Introduction
Want the sweet, mellow taste of white chocolate in a spread you can swipe over warm toast? Vegan white chocolate spreads do exist, and hazelnut is a particularly good match for that velvety, vanilla-like flavour. The thing to check is the label: a pale spread isn't automatically made without dairy.
Our LoveRaw® White Hazelnut Spread "White Hazel Daze" is an option when you want a ready-to-spread treat with that white chocolate-style flavour and a nutty twist. Spoon it over pancakes, pair it with strawberries or let it melt a little on hot toast. If you'd rather make your own, you can mix vegan white chocolate with hazelnut butter. Either way, the best choice is the one that tastes delicious to you.
What Does Vegan White Chocolate Spread Taste Like?
Expect a sweet, mellow flavour rather than the deeper cocoa hit of a dark chocolate spread. Depending on the recipe, you might taste vanilla, cocoa butter or toasted nuts. Hazelnut gives the sweetness a rounded, nutty edge.
Texture matters just as much. A spread should be soft enough to move across your toast without tearing it to pieces. Some are thick and spoonable, whilst others loosen quickly against a warm pancake.
The nut you choose changes the result too. Hazelnut brings a familiar toasted flavour, while cashew has a milder taste. Almond sits somewhere in between, with its own distinct nuttiness. None needs to taste exactly like another to earn a place on your spoon.
White chocolate spread or white hazelnut spread?
A white chocolate-style spread may put the sweet, mellow flavour first. A white hazelnut spread also brings hazelnuts into the mix, so you'll get a more noticeable nutty flavour.
If you're after both, our White Hazelnut Spread "White Hazel Daze" is made for that combination. Try it on its own first, then pair it with something crisp, such as toast or a plain biscuit. That way, the flavour of the spread gets its moment.
How To Choose A Vegan White Chocolate Spread
Start with the flavour you want, then check the ingredients and how you plan to use the jar. A spread destined for toast doesn't need exactly the same texture as one you want to drizzle over dessert.
Check that it's vegan
White chocolate spreads can contain dairy ingredients, so don't rely on the colour or the name. Look for a vegan label and read the ingredient list, particularly if you're trying a product for the first time.
Milk powder, whey and cream are examples of ingredients that mean a spread isn't vegan. Cocoa butter, despite its name, is a cocoa ingredient rather than a dairy ingredient. Its presence alone doesn't tell you whether the rest of the product is vegan.
If you're choosing a spread for someone with an allergy, check the full packaging for allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings. Vegan and dairy-free descriptions don't replace those checks.
Pick the flavour and texture you fancy
Think about what you'll eat it with. A prominent hazelnut flavour is lovely against plain bread or a simple pancake. For a dessert with plenty going on already, you might prefer a milder spread that won't compete with every topping.
If you like a thick layer, choose a spoonable spread. For drizzling, a softer texture is handy, although a little warmth can help a thicker spread loosen. Don't assume every jar behaves the same way straight from the cupboard or fridge.
Read the storage directions
Follow the instructions on the jar after opening. Temperature affects how easily a spread moves, so a firm texture doesn't necessarily mean you've chosen the wrong one.
Use a clean, dry spoon when you dip into the jar. Toast crumbs are excellent under your spread, less useful when they're scattered through the rest of it.
Ways To Eat White Chocolate-Style Spread
A spoon is a perfectly respectable starting point. But when you're ready to share the jar with something else, the contrast between sweet spread and a little crunch is hard to beat.
On toast and warm pastries
Spread a generous layer over warm sourdough or a toasted bagel. Give it a moment to soften, then add sliced banana or strawberries if you fancy a fruity finish.
A plain croissant works too. Split it and add the spread inside, or put a little on the side for dipping. You'll get crisp pastry on the outside and a soft, sweet centre.
With pancakes, waffles and porridge
Spoon the spread onto warm pancakes and let it soften before spreading it across the top. Add a few chopped hazelnuts if you want more crunch.
For waffles, tuck a little into the pockets and finish with sliced fruit. On porridge, add the spread after cooking and swirl it through just enough to leave visible ribbons. It's a treat, so make those ribbons count.
In desserts and baking
Use a thin layer to sandwich two plain biscuits, or spread it over a cooled traybake. For a simple dessert, serve a spoonful alongside strawberries and crisp biscuits for dipping.
Want more crunch on top? Chop a White Choc Cre&m® Wafer Bar into pieces and scatter them over the spread just before serving. Add them at the end if you want to keep that wafer texture.
A spread can also be a filling for cakes or cookies, but it isn't necessarily a direct replacement for melted chocolate in a batter. Chocolate and spread behave differently, so use a recipe designed for spread when the texture of the bake depends on it.
Make Your Own White Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
A ready-made jar is the speedy option. If you fancy making a small batch, combine vegan white chocolate with smooth hazelnut butter. The chocolate brings sweetness, while the hazelnut butter adds its own roasted flavour.
Different white chocolates and nut butters vary in thickness. The mixture may look quite loose while warm and become firmer as it cools, so give it time before deciding whether you want to adjust it.
Easy vegan white chocolate hazelnut spread
Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes, plus cooling time
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 100 g vegan white chocolate
- 55 g smooth hazelnut butter
- Up to 2 teaspoons neutral-flavoured vegetable oil, if needed
- A small pinch of salt, optional
Method
- Break the white chocolate into small pieces. Put it in a heatproof bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, making sure the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water.
- Stir gently until melted, then remove the bowl from the heat. Keep water away from the chocolate.
- Stir in the hazelnut butter until combined. Add the salt, if using.
- If the mixture is very thick, stir in the oil a little at a time. You may not need all of it.
- Spoon into a clean container and leave to cool until spreadable. It will firm up as it cools, which can take several hours.
Check that both the chocolate and hazelnut butter are suitable for your needs. Some nut butters are made with just nuts, whilst others have added ingredients that can change the sweetness or texture.
Adjusting your homemade spread
If your spread is thinner than you'd like, let it cool fully before changing anything. Melted chocolate is runny when warm and firms as it cools.
If it's too firm once cool, let it come towards room temperature before stirring. Next time, you can add a little more oil during mixing. Add it gradually: you can always stir in more, but you can't take it back out.
For a stronger hazelnut flavour, try a little more hazelnut butter. It will change the balance of sweetness and may make the spread thicker, so start with a small amount.
Storing a homemade batch
Keep the spread in a covered container in the fridge and use a clean, dry spoon each time. Make a small batch and enjoy it within a few days. It may firm up in the fridge, so let your serving soften a little before spreading.
Homemade spread isn't the same as a sealed shop-bought jar. Follow the storage instructions on any ready-made product rather than assuming they'll be the same as the recipe above.
Pairings For Every Kind Of Crunch
White chocolate-style spread is sweet and soft, which makes it a brilliant partner for contrasting textures. You don't need an elaborate dessert to make the most of it.
- Crisp and simple: Spread it on a plain biscuit or oatcake.
- Fruity: Serve it with strawberries, raspberries or sliced banana.
- Extra nutty: Add chopped toasted hazelnuts to a slice of spread-covered toast.
- Salty-sweet: Dip pretzels into a small bowl of spread.
- Chocolate contrast: Swirl it with Hazelnut Cacao Spread "Choco Love" over a warm waffle.
For a party plate, put the spread in a small bowl and arrange the dippers around it. Keep anything that needs cutting or chopping separate until you're ready to serve. Check the ingredients of each dipper too, if you're making the plate vegan.
Choosing A Spread For Gifting
A jar of white hazelnut spread makes a fun addition to a chocolate-themed gift. Pair it with plain biscuits, a small spoon or a packet of vegan wafers for a ready-made dipping moment.
Check the recipient's preferences and any allergy requirements before choosing the extras. If you're giving homemade spread, keep it chilled and let the recipient know how to store it and when you made it. For a longer-lasting gift, a sealed shop-bought jar with its original label is the easier choice.
Conclusion
White chocolate-style spread should bring the flavour first: sweet, mellow and properly satisfying, with hazelnut adding a welcome nutty note. Whether you're making a small batch or opening a jar, give it something crisp to meet and you're onto a good thing.
- Check the label rather than judging a spread by its colour.
- Let homemade spread cool before adjusting its texture.
- Add wafer pieces just before serving for crunch.
Tip: For a ready-to-spread option, try our White Hazelnut Spread "White Hazel Daze".
FAQ
Is white chocolate spread always vegan?
No. Some white chocolate spreads contain dairy ingredients, including milk powder or whey. Check for a vegan label and read the ingredient list on the particular jar you're buying.
Does cocoa butter contain dairy?
Cocoa butter is an ingredient from cocoa, not a dairy ingredient. A product containing it can still have dairy elsewhere in its recipe, so check the whole ingredient list.
Is White Hazel Daze suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
White Hazelnut Spread "White Hazel Daze" is a hazelnut spread, so it isn't suitable for someone avoiding hazelnuts. Please check the packaging for full allergy information, as cross-contamination is possible.
Can I use white chocolate spread instead of melted white chocolate?
It depends on what you're making. Spread is handy as a topping or filling, but it may not behave like melted chocolate in a cake, biscuit or other bake. For the best result, choose a recipe that calls for spread rather than swapping it in automatically.
