This recipe is a favorite midday treat for me. I love the “Nutella”ness of the raw cacao and toasted hazelnuts, because I too once ate my way to the bottom of many Nutella jars. But, you grow up and start looking at what goes into your food, and a quick glance at the nutrition label on Nutella should send you running in the other direction.
Two tablespoons of Nutella contain 21 grams of sugar, the equivalent of 5 teaspoons of sugar.
With this recipe you’re getting all the goodness of a sweet chocolately hazelnut treat but cutting out all the sugar and fat! Plus chia seeds are a nutrient dense food that provide a great boost of energy, perfect for a midday slump. Satisfy your sweet tooth and give yourself a light and energizing snack that won’t compromise your health and wellness.
- ⅓ cup chia seeds
- 1½ cups almond milk (non-dairy milk of choice)
- ½ cup hazelnuts- toasted
- 2 Tablespoons raw cacao powder
- 2 Tablespoons pure maple
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅛ teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1-2 drops pure hazelnut extract *
- Preheat oven too 375°F - place hazelnuts on baking sheet topped with foil and bake 5 minutes, remove and roll nuts around and put back into oven for additional 3-5 minutes. You want nuts golden, not burnt!
- Let nuts cool and then rub skins off the best you can.
- Place milk,1/4 cup hazelnuts, maple, vanilla and salt- into high powered blender or food processor. Blend on high until all ingredients are liquified. (Takes about 30 seconds on Blendtec)
- Add Cacao powder and blend for about 15 seconds until combined, can be at a slightly lower setting.
- Add chia, and blend on lowest speed for about 10 seconds.
- Divide evenly into jars, cover and place in fridge overnight.
- When you're ready to eat- add fruit/topping of choice and remaining ¼ cup nuts to top of pudding.( I broke my nuts up into smaller pieces. )
- Get down and do a dance- it’s that good.
You can use any fruit that you wish, but I highly recommend peaches be included in the mix. Stone fruits are in peak season, and big/juicy organic peaches can be found at your local store/farmers markets.
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