Homemade “Nutella”

Our good chum, Jen, shared a recipe the other day, that she found for making a homemade version of Nutella.
In case you’ve never tried it, Nutella is an Italian delight made of hazelnuts and chocolate.  It is yummy on and in more things that  you can imagine. My granddaughter, Sadie Rae, LOVES Nutella, especially in crepes as you may remember if you are a regular visitor to Two Chums.

Knowing it was a family favorite in our household, Jen was quick to share the recipe she came across for this yummy spread.  And like the original, this too was a hit!  Let’s just say it got the ultimate stamp of approval….it is Sadie Approved 🙂

Homemade “Nutella”

1/2 cup hazelnuts
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 T sunflower oil
2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon warm water (optional)
1 Tablespoon cream (optional)

In the interest of honesty this recipe has been slightly modified from the one Jen gave us as I had some trouble achieving the smooth consistency and that delicious flavor Nutella lovers crave.  By adding the cream and water to the mixture I was able to greatly improve the consistency of the spread.  You may want to try it first without the addition and add it only if you think you need to.  Either way this is really GOOD!

On a baking sheet, toast the hazelnuts in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.  Take the pan from the oven when the nuts are golden brown. Allow to cool just a bit until you can handle the nuts then rub as much of the dark papery skin off as you can.  Place the nuts in your food processor or high speed blender or use an emulsion blender to grind up the nuts into a paste.

Next melt the chocolate in a microwave oven, or over a double boiler.  Stir until it is smooth and allow to slightly cool.  Add the oil, sugar, cocoa, vanilla and salt to the nuts and process again until smooth.  If this is still too chunky or grainy for your taste, add the melted chocolate and test the consistency again.  Add the water and cream as needed to achieve a smooth spreadable consistency.  Now break out the bread, waffles, crepes, or whatever it is that you like to put Nutella on and enjoy.  Or as our Italian friends would say “Buon Appetito!”