Raw Vegan Nutella Cupcakes
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These Raw Vegan Nutella Cupcakes use minimal ingredients. The outer “cupcake” is made from dates, cocoa and hazelnuts, while the inner filling is rich and delicious thanks to chocolate and avocado. Rich, smooth and absolutely HEALTHY!
Raise your hand if you love Nutella! Keep your hand raised if like Nutella+vegan Nutella cupcakes+binge watching Netlix on a Friday night.
All hands better be raised.
What about Nutella that’s better for you and vegan? I know what you’re thinking….”Why would I want vegan Nutella?” Well if you’re having a serious craving for spoonfuls of actual Nutella, then I suppose you’ll want the real stuff—I believe it’s good to listen to your cravings. But, if you’re like me and typically just craving something sweet, these vegan Nutella cupcakes are for you. Oh, and they really do taste like Nutella, since Nutella is simply chocolate+hazelnut. I also realize these cupcakes look way more like thumbprints than cupcakes, but let’s just roll with it.
NUTELLA CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS
- hazelnuts
- cocoa powder
- dates
- maple syrup
- cinnamon
- avocado
The outside is made from hazelnuts, dates and cocoa while the inner filling combines avocado, cocoa and maple syrup. I believe in hiding avocado in chocolate desserts whenever possible. You can’t taste it and avocado makes everything smoother. Plus, who can’t use a dose of healthy fats?
These cupcakes are rich, as in suuuuper chocolate-y, but don’t make you feel “bleh” afterward. ….which will make you want to eat 12 in one sitting. ….but you can’t because they’re so rich. If you love Nutella, you’re gonna love these.
HOW TO MAKE RAW CUPCAKES
Step 1: Combine ingredients in a food processor until a large ball is formed. Then, spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray (or use coconut oil) and use your hands to press the mixture into the tin, then place the tin into the refrigerator.
Step 2: Make the filling. Place the avocado in a bowl and use a fork to smash it, making sure to get out as much clumps as possible. Add the cocoa, syrup and coconut oil to the bowl, then use an electric mixer to mix everything together.
Last: Remove the tin from the refrigerator, then use a spoon to spoon the chocolate avocado mixture into the center of the “cupcakes”, sprinkling each one with crushed hazelnuts. Lastly, EAT UP!
OTHER RAW VEGAN RECIPES:
Raw Vegan Nutella Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcake:
- 1 cup raw hazelnuts
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups 8 oz. dates, pitted
- 1/4 cup organic maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
For the filling:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup organic maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 tbsp hazelnuts, crushed (for topping)
Instructions
- Place hazelnuts and cocoa in a food processor and pulse. Add dates, syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon and pulse until everything is mixed.
- Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray (or use coconut oil).
- Evenly distribute the hazelnut mixture into the tins, making sure to press down on the bottoms and smooth out the sides either with a spatula or with your hands.
- Place tin in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, allowing the mixture to harden and take the "cupcake" shape.
- For the filling, smash an avocado in a bowl with a fork. Try to get most of the clumps out if you can.
- Add cocoa, syrup and coconut oil to the bowl and, using an electric mixer, mix everything together until smooth.
- Use a spoon to spoon chocolate mixture into the cupcakes.
- Lastly, crush hazelnuts and sprinkle on top of cupcakes.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I tried to make these ones tonight but I think I might have added too much dates. I measured 2 cups of dates but they were already pitted, and cut in small pieces, making them a bigger mesarument value (??). Also they got all stucked in the tin, even though I had already added coconut oil to it, it did not help when removing them at all! Any recs?
This is the best recipe for sweets I have tried in years…I can’t make them enough times how much my friends and family loves them. There is no single person that tried them and didn’t went like….WOOOWWW this is delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂 It has become our favorite desert
Thanks for the feedback Malina–I’m glad you like them!
Hi! I apologize for the, probably, silly question…I don’t own a mixer and don’t usually bake; could I use a food processor to mix the filing ingredients?
Not a silly question, and yes a food processor should work just fine!
Thank you so much for your quick reply! Sorry, one more question! Do you recommend almond butter or cashew butter for this recipe? (We’re not able to use peanut butter)
I was clearly thinking of another recipe! My apologies. Thank you, again, for your help!
Thank you for this recipe, it is so delicious and I can’t even describe how much it’s already changed my life – even though I have only made them once!!
These look delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I don’t like coconut. I don’t like the flavor – even in coconut oil. is there a substitute I could use in the nutella cups instead of coconut oil?
Refined coconut oil should work
I would love to make these right now. They look soooo good! Question, though … can they be frozen? Refrigated? Also, how long would they last either way? Thank you so much!
Sorry, that should obviously read “refrigerated”. I was drooling and missed the letters on my keyboard. ;p
Haha! I knew what you meant 😀 Yes they can definitely be refrigerated and should last up to 5 days. I’m not sure if they can be frozen… I would assume yes, but I haven’t tried it myself. Let me know if you try them!
Thank you, Erin. I’ll be making them soon. I read somewhere that similar recipes freeze nicely, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
Can I replace the maple syrup with honey
Yes that should work.
Hey ! I just finished them and they seem delicious ! 🙂
I’m just unsure about the filling.. when I tried it it tasted very avocado”ey”, I tried adding some maple syrup but it didn’t change anything so I added dried figs and it finally diminished the strong taste of avocado ^^
Is it the same for you ?
I made these last night and LOVE them!!! Thank you!!
I’m so glad! Thanks for letting me know 🙂