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I really, truly believe that there is so much beauty found in simplicity. Now, more than ever, it is painfully easy to get carried away with over complicating things that really don’t need it.

This particular recipe is so stinken simple that it almost seems comical to write a whole blog post dedicated to it. It contains only FOUR whole ingredients: raw cacao powder, hazelnuts, bananas, and dates. (yep, that’s right people, you can count them all on one hand). It doesn’t get any simpler than that but the few flavors already present harmonize so well together. 😋

Because there is nothing but good ingredients in here, it includes many healthy benefits. Here is a little run down of just some of the nutrients you get through the ingredients in this shake…

• dates

Besides being extremely tasty and curing any caramel cravings that unexpectedly arise, dates are great for promoting brain health, reducing risk of disease, and improve digestion. In this shake they add a wonderfully fudgy flavor making it extra decadent and indulgent.

• hazelnuts

Unlike a typical vegan shake, there is no store bought, processed plant milk in this recipe. We are essentially making our own hazelnut milk with the addition of hazelnuts which is as clean as it gets! Ever since I found hazelnuts at Trader Joe’s for super cheap I have been on a kick of making this for breakfast every morning. I usually hate having the same thing every day, but exceptions are certainly worth creating for this beauty. Hazelnuts are also a great addition because they benefit your heart, skin, muscles, joints, and digestion.

• bananas

This very popular fruit is especially well known for containing a high amount of potassium. On top of that, it has high traces of fiber and antioxidants. In this recipe, it provides a wonderful creamy texture that is sometimes hard to obtain.

• cacao powder

Cacao powder is by far one of my most favorite ingredients EVA! I include in just about anything I can. Cacao powder is made by crushing the bean, then extracting the oils and butter. It withholds natural occurring antioxidants and is rich in magnesium, potassium, and copper. There are many healthy benefits bundled up in the form of cacao powder that I could honestly write an entire blog post dedicated to it (in fact, that is highly likely considering how high on the spectrum of “obsession with chocolate” I stand). Knowing this, you no longer have to feel guilty for indulging in chocolaty treats, especially when that treat is a Nutella hake made fully with whole ingredients! *wink wink*

Vegan + Clean Fudgy Nutella Shake (Only 4 WHOLE ingredients)

Servings: 2 small or 1 large

INGREDIENTS

• 2 very ripe bananas, frozen (can be swapped for frozen avocado)
• 1/3 cup hazelnuts (toasted or raw)
• 2-3 medjool dates
• 2 Tablespoons cacao powder (cocoa powder can be used for a non-raw alternative)
• 1 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add the dates, hazelnuts, and 1/2 cup of water to a blender and allow to soak for at least 10 minutes. After soaking, blend until a smooth consistency is formed.

2. Add the frozen bananas, cacao powder and remaining 1/2 cup of water. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more water if you would like a thinner shake.

NOTES

* If you don’t like the taste of frozen bananas, you can swap them for frozen avocados.

* Hazelnuts can be replaced with different nuts such as almonds or cashews. The flavor won’t be Nutella-like but it will remain just as creamy and delicious.

* For variety, you can blend in additives such as cinnamon, vanilla extract, peppermint, coffee, protein powder, raspberries, coconut, or even cayenne if you’re feeling brave.

* This recipe can easily be turned into nicecream (banana ice cream) or a smoothie bowl simply by adding less or no liquid.

* Dates can be omitted for a less sweet and lower calorie drink.