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
Scale
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.
