Did you know you can make homemade nutella? If you didn’t, then I’m about to blow your mind!
It all started with Valentine’s Day. Not my favorite holiday. I mean, I like it but I don’t.
I like it because it pressures my very sweet (but not always thoughtful) husband to buy me a card and some flowers. 🙂 That’s always nice, right?
Not a fan because let’s face it, if you don’t have a reservation at a restaurant for dinner on Valentine’s night – you’re never going to eat anywhere except Taco Bell. Way too crowded, am I right?
Reason two: I hate coming up with Valentine’s cards to send with my boys to school. They are boys, after all, and hearts and rainbows unfortunately, don’t really fit into their daily vocab. It’s hard to find a cute boy Valentine that they will want to pass out to friends. Well, my boys at least!
And another thing, are the gifts we as parents feel obligated to give to the teachers. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids’ teachers…but I have no clue what a teacher even wants for a Valentine’s gift.
This year I really wanted to give my boys’ teachers something they could use. Not just another plate of cookies (although I made those too, lol!) but something they could enjoy longer.
The answer? Homemade Nutella spread!
I googled it and came up with about 3,560,000 hits. Hmm. I narrowed it down and found a recipe from The Brown Eyed Baker that looked perfect. I tripled the recipe and was able to fill about 4 of these cute little Mason jars full of homemade nutella!
I slapped a heart sticker with a to/from on it and a little bit of red baker’s twine around the lid and BAM. Cutest Valentine’s gift ever! When I gave the teachers their jar, they were so surprised and impressed that I made it from scratch. But what they didn’t know is that it’s super easy to make!
But this homemade nutella isn’t just for giving out as gifts. It’s for eating. 😉 I actually made two triple recipes for this and kept the extras for us to eat, since it’s one of our favorite treats. It’s fabulous on toast, with apples, strawberries or just about any fruit. My oldest likes to dip Goldfish crackers in it, ha!
It’s really simple to make and dare I say the homemade version is better than the original?? Try it and see what you think! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ingredients
- 8 oz hazelnuts
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil for cooking or canola or hazelnut oil if you can find it
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Spread the hazelnuts in an even layer on a cookie sheet and roast in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or untill golden and fragrant. Let nuts cool and then pour into a food processor.
- Process roasted hazelnuts for 2-5 minutes, or until it becomes a loose paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to make sure it's all combined.
- Add in powdered sugar, cocoa, oil, vanilla and salt. Blend together until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Transfer to a mason jar and store in the fridge or pantry for up to 1 month (but I bet it won't last that long...)
Notes
I easily tripled this recipe and it turned out fabulous! I wasn't able to find the hazelnut oil so I used a cooking coconut oil that is in liquid (and stays in liquid) form.
I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day, either. I can pretty much take it or leave it, though it is nice when my husband gets me flowers! 🙂 This nutella looks fantastic! I could eat this just about all day, every day, so I’m in love. Pinned!
Luckily my kids are out of the Valentine’s for school age! I did buy some cheesy Valentine’s to give to all of my nieces and nephews though because I know they will love the candy. This recipe is brilliant!!
Jen – this absolutely looks divine!
Thanks Jen and Happy Valentine’s. My husband is not good at giving cards and gifts so I don’t expect anything.
This is awesome because – first – YUM! And such a thoughtful gift! I gave chocolate covered strawberries. Maybe for the end of the year I’ll give them homemade nutella! And second – double yum! haha!
I can easily eat Nutella by the spoonful! I love this homemade version and I wish I had some in front of me right now!
That is such an awesome gift! I loved stuff like that when I was teacher! I give you props for doing Valentine’s gifts too. I didn’t do teacher gifts this year, but I could so do this for Teacher Appreciation Week. Thanks for a great idea Jen!!
This is BRILLIANT!!!! Wow what an awesome recipe!
There is no substitute for real Nutella from Ferrero (I grew up in Germany where people basically only eat this for breakfast. ALWAYS) but I’m always interested in a homemade nougat spread and this one looks really delicious. As long as it is not called Nutella, because that name is sacred!
//Valérie
http://www.globalspicedblog.tumblr.com
I need to try this, looks fabulous and obviously healthier than store bought nutella!
I absolutely love the idea of homemade nutella! My husband is gonna be so excited for me to make this. He is a big nutella lover! And you photographed it so beautifully. Pinned
I love homemade nutella. I think it’s one of the best things ever. Thanks for this recipe.
I’ve always wanted to make my own nutella but never have gotten around to it. This post is all the inspiration and motivation I need… looks divine Jen!
I heard the hazelnut crop was ruined this year, and that the price of Nutella is going to go up. So I guess it’s time to stock up on hazelnuts and start making my own! Thanks for the recipe!
Such a great idea to give fits of homemade nut butters…genius! But this spread may have made it out the door if I made it!
This looks amazing! Can I ask where you found blanched hazelnuts? For some reason I can only find them with skins everywhere.
Hi Beth! I found them at Sprouts. Do you have those near you? It was in the bulk nut section. Other stores like Whole Foods would have them, too!