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 difficult to process smaller amounts than that. 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, gluten-free)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 20 pieces
Ingredients
- 2 cups (340 grams) finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips1
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) full-fat canned coconut milk
- 1/4 cup (64 grams) toasted hazelnut butter2 (the kind with just hazelnuts)
- 4 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- a pinch of salt, optional
- 3/4 cups (83 grams) + 1/4 cup (28 grams) toasted hazelnuts, chopped, optional3
Directions
- 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.
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78 comments on “Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge (paleo, vegan)” — Add one!
2 comments are awaiting moderation!
I always have almond butter on hand, could I sub that for the hazelnut butter?
Hi, just wondering if this tastes at all of coconut?
Hi! Nope, as I said in the post, you can’t taste it at all. :)
I love this recipe!!
The first time I made these it worked beautifully. The second time I wasn’t able to cut squares since the fudge was very glossy and sticking completely to the parchment paper. Not sure what I did differently. If you have any ideas let me know :)
Hmm. That’s definitely very odd! Did you use the same exact ingredients both times? I’m happy it worked out well the first time! :)
Yummy and tasty blog thanks for sharing with us
i love these chocos.
Yay! Thanks for your comment. :)
If we buy those recommended choc chips from Amazon, will you receive some sort of commission rate by having an affiliate link? I’m just curious because if so this is helping you out and that’s a great thing. I am also looking out how to do this affiliate link thing to Amazon to gain some extra and well needed money.
If you’re in the US, I receive a small percentage but your cost doesn’t go up at all. :) I hope this little tutorial for setting up Amazon Affiliates helps! I don’t earn much money with it but it’s better than nothing. ;)
I made this with sunflower butter and made it just plain chocolate. It was exactly like REAL fudge! I’m making them for a Christmas party and I’ll be doing sun butter again and adding peppermint extract. Also a double batch so I can keep some for myself!
Woohoo! I’m so happy you enjoyed it and that you’ll be making it again. I’ve definitely got to try adding peppermint extract. Sounds delicious! Thanks a ton for your feedback. :)
I make this for my vegan family and we love it. I use walnuts sometimes. Also chocolate hazelnut butter. Thanks for sharing.this fudge will be my Christmas gifts this year.
Aww, yay! I’m happy you enjoy it enough to make as gifts. I hope they’ll be enjoyed! Thanks for your comment. :)
Could this be made with almond butter instead of hazelnut butter?
I’m pretty sure it could but I haven’t tried it. I hope you’ll enjoy it if you try it out! :)
You have blown my mind with this one! This has been moved to the very top of my ‘Get In My Belly’ list. From one very happy chocolate hazelnut lover, thank you!!
Yay! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. Thanks a bunch for your feedback! :)
Could this be made with honey instead of maple syrup? Also, do you know anything about using vanilla sticks or powder instead of extract? I have limited access to ingredients…
This recipe doesn’t yield much fudge so you I think you’d only need the seeds from 1/4 or even 1/8 vanilla pod. You can add more to taste if it’s not enough! I think honey would work fine but I haven’t tried it so I can’t guarantee it. But they’re both liquid so I’m hopeful. :) I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Paleo fudge is where it is at during the holidays and your fudge, Erin, looks divine! So sorry I missed commenting last month. The holidays can be crazy, but I didn’t want to miss sharing my feedback on this stellar recipe! Thanks for sharing. :) Cannot wait to make! xo
Don’t be sorry for not commenting! I only comment a few times a year so really… ;) And thanks so much for your nice comment!
This sounds scrumptious! I love the hazelnut butter you create to make it too.
Thanks so much! :)
Fudge is one of those candies that always remind me of Christmas. Plus when I travel if I see a fudge shop I’m all over it! I need it in my life and will run in and buy a pound of my standard peanut butter and then 1 pound of a fun new flavor. I can tell you this if I saw this fudge I would order a GIANT box and not share any ;)
Haha. So happy to hear that! :) And I’m the same. I have to have fudge if we come by a fudge shop!
Mmmmm, I just want to reach in and pinch a piece off!
Wouldn’t it be cool if they were possible? :D
Such a good fudge recipe! I love the hazelnuts mixed into it. Oh gosh…AND hazelnut butter? I’d be in heaven!
I bet you would be! ;)
Interesting! I never put much thought into “real” fudge – fudge-like treats I simply call “fudge” haha! I love the sound of this Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge. I’m off nuts for the time being but would love to try this recipe as soon as I can!!
Same here! I mean, what else can you call it? ;)
I love a rich and flavorful fudge this time of year. I can’t wait to try it!
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did! :)
Yeah, my Blendtec gets my nutella super smooth too! This fudge looks to die for.
Isn’t it amazing?! It makes such a huge difference.
Fudge made without sweetened condensed milk or marshmallow fluff? Woo-hoo!!
Hooray! :D
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