Homemade Nutella with Hazelnuts and Cacao Recipe

If you’ve ever wished you could whip up a spread that’s as indulgently smooth and chocolaty as your favorite jar of Nutella, but healthier and packed with real, simple ingredients, then you’re in for a treat. This Homemade Nutella with Hazelnuts and Cacao Recipe is one of my absolute favorites—I love this because it’s rich, creamy, and made from scratch in under 30 minutes. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought stuff.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

When it comes to making homemade Nutella, keeping it simple and quality-focused really pays off. Each ingredient complements the other perfectly, giving that classic hazelnut-chocolate vibe but much fresher and more vibrant.

• Raw hazelnuts: Raw nuts roast up beautifully and develop that deep, toasty flavor that’s the backbone of this spread.
• Coconut oil or hazelnut oil: Adds luscious creaminess and helps the mixture blend effortlessly.
• Coconut sugar: A slightly less sweet, natural sugar option that balances bitterness from cacao.
• Raw cacao powder: For that deep chocolate punch—make sure it’s good quality for best results.
• Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and rounds out the flavors.
• Pinch of sea salt: Just enough to enhance all the other flavors and keep everything balanced.

Variations

I love tweaking this Homemade Nutella with Hazelnuts and Cacao Recipe based on what I have on hand or my mood. You can easily make it your own by adjusting sweetness, oil types, or even adding extras like cinnamon or espresso powder for a twist.

• Nut-Free Version: I once swapped hazelnuts with roasted sunflower seeds for a nut-free spread that was surprisingly delicious and just as creamy.
• Sweetener Swap: Using maple syrup or honey can give it a different layer of sweetness and texture, which my family enjoyed on pancakes!
• Spiced Nutella: Adding a pinch of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper turns it into a slightly spicy, deeply flavorful treat.
• Extra Chocolatey: Stir in mini chocolate chips after blending to add texture and bursts of melty chocolate.

How to Make Homemade Nutella with Hazelnuts and Cacao Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Hazelnuts to Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the raw hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast them for about 10 to 12 minutes, keeping a close eye—they should smell toasty and their skins will look cracked and darkened. This step is crucial because roasting unlocks their flavor and makes the skins easier to remove, which keeps your Nutella silky smooth.

Step 2: Peel Those Skins Off

Once the nuts are cool enough to handle, toss them into a clean kitchen towel. Rub them vigorously to remove as much of the skins as possible. Don’t worry if a few bits hang on—they’ll blend down just fine, but less skin keeps the spread creamier and less bitter.

Step 3: Blend Until You Have Hazelnut Butter

Transfer the peeled hazelnuts to your food processor. Now, this part requires a bit of patience—blend for 5 to 6 minutes. At first, it looks crumbly and dry, but keep going. You’ll see the nuts break down into a creamy butter. When you think it can’t get smoother, give it a little more time.

Step 4: Add Oil and Sweetness

Pour in 2 tablespoons of your chosen oil—coconut oil gives a lovely subtle flavor, but hazelnut oil works beautifully too. Blend for another minute to fully combine. Then add coconut sugar (ideally powdered in a spice grinder for extra smoothness), raw cacao powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Blend again until everything feels velvety and perfectly mixed. If it looks a bit thick, you can add an extra splash of oil to loosen it.

Step 5: Store and Enjoy

Transfer your homemade Nutella into a jar or airtight container. It will firm up slightly as it cools, but stay scrumptiously spreadable. I love dolloping this on toast, swirling it into oatmeal, or just eating it by the spoonful (don’t judge!).

How to Serve Homemade Nutella with Hazelnuts and Cacao Recipe

Garnishes

I love to top my Nutella spread on toast with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes or some crushed toasted hazelnuts for added crunch. Fresh berries or sliced bananas on top add a burst of freshness and natural sweetness that pairs beautifully.

Side Dishes

This homemade Nutella is heaven alongside warm pancakes or waffles. It also makes a fantastic dip for apple slices or pretzels at snack time. I even sometimes stir a spoonful into my morning yogurt for an extra treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve served this spread in little glass jars topped with a cinnamon stick and a hazelnut on top—it’s adorable and makes a great gift too. Also, try layering it between crepes with whipped cream and sliced strawberries for a showstopper dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep my homemade Nutella in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in the fridge. It keeps well for up to two weeks, though I’m usually scooping it out long before then. When refrigerated, it firms up a bit but simply stirring before use brings back the creamy texture.

Freezing

If you want to keep a bigger batch on hand, you can freeze portions in small airtight containers. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and give it a good stir before serving. Freezing works surprisingly well and preserves its flavor.

Reheating

If your Nutella hardens too much in the fridge (hello, coconut oil!), simply let it come to room temperature or warm it gently in a bowl over hot water. Avoid microwaving directly as it could separate the oils. A quick stir after warming usually gets it back to that silky spreadable state.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Nutella with Hazelnuts and Cacao Recipe quickly became a staple in my kitchen because it’s just so good—silky, chocolatey, and satisfying with every spoonful. I used to struggle with finding spreads that hit the same deliciousness without the additives, and now I have the perfect solution at home. Give it a try; I promise you’ll find it hard to go back to store-bought Nutella after tasting this homemade love in a jar.

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