (adjust to taste)
Homemade Apple Butter
- 3 lbs (1.4 kg) apples, cored & chopped
- 2 fl oz (60ml) water
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together apple butter, peanut butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and nutmeg until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 1-2 hours or until firm.
- Once set, lift the fudge out of the pan, place it on a cutting board, and cut into 1-inch squares.
For the Homemade Apple Butter (about 1.6 lbs. (750g))
- Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the apples into applesauce, or mash with a fork for a chunkier texture.
- Continue cooking on low heat, uncovered, for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every few minutes until thickened.
- Once thick, transfer to a glass jar. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage.
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