Vegan Hazelnut Chocolate Fudge Recipe
This Vegan Fudge recipe combines rich dark chocolate with creamy almond butter and roasted hazelnuts, sweetened naturally with condensed coconut milk. Perfectly smooth with a hint of sea salt, this plant-based treat is a deliciously indulgent yet dairy-free dessert option that sets firmly in the fridge and can be enjoyed over several days.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Dry Ingredients
- ⅔ cup (90-100g) hazelnuts
- 12 ounces (340g) dark chocolate chips or chunks (60%-70% cacao)
- Sea salt (to taste, about ¼ teaspoon for sprinkling and pinch or two during mixing)
Wet Ingredients
- 8 ounces (227g) sweetened condensed coconut milk
- ½ cup (125g) unsweetened, creamy almond butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (not artificial)
- Roast Hazelnuts: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Spread the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and roast on the middle rack for 10-13 minutes until fragrant and toasty. Smaller hazelnuts may need only 10 minutes.
- Remove Skins: Transfer hazelnuts immediately to a clean thin dish towel. Wrap tightly and steam the nuts inside for 2 minutes. Rub the towel vigorously to loosen skins. It’s fine if not all skins come off. Once cool enough, roughly chop the hazelnuts; no need for fine chopping.
- Prepare Pan: Lightly oil an 8×4-inch or 9×5-inch loaf pan or an 8×8-inch square baking pan. Line it with parchment paper, pressing the paper to stick to the oil coating but make sure oil doesn’t get in the fudge.
- Melt Chocolate Mixture: Place the sweetened condensed coconut milk and dark chocolate in a heat-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 90 seconds. Let it rest for 1 minute without touching, then whisk thoroughly with a silicone whisk until smooth and completely melted. If needed, microwave an additional 15 seconds for low wattage microwaves.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: While the chocolate mixture is warm, stir in the almond butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch or two of sea salt. Whisk until fully combined; the mixture will be thick. Fold in the chopped hazelnuts gently using a silicone spatula.
- Set Fudge: Transfer the fudge mixture into the prepared pan. Use a silicone spatula or your fingers to spread it evenly. Lightly sprinkle the surface with about ¼ teaspoon of sea salt.
- Chill Until Firm: Place the pan in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours until the fudge is set. Before slicing, allow the fudge to come to room temperature for easier cutting.
- Serve and Store: For an enhanced sweet-salty experience, add a pinch of flaky sea salt before serving. Store leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or refrigerate for longer storage. The fudge can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use pure vanilla extract for the best natural flavor; avoid artificial vanilla.
- Oiling the pan helps the parchment paper to stick but does not add oil to the fudge itself.
- If your microwave wattage is low, add extra melting time in small increments to avoid burning the chocolate.
- Not all hazelnut skins need to be removed; partial removal improves texture without much effort.
- The fudge is best enjoyed after chilling fully but tastes great once brought to room temperature.
- Store properly to maintain freshness and texture for up to a few weeks or freeze for longer preservation.
Keywords: vegan fudge, dairy-free fudge, chocolate fudge, hazelnut fudge, no-bake dessert, plant-based sweets