Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Printer-friendly)

Silky chocolate-hazelnut blend perfect for spreading on breakfast favorites or enjoying by the spoonful.

# What You Need:

→ Nuts

01 - 2 cups raw hazelnuts

→ Chocolate & Cocoa

02 - 3.5 ounces good-quality dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa), chopped
03 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

→ Sweeteners

04 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Oils & Others

06 - 3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as sunflower or grapeseed
07 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until fragrant and skins are cracking.
02 - Take hazelnuts out of the oven and transfer to a clean kitchen towel. Wrap and rub them vigorously to remove most of the skins, leaving some skin as needed.
03 - Place warm hazelnuts in a food processor and blend until a smooth and creamy butter is formed, scraping down the sides periodically. This process should take about 4 to 5 minutes.
04 - While the nuts are processing, melt the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring until fully smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
05 - Add melted chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, neutral oil, and sea salt to the hazelnut butter and process until smooth and spreadable, about 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
06 - Taste and adjust sweetness or salt to your preference.
07 - Transfer the spread to a clean jar and allow it to cool completely before sealing. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate for a longer shelf life. The spread will firm up when chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor with simple kitchen ingredients
  • Ready in about 25 minutes
  • Naturally gluten-free and easily adaptable for vegans
  • Customizable sweetness and saltiness
  • Makes generous jars for gifting or indulging
02 -
  • High in healthy fats and naturally gluten free
  • Keeps at room temperature for up to two weeks
  • Perfect for a make-ahead gift or brunch addition
03 -
  • Roast the nuts until the skins are truly cracking this step is what develops that signature flavor
  • Always blend the nuts long enough that the mixture is totally smooth before adding anything else otherwise you will get grainy spread
  • I learned the hard way not to skimp on salt it makes the chocolate and hazelnut flavors pop

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