Ferrero Rocher Hot Chocolate
This Ferrero Rocher Hot Chocolate is luxuriously thick, creamy and silky, with deep dark chocolate and roasted hazelnut flavor in every sip. Made with sugar-free dark chocolate, cocoa and hazelnut butter, this easy keto hot chocolate is finished with a chocolate-dipped roasted hazelnut rim for an irresistible crunch.
Equipment
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
Chocolate Hazelnut Rim
- 2 tbsp roasted hazelnuts finely chopped (about 15 g)
- 2 tbsp sugar-free 90% dark chocolate finely chopped (10 g)
Ferrero Rocher Hot Chocolate
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk 480 ml, or milk of choice
- 3 tbsp unsweetened Belgian cocoa powder about 15 g
- ¾ cup finely chopped sugar-free 90% dark chocolate 75 to 80 g
- 1 tbsp roasted hazelnut butter 15 g, or ⅓ tsp hazelnut extract
- 2 tbsp brown stevia or granulated sweetener of choice, to taste
- ⅓ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ⅕ tsp xanthan gum
- 2 scoops unflavored collagen peptides
For Serving
- 2 tbsp full-fat whipping cream whipped, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Chocolate Hazelnut Glasses: Melt the 10 g dark chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring between each, or gently melt over a double boiler. Dip or carefully roll the rim of each glass in the melted chocolate, then immediately coat with the finely chopped roasted hazelnuts. Set the prepared glasses aside while you make the hot chocolate.
- Warm the Almond Milk: Pour the almond milk into a small saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick and star anise and warm over medium-low heat until steaming, but do not bring it to a rapid boil.
- Add the Cocoa & Chocolate: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the xanthan gum with the brown stevia. This helps distribute the xanthan evenly and prevents it from forming lumps. Gradually whisk the sweetener mixture into the warm almond milk, followed by the cocoa powder, chopped dark chocolate, hazelnut butter and ground cinnamon. Whisk continuously until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Make It Thick & Creamy: Bring the hot chocolate to a very gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, whisking frequently, until smooth, glossy and luxuriously thick and creamy. The mixture will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
- Add the Collagen: Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the collagen peptides until completely dissolved and smooth. Remove from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick and star anise. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
- Whip the Cream: If using, whip the cream until soft and thick.
- Pour & Serve: Carefully pour the hot chocolate into the prepared chocolate-hazelnut glasses. Top with a spoonful of whipped cream and a few chopped roasted hazelnuts, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy warm.
Notes
Recipe Notes
1. Dark Chocolate: Use sugar-free 90% dark chocolate to keep the recipe sugar-free, keto-friendly and low-carb. Regular 90% dark chocolate can still contain sugar, so always check the label. 2. Hazelnut Butter: Roasted hazelnut butter gives the richest, most natural Ferrero Rocher-inspired flavor. If you don't have it, use ⅓ teaspoon hazelnut extract instead. 3. Xanthan Gum: A little goes a long way. ⅕ teaspoon is enough for this recipe because the dark chocolate also contributes thickness and body. Mix the xanthan thoroughly with the granulated sweetener before adding it to the milk to help prevent clumping. 4. Xanthan Gum Substitute: If preferred, use arrowroot starch or cornstarch instead. These will thicken differently and add more carbohydrates, so the finished drink may no longer be as low-carb or keto-friendly. 5. Sweetener: Brown stevia gives sweetness without added sugar. Adjust the amount to suit your chocolate and personal taste, as different sugar-free chocolates and sweeteners vary considerably in sweetness. 6. Collagen Peptides: Two scoops add extra protein without significantly changing the chocolate-hazelnut flavor. For a vegetarian version, omit the collagen or replace it with a suitable unflavored vegetarian protein powder. 7. Thickness: The hot chocolate thickens further as it cools. If it becomes thicker than you prefer, whisk in a small splash of warm almond milk until it reaches your desired consistency. 8. Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free sugar-free dark chocolate and replace the whipped dairy cream with whipped coconut cream. 9. Serving: The chocolate-hazelnut rim isn't just decorative. The roasted hazelnuts add a little crunch as you sip, complementing the smooth, creamy chocolate underneath.Nutrition Facts per Serving:
Nutrition per serving: 1 of 2 servings, Calories: 300 kcal, Protein: 18 g, Carbohydrate: 18 g, Net Carb: 9 g, Sugars: 2 g, Fat: 22 g, Saturated Fat: 9 g, Fiber: 9 g, Sodium: 180 mg, Calcium: 300 mg, Potassium: 400 mg, Magnesium: 120 mg, Iron: 4 mgNutrition Facts Notes:
✔️ Protein-Rich: Two scoops of unflavored collagen peptides help provide approximately 18 g of protein per serving, based on collagen providing around 10 g of protein per scoop. ✔️ Sugar-Free: When made with unsweetened almond milk, sugar-free dark chocolate and brown stevia, this hot chocolate contains no added sugar and approximately 2 g of naturally occurring sugars per serving. ✔️ Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly: Sugar-free dark chocolate, unsweetened almond milk and stevia keep the available carbohydrates relatively low, at approximately 9 g net carbs per serving. Exact net carbs will depend particularly on the sugar-free chocolate used. ✔️ Rich in Cocoa Polyphenols: Belgian cocoa powder and 90% dark chocolate provide naturally occurring cocoa flavanols and other polyphenols with antioxidant activity. ✔️ Made with Real Hazelnuts: Roasted hazelnuts and hazelnut butter provide the signature chocolate-hazelnut flavor while contributing vitamin E, magnesium and predominantly unsaturated fats. ✔️ Good Source of Magnesium: Cocoa, dark chocolate and hazelnuts naturally provide magnesium, which contributes to normal muscle and nerve function and energy metabolism. ✔️ Contains Calcium: Fortified unsweetened almond milk can provide a meaningful amount of calcium, although the exact amount varies considerably between brands. ✔️ Gluten-Free & Grain-Free: The core ingredients are naturally gluten-free and grain-free. For strict gluten avoidance, check packaged ingredients such as chocolate, cocoa and collagen. ✔️ Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free sugar-free dark chocolate and whipped coconut cream instead of dairy cream. ✔️ Rich & Satisfying: Chocolate, hazelnuts, healthy fats and collagen protein make this a substantial, satisfying drink that works beautifully as a warming treat or dessert-style hot chocolate.Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition values are estimates based on 2 servings and include the chocolate-hazelnut rim. Exact values can vary considerably depending on the brands of sugar-free 90% dark chocolate, unsweetened almond milk, brown stevia and collagen peptides used. Sugar-free chocolates in particular can vary significantly in calories, fiber, sugar alcohols and net carbohydrates.