Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge (paleo, vegan)
This rich and creamy chocolate hazelnut fudge is full of hazelnut flavor thanks to the addition of hazelnut butter! Paleo-friendly, vegan and gluten-free.
My last two fudge recipes weren’t exactly fudge. They were fudge-like candy. This chocolate hazelnut fudge recipe, though, is for real fudge. And I’d consider it a little healthier than your typical fudge! There’s no sweetened condensed milk, marshmallow fluff, or any such stuff in here.
It’s just chopped chocolate, hazelnut butter (not Nutella!), coconut milk, a little maple syrup, and vanilla. And hazelnuts, if you’d like. I prefer my fudge without add-ins, and the hazelnut flavor is quite evident without the chopped hazelnuts, so I make mine without. However, I’m vain and wanted my fudge to be pretty for the pictures, so I added chopped hazelnuts. ;)
To make your own hazelnut butter, process 1 1/2 cups (165 grams) toasted and preferably blanched hazelnuts in a Blendtec or a food processor. Process until creamy and smooth like natural peanut butter. You don’t actually need that much nut butter for this recipe, but I find it challenging to process smaller amounts. If you don’t want to eat the leftover hazelnut butter plain, you could use it in these hazelnut cookies or this homemade chocolate hazelnut butter.
If you use a food processor, the hazelnut butter won’t be totally without any tiny bits of hazelnuts (and therefore neither will your fudge). If you use a Blendtec, it’ll be just as smooth as store-bought. So if you have the option, definitely go with that! Both ways are delicious, so if you don’t have a Blendtec, don’t let that hold you back.
And unlike my last fudge recipe (this peanut butter fudge), you don’t have to boil anything. You just melt everything together! You could even make this in the microwave if you wanted.
I haven’t tried this with any other nut butters or cream instead of coconut milk, but if you feel like experimenting, let me know how it goes. :) By the way, you can’t taste the coconut milk at all. All you taste is chocolate and hazelnut.
I cut this fudge straight out of the refrigerator, assuming it’d be melty at room temperature. But I was wrong. It’s firm, just like traditional fudge is at room temperature. And it’s easier to cut at room temperature than when cold!
If you’ve made paleo or vegan fudge before, then you probably know it often melts at room temperature due to the coconut oil. Like this chocolate peanut butter fudge – it’s super delicious but has to be chilled.
If you’re like me and love the chocolate hazelnut combination, try these gluten-free chocolate hazelnut muffins from Flippin’ Delicious!
If you want to make this chocolate hazelnut fudge paleo-friendly, vegan and dairy-free, make sure to use these chocolate chips. It seems like a majority of people consider them paleo, but if you disagree with that, here’s some healthy chocolate hazelnut fudge I posted a few years ago. It uses cocoa powder, coconut oil and honey instead of chocolate. Enjoy! :D
Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge (paleo, vegan)
Ingredients
- 2 cups (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) full-fat canned coconut milk
- 1/4 cup (64 grams) hazelnut butter toasted, (the kind with just hazelnuts)
- 4 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt optional
- 3/4 cups + 1/4 cup (83 grams + 28 grams) hazelnuts toasted, chopped, optional
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, mix everything, except for the hazelnuts, together. Melt over low heat while frequently stirring. Meanwhile, prepare a 9″x5″ loaf pan with a piece of parchment paper.
- Once the mixture is melted, add 3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, if using. Pour the fudge into the prepared pan. Let sit for about 20 minutes and then sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts over the top of the fudge. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. You can cut this when cold but it’s easier when at room temperature. Store at room temperature for 1 day and then refrigerate. It’d likely stay well for much longer than 1 day at room temperature but I figure I’d better stay on the safe side and say 1 day due to the hazelnut butter.
Notes
- Use these chocolate chips for paleo / vegan / dairy-free.
- See the post for directions on how you can make your own hazelnut butter.
- To toast hazelnuts, place on a baking tray and bake at 350 °F (165 °C) for about 5-8 minutes or until they smell toasty. Shake the pan halfway through. Let cool for 5 minutes and then place the nuts in the middle of a clean tea towel and rubs off the skin. Discard the skin. You could alternatively toast them in a pan on the stove top.
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.
I pinned this to so many boards the other day – it looks so incredible. I’ve already added it to my holiday “baking” list!
Aww, thanks so much! And I hope you’ll enjoy it. :)
I’ve never made hazelnut butter before but I love hazelnuts. I really need to make it, and this fudge. It looks so rich a chocolaty. I just love all those chopped, toasted hazelnuts you’ve mixed in too. Creamy and crunchy. Two of my favorite things!
You have to try it! Such yummy stuff. :)
This dessert is like a paleo Nutella fudge! I’m loving it. And I’m sure my waistline would love it too :)
It’s still got plenty of calories but at least it’s not full of weird stuff. ;) At least that’s what I’m telling myself!
This is a treat that is a problem for me. I’m not even the craziest chocolate lover, but homemade fudge is hard to resist. I would have to give this away as soon as I would make it, because I wouldn’t eat just one piece!! ha!!!
Haha. I know how that goes! I think most treats are a problem for me. :D
This is MY kind of fudge! You made some perfect slices too. I love the ingredients!
Haha. Really?! I thought they were a mess. So thanks! :D
This seems so easy to make – love that you can even melt everything together in the microwave! Quick and easy :)
Right?! Hooray for easy recipes! :D
You are enabling me in the most delicious way!
Haha. This made me laugh. Thank you. :D
I very much want a piece or ten of this fudge! So rich and delish!
And I so wish I could share! ;)
My oh my. I love fudge, It’s probably the one sweet treat I miss most…well I still get some, just a few tiny bites here and there, vs an entire batch. This looks absolutely wonderful.
Thanks! And a few tiny bites is definitely better than an entire batch of this. It’s quite rich. ;)
I love hazelnuts and chocolate together; it has such a ‘grown up’ flavour!
I guess it does, doesn’t it?! I never thought about that before.
Love what an easy recipe this is for fudge. Definitely an easy one to whip up and pass out as gifts for some friends!
This would make a great gift! :)
Chocolate and hazelnut is basically the best combo everrrr I’ve got to make this fudge!!!
Yes! I hope you do! :)
One of my all time favorite fudges. Thanks.
You’re welcome! :)
These are so tempting! You’ll never go wrong with chocolate and hazelnut! Love this combo!YUM YUM!
I totally agree! Such a great combination. :)
I’ve never made fudge or any other candy except peanut butter balls. Just never been into making candy. Looks delicious though.
Aww! You should give it a try some time. It’s so easy and yummy. :)
Beautiful, what a great gift for the holidays!
Thanks so much! And I agree – this would be a great gift. :)
This is the perfect treat to bring to work. Thanks!
I hope they’ll enjoy it! :)
YES, this looks absolutely incredible! I seriously have to make this!
I hope you will! :)
Oh my!! Such a gorgeous looking fudge! I love how easy it is :)
Thanks so much, Katrina!
I adore hazelnuts! They remind me so much of my home in Europe – hazelnuts are a staple in baking over there and they impart the best flavor. This fudge looks amazing!
Haha. It’s me! I know. :D