Creamy Chocolate Bean Spread (The viral “Nutella” Dupe That’s Actually Decent)
Jasmine LimShare
✨ Quick Summary
Yes, this is the butter bean Nutella situation you’ve seen online.
No, it doesn’t taste exactly like Nutella — let’s be honest.
But it is creamy, chocolatey, protein-packed, and something you can spread on toast without feeling like you’ve handed over a jar of sugar.
Perfect for toddlers, kids, and mums who want better options without martyring themselves.
📋 At a Glance
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Press button, pray
Serves: 1 small jar
Best For: Toast topping, fruit dip, lunchboxes
Freezer Friendly: No
Lunchbox Safe: Yes
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 can (400g) butter beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2–3 tbsp maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp nut butter (hazelnut if you want closer-to-Nutella vibes)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–4 tbsp milk (to loosen — dairy or plant-based)
- Pinch of salt
Optional:
- 1–2 tbsp melted dark chocolate (for richer flavour)
🍳 Method
Step 1
Add drained butter beans, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tbsp nut butter, 2–3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, and a pinch of salt to a small food processor (I use this larger food processor when I'm making a butt load of this stuff because it goes fast).
Step 2
Blend until smooth. Scrape down sides.
Step 3
Add 2–4 tbsp milk, a little at a time, until you reach a creamy, spreadable consistency.
Step 4
Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. (This is where you decide how “health” you’re going.)
Step 5
Transfer to a jar and refrigerate.
🍽 How I Serve It
- Spread on toast
- As a dip for strawberries or banana
- Swirled into yoghurt
- On a rice cake when we’re being minimalist
🧠 Why This Works for Busy Mums
- Higher protein than regular chocolate spread
- Lower sugar
- Uses pantry staples
- Takes 5 minutes
Also: it makes you feel mildly accomplished.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Up to 4–5 days in airtight jar
- Freezer: Not recommended
- Reheat: Not needed
🔄 Easy Swaps
- Use cannellini beans instead of butter beans
- Add 1 tbsp espresso powder for depth (don't give that version to the kids unless you want them bouncing off the walls)
- Use dates instead of maple syrup for natural sweetness
🧡 Real Mum Notes
Will your children know it’s beans?
Probably not.
Will they still ask for “real Nutella” at some point?
Almost definitely.
But this is a solid middle ground between “nothing sweet ever” and “why are they vibrating.”
And that’s motherhood.