Chocolate Hazelnut Butter (Nutella II)

Chocolate Hazelnut Butter (Nutella II)

The last time I tried to make Homemade Nutella, I used a can of coconut milk and melted chocolate and although I enjoyed it and gobbled it up within days, I wanted to try making it again with slightly different ingredients.  This is a twist on my Chocolate Walnut Butter recipe, using hazelnuts instead and switching around the ratio of a few ingredients.  I have to admit, I think both my kids and I preferred this version, although it had been so long since I made the last one, it is a little hard to remember.  I like knowing that what goes into this yummy chocolate spread is all fairly healthy, so that I can enjoy it on toast, or a piece of fruit, or simply with a spoon, and know that I am treating myself in a responsible way.  And it tastes amazing. If you are not as big a fan of chocolate as I am, you should try the Maple Cinnamon Hazelnut Butter recipe instead.  That is definitely my son's favorite and honestly, a close second in my opinion to this one as well.

Maple Cinnamon Hazelnut Butter

Maple Cinnamon Hazelnut Butter

A jar of something similar to this could go for upwards of $20 in a grocery or specialty store and I guarantee it wouldn't taste even half as good as this amazing, easy to make hazelnut butter. Adopted from my recipe for Chocolate Hazelnut Butter (Nutella II), this spread omits the chocolate and instead lets the flavors of the hazelnuts and cinnamon take center stage.  Since it is more like a regular peanut or almond butter, this is great as a sandwich spread, or on toast, or even mixed into oatmeal for some flavor and sweetness.  The best part of all of my nut butter recipes is the simplicity of combining all the ingredients in a food processor and letting the machine do all the work.  And if you aren't completely satisfied with the taste or texture the first time it is easy to add a little more of one ingredient or another until it is just right for you.  And although I know buying nuts and real maple syrup is not cheap, I know it is less expensive, and more nutritious, to make a recipe like this yourself. And it is a perfect project to get your kids to join in on, if only to be expert taste testers.  I know mine certainly enjoyed that part!

Homemade Nutella

Homemade Nutella

I know you love Nutella.  Everyone does, we just don't like to admit it, or admit that most of the time we eat it straight out of the jar with a spoon.  I am definitely guilty of that even though I know it is made with more sugar than hazelnuts and unfortunately doesn't use sustainable sourced palm oil.  It is just so delicious that although I have tried in the past to not buy it often, it has become a staple in my house because of it's ability to turn a healthy muffin into a "cupcake" and get my daughter to eat just about anything she can dip into it.  The recipe that follows is the best version that I have come up with so far, although I still have about four cups of hazelnuts to work with, so if I get a better tasting one that isn't completely made of sugar I will post that as well.  I honestly think that I am just not a huge fan of hazelnuts unless they are completely masked by sugar and fat, so I may try a similar recipe using walnuts or macadamia nuts (my two favorites).  Needless to say, this homemade chocolate spread is definitely delicious, although it doesn't fool my kids because it tastes more like nuts than sugar.  I have used it on cookies, baked donuts, in smoothies, and even on bread with peanut butter for a quick sandwich before working out.  And yes, I have eaten it with a spoon straight out of the container as well.  And I am sure you will too!!