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If you have a sweet tooth and an appreciation for rich, creamy spreads, you are going to absolutely love this Homemade Nutella Recipe. It’s a luscious blend of roasted hazelnuts, cocoa, and just the right touch of sweetness that comes together to create a spread so delicious, it rivals any store-bought chocolate hazelnut cream you’ve ever tried. The best part? You control every ingredient, making it fresher and more flavorful, with that perfect silky texture that melts in your mouth. Making this at home not only brings comfort but fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that’s pure happiness in a jar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Homemade Nutella Recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient is carefully chosen to contribute flavor, texture, and just the right balance between nuttiness and chocolatey sweetness. With a handful of pantry staples and fresh hazelnuts, you are just minutes away from creating something extraordinary.
- 250 g / 8 oz raw skinless hazelnuts: The star ingredient, providing a rich, nutty base essential for authentic flavor.
- 1/4 cup / 30 g Dutch processed unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds luscious chocolate depth without overpowering the hazelnuts.
- 3/4 cup / 90 g icing sugar / confectionary sugar: Gives the perfect sweet touch and smooth texture that melts delightfully.
- 2 tbsp hazelnut oil (or neutral oil like vegetable, canola, grapeseed): Helps create a silky consistency and intensifies the nutty aroma.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Elevates the overall flavor with a warm, fragrant note that blends beautifully.
How to Make Homemade Nutella Recipe
Step 1: Roast Your Hazelnuts
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread the raw, skinless hazelnuts evenly on a baking tray and roast them for about 8 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. This roasting step is crucial as it unlocks the deep, toasty flavors that form the base of this incredible spread. Once roasted, transfer them right away into your blender to capture all that warmth and flavor while fresh.
Step 2: Grind Hazelnuts Into a Paste
Begin blending the hazelnuts at the lowest speed to turn them into a crumbly texture. Be patient and keep scraping the sides as needed so nothing sticks. Gradually increase your blender’s speed to a medium setting, and you’ll notice the nuts start to release their natural oils, transforming into a thick, creamy paste. Finally, push the speed to the highest level to reach a smooth, luscious consistency comparable to honey. This step takes a little time but is totally worth the effort for that perfect texture.
Step 3: Add Cocoa, Sugar, Oil, and Vanilla
Next, add your Dutch-processed cocoa powder, icing sugar, hazelnut oil, and vanilla extract to the hazelnut paste. Blend them together, starting slow and increasing speed gradually until everything becomes beautifully smooth. The sugar might take a bit longer to fully dissolve, so keep blending until you get a homogeneous, glossy spread that’s impossible to resist.
Step 4: Jar and Cool
Pour your freshly made homemade Nutella into a clean jar while it’s still warm and luscious. Let it cool to room temperature, which helps it thicken to a perfect spreadable texture. Remember, don’t refrigerate it because cold storage causes the sugar to crystallize, resulting in a grainy texture. Enjoy this irresistibly creamy treat right away or within days to savor the freshest taste.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Creation
Use your homemade Nutella exactly like the store-bought kind—spread it on toast, dollop it on pancakes, or just grab a spoon and dive in! It’s especially fabulous when paired with homemade crepes or fresh fruit. Trust me, once you try this Homemade Nutella Recipe, you might find it hard to go back to anything else.
How to Serve Homemade Nutella Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your homemade Nutella by topping it with a sprinkle of chopped toasted hazelnuts or a dusting of cocoa powder. These simple garnishes add an extra crunch or hint of rich chocolate to elevate each bite, making it even more of a treat.
Side Dishes
This spread pairs perfectly with a variety of sides. Think crusty artisan bread, warm waffles, fluffy pancakes, or even crisp apple slices. The rich nuttiness and velvety chocolate flavor complement sweet and savory options alike, making it a versatile go-to for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by swirling homemade Nutella into yogurt parfaits, using it as a dip for pretzels, or even drizzling it over ice cream. You can also fill baked goods like muffins or donuts with it for a luscious surprise inside. The possibilities with this Homemade Nutella Recipe are as unlimited as your imagination.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your homemade Nutella in an airtight jar at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. It will keep fresh and creamy for up to two weeks. Since refrigeration isn’t recommended, make sure it’s sealed tightly to maintain its silky texture and avoid crystallization.
Freezing
You can freeze homemade Nutella if you want to extend its shelf life. Place it in a freezer-safe container with room for expansion. When ready, thaw it slowly at room temperature and stir well to bring back that perfect spreadable creaminess before using.
Reheating
If your Nutella becomes too thick or firm, gently warm it by placing the jar in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Stir well once warmed to restore its glossy, creamy texture, making it easy to spread or drizzle.
FAQs
Can I use roasted hazelnuts instead of raw for this recipe?
Absolutely! Roasting them yourself just before blending intensifies the fresh nutty aroma, but using pre-roasted hazelnuts from the store also works nicely. Just skip the roasting step and blend straight away.
What if I don’t have hazelnut oil? Can I substitute it?
Yes, you can use other neutral-flavored oils like vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil. The oil smooths out the texture and carries flavor without overpowering the chocolate and hazelnuts.
Is it possible to make this recipe sugar-free?
Definitely! You can substitute the icing sugar with powdered erythritol or another fine, natural sweetener of your choice. Keep in mind this may slightly alter the texture and sweetness level.
Why shouldn’t I refrigerate my Homemade Nutella?
Refrigeration causes the sugar in the spread to crystallize, making the texture grainy instead of smooth and creamy. It’s best enjoyed fresh and stored at room temperature in an airtight container.
Can I use a food processor instead of a blender?
Yes, a food processor works well if you don’t have a high-powered blender. It may take a bit longer to reach a smooth consistency, so be patient and scrape down the sides frequently.
Final Thoughts
Making this Homemade Nutella Recipe is a total game-changer and one of those kitchen triumphs that brings pure joy. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends and family, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of creating a spread that’s decadently smooth, perfectly sweet, and bursting with nutty goodness. So grab those hazelnuts and get blending—your taste buds will thank you!
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Homemade Nutella Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 to 1 1/2 cups
- Category: Spread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian inspired
Description
Homemade Nutella is a rich, creamy hazelnut spread infused with cocoa and vanilla, perfect for spreading on bread, using in desserts, or enjoying as a sweet treat. This easy-to-make recipe uses roasted hazelnuts blended to a silky smooth paste combined with cocoa powder, icing sugar, and oil to replicate the classic flavor and texture of Nutella without any preservatives or additives.
Ingredients
Nutella Spread Ingredients
- 250 g / 8 oz raw skinless hazelnuts
- 1/4 cup / 30 g Dutch processed unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup / 90 g icing sugar / confectionary sugar
- 2 tbsp hazelnut oil (or vegetable, canola, grapeseed, or other neutral flavoured oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to warm it up for roasting the hazelnuts, which enhances their flavor and aroma.
- Roast the Hazelnuts – Spread the raw skinless hazelnuts evenly on a baking tray and roast for about 8 minutes or until they turn golden brown. This step brings out the oils and deepens the taste. Once roasted, transfer them immediately into a blender.
- Grind and Blend Nuts – Start blending the hazelnuts at the lowest speed until ground into a coarse crumb. Scrape down the sides as necessary. Increase speed to medium (around speed 4 on a Vitamix) until it becomes a thick paste. Then raise the speed to the highest setting and blend until a smooth, honey-like texture forms.
- Add Remaining Ingredients – Add the Dutch processed cocoa powder, icing sugar, hazelnut oil, and vanilla extract to the hazelnut paste. Blend starting at a low speed and quickly ramp to high, continuing to blend until completely smooth. The icing sugar takes the longest to fully dissolve, creating a silky texture.
- Jar and Cool – Pour the warm Nutella into a clean jar. Allow it to cool to room temperature so it thickens to a spreadable consistency. Refrigeration is not recommended, as it can cause the sugar to crystallize, resulting in graininess.
- Enjoy – Use your homemade Nutella just like the store-bought version: spread on toast, pancakes, or use it as a delicious ingredient in your favorite desserts like Nutella crepes.
Notes
- Note 1: Use raw skinless hazelnuts for the best texture and flavor. Skin can be removed by roasting and rubbing with a kitchen towel if necessary.
- Note 2: Dutch processed cocoa powder is preferred because of its smooth flavor and darker color, but natural cocoa can be substituted with a slight taste difference.
- Note 3: The sugar requires thorough blending to dissolve fully, ensuring a smooth finish without graininess.
- Do not refrigerate the spread to avoid crystallization; store airtight at room temperature.
