Nutella and I have been through a lot together. It made me late to classes in college, when I used to sneak into the student-run coffeeshop I helped manage to make a quick snack of the creamy spread and a thick piece of pita. It almost got me kicked out of a music festival in France, when security guards found and confiscated a glass jar of the stuff that I was attempting to smuggle into the venue.
So I felt like a bit of traitor when on a trip to a Nutella-less Whole Foods, I picked up a jar of another hazelnut-chocolate spread called Choco Dream. Sure, its texture was a bit plasticky and dry, but it was chock full of nutty hazelnut flavor. It highlighted my beloved Nutella’s one shortcoming: lack of any real nuttiness. Tasted side by side with Choco Dream, Nutella tasted like milk chocolate. This made me question something I’d never considered: Could one of my favorite foods be made even better?
The answer, which I realized soon after setting out to develop my own recipe, was yes. Toasted, peeled hazelnuts and some cocoa powder supplied a nice balance of nut and chocolate flavor, while a food processor and some oil was all I needed to bring the two together. Mix in some confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt for sweetness and depth, and you have a rustic, homemade version of Nutella.
In addition to the boost of nuttiness, my chocolate-hazelnut spread has another advantage: coarse texture. Don’t get me wrong—I love Nutella’s silky smoothness. But I also love hazelnuts’ shatteringly coarse texture. And as a crunchy peanut (or any other nut) butter-lover, I embraced this in my new spread.
If you think Nutella is addictive, just wait until you try this stuff. I think you’ll join me in saying thanks for the memories, Nutella.
Step #1 TOAST IT
Step #2 ▼
Toasting the hazelnuts deepens their flavor. But keep a close eye on them—they can go from a pleasant caramel color to burned black in just a few minutes. And what’s a chocolate-hazelnut spread without hazelnuts?
Step #2 SHAKE IT
Step #3 ▼
I’ve tried rolling them in a dish towel. I’ve done the “seal them in a zipper-lock bag and agitate it until you’re red in the face” technique. But in my opinion, nothing removes the skins from the hazelnuts like making a maraca with them—that is, shaking them vigorously between two mixing bowls until their peels just can’t hold on any longer. I usually shake the bowls for a few seconds, transfer only the fully skinless hazelnuts to the food processor, then resume the bowl process and shake some more. Picking out only the fully peeled hazelnuts in stages can seem a bit tedious, but it’s worth it: The skins can give your spread a bitter edge.
Step #3 LIQUIFY IT
Step #4 ▼
Processing the hazelnuts is my favorite part because you get to just sit back and watch your food processor work its magic. You’ll go through a range of emotions: After the first minute or two, you’ll feel doubtful that the nuts will ever get smooth. Then the heat of the processor’s blade starts to draw out the nuts’ oil, and you’ll feel hopeful (and guilty for ever doubting the recipe). And finally, you’ll see the smooth, loose paste you’ve been waiting for, and you’ll feel relieved (and excited!).
Step #4 PROCESS IT
Step #5 ▼
Once you’ve added the cocoa powder (it doesn’t matter if it’s Dutch-processed or not), vanilla, salt, and oil, and processed the whole lot, it will start to look like a glossy, smooth, chocolate cookie dough. But keep blending and the hazelnut oil works wonders at loosening the entire mixture and bringing it back to spreadable territory. (But feel free to use more than a tablespoon if you still deem the spread too stiff.)
Step #5 EAT IT
Isn’t it pretty? Slather the spread on a piece of bread, dip pretzels in it, or just grab a big old spoonful. The possibilities are endless—and a little bit goes a long way.
Find this and other great DIY recipes in The America’s Test Kitchen DIY Cookbook.
About the Author: Mari Levine
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This looks wonderful! Will have to try it as soon as I can buy some hazelnuts (like this morning). One note though, the European version of Nutella has much more of a hazelnut flavor than what we buy here that’s made in Canada. I just got to taste some of the two side by side after a friend returned from France.
The only question is WHEN I’m going to make this. Honestly, I think this may be the sexiest recipe I’ve ever read
Mari, Love this recipe and can’t wait to give it a try. It looks easy and delicious. YOU ROCK!!!!!!
This is SO empowering. I love Nutella, but I had to stop eating it due to some digestive issues of mine — can’t handle dairy (among other things). But now that you have broken it down to me, I sure can make my own homemade Nutella dairy-free! Thank you!
I love this b/c Nutella has milk byproducts in it that I’m allergic to. Now I can make my own!!!
OMG! I’m so happy to see this, I adore nutella, but its such an expensive luxury treat for me. I’m excited to experiment with different types of chocolate. Will definitely report back soon
You’re my new fave blog <3
OMG, homemade Nutella! I just printed out the recipe and heading to the store ASAP to get some hazelnuts & hazelnut oil!
I’ve loved Nutella since living in Germany many, many years ago, and my family goes thru the large jars in a flash, so I’m so excited to make a healthier (no palm oil) version for them.
And my sous chefs (my two boys, ages 4.5 & 6.5) will love making it with me!
Thanks, Mari!
I made Nutella a few months ago and used butter. I think I might try it with bacon grease. After I lose ten pounds, that is.
http://class-factotum.blogspot.com/2011/12/ho-made-nutella.html
I’m a dark chocolate lover and prefer the dark chocolate versions. However most seem to have canola/rapeseed oil as the main ingredient which I try to avoid. Can you tell me how to make a dark chocolate version?
Thanks
How long can this be refrigerated? I know I would want to eat the whole thing, but I probably shouldn’t.
Thanks for the step by step blog post; it encouraged me to make my own… I’m sure you can use Dark cocoa powder for a dark chocolate experience. You can see it here:
http://www.friedalovesbread.com/2012/04/dairy-free-nutella-taste-cost-vs.html
Just today my 12 yo daughter asked me if we could get some Nutella. Thanks for the timely recipe!
This was fantastic! Indeed I feel guilty to have doubted the recipe as I started step #3. Silly me, should’ve known to always trust ATK. I used 3 tbsp of veg oil instead and the consistency was perfect. Thank you and yes, this IS better than Nutella (a quasi-sacrilege statement) because I made it with fresh wholesome ingredients!
This is incredibly delicious. I’m very proud of myself that I didn’t just sit down and eat the whole recipe right after it was finished!
What could be better for a croissant filler?