Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

There's a long list of things that I know I can easily make at home, but these ease of getting it at the store often trumps certain homemade treats. Pasta and peanut butter come to mind. With baby due to arrive in a few weeks I've been trying to declutter - donating books and clothes, and cleaning out the kitchen cupboards. I've had hazelnuts that I've been trying to use for a few weeks and a can of condensed milk from a forgotten Christmas project so I decided to make some chocolate-hazelnut spread. Yes, it's easy to pick up a jar of Nutella, but it's also pretty simple to make at home. My version has more texture and is a bit more hazelnutty.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT SPREAD

• 105 grams whole hazelnuts toasted
• 85 grams dark chocolate (I use Valrhona Guanaja 70%)
• 230 grams sweetened condensed milk 
• pinch salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

METHOD

Toast hazelnuts for about 8-10 minutes in a 350F oven. If your hazelnuts are skin-on once they are out of the oven rub between a clean kitchen towel to remove the skin. Put in food processor till finely ground. If you want your spread smoother, let it go longer. You will need to scrape down the sides occasionally so everything is uniform.

In a double boiler melt the chocolate. Once it has started to melt add the sweetened condensed milk and warm until all the chocolate is melted. Add pinch salt and vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into the food processor and mix till everything is combined. 

You can spread this immediately on bread, crepes, fruit...whatever you want. Once it cools put in a jar for up to a week in a cool spot in the kitchen. I love to dip pretzels or strawberries in the spread. Put in the microwave for a few seconds if you want to spread it easily. This recipe makes a about a heaping cup of spread.

Comments

[Sophie]

MMMMM,;;;consensed milk is in here,..that must taste much better so!

The spread looks fab!

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[Kristin]

Sounds like the nesting instinct is kicking in! I'm a sucker for anything with condensed milk, this sounds really good and easy too.

[The Duo Dishes]

Just watched somebody make this online! It seemed so easy and much more delicious than even Nutella. And Nutella is good...

[5 Star Foodie]

Sounds so good, with the combination of hazelnuts and chocolate, yum!

[Account Deleted]

Now you just need to post your recipe for those delicious Swedish pancakes you make...and then you can smother them in this chocolate hazelnut spread :)

[Daily Spud]

I have to make a point of not buying Nutella, because once I know there's a jar in the house, it is my destiny to wolf through it until it is gone! I think I could allow myself to make some of this version, though - I know that it's bound to be just as addictive, but all the better for being homemade.

[Lori]

Oh, I definitely have to try this! Love the idea of making my own Nutella-like spread. All ingredients are delicious on their own. They have to be outstanding together!

[OysterCulture]

Oh my, this is heaven, I have a deep abiding fondness for Nutella on everything, but if I made it myself it would be so much healthier, right? Leave it to you to come up with something sinfully good. Did you try a batch with the tonka beans?

[gastroanthropolgist]

OysterCulture - Hehe...I think my version is healthier...I use more nuts, but at the end of the day probably not (the condensed milk!). But since it is homemade let's just pretend it is healthier =). Did not try with tonka bean, but I totally should, I bet it would add such a lovely flavor.