Homemade Hazelnut Cocoa Spread
In short: A silky chocolate spread of roasted hazelnuts, cocoa and powdered sugar, with no palm oil, milk powder or preservatives. It takes about 27 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 27 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 160 kcal
Roasted hazelnuts and cocoa are an old pairing, and a food processor turns them into a smooth, glossy spread at home. Roasting brings out the flavor of the nuts, rubbing off the skins removes bitterness, and powdered sugar keeps the texture silky. This version is dairy-free and has no palm oil or additives. Spread it on toast, swirl it into porridge, fold it into crepes or eat it with a spoon.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 10 to 12 minutes, until the skins crack and the nuts smell toasty.
- Tip the hot nuts into a clean tea towel, fold it over and rub firmly for a minute to loosen the skins. Pick out the nuts, leaving the loose skins behind.
- Process the warm hazelnuts in a food processor for 6 to 8 minutes, scraping down the sides every 2 minutes, until they turn into a runny, glossy butter.
- Sift in the powdered sugar and cocoa. Add the oil, vanilla and salt, and process for 2 more minutes until very smooth.
- Taste and add a little more sugar or a pinch of salt. If the spread is too thick, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil and process again.
- Pour into a clean jar. It thickens as it cools. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for 1 month.
Tips
- For a sweeter, rounder flavor, add 50 g (2 oz) of melted dairy-free dark chocolate along with the sugar.
- Almonds, cashews or a mix with peanuts work if you have no hazelnuts. Peanuts and almonds need no skin removal.
Questions and answers
How long does homemade hazelnut spread keep?
It keeps for about 2 weeks at room temperature in a sealed jar and up to 1 month in the fridge. It firms up when cold, so let it stand for 10 minutes before spreading.
Why is my hazelnut spread grainy?
The nuts need more time in the processor, usually 6 to 10 minutes. Scrape down the bowl often, use warm nuts and sift in the sugar so it does not leave crystals.
Do I need to remove the hazelnut skins?
The skins taste bitter and make the spread slightly gritty, so it is worth removing most of them. Rubbing the hot, roasted nuts in a towel takes about a minute.
How long does it take to make Homemade Hazelnut Cocoa Spread?
About 27 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Homemade Hazelnut Cocoa Spread?
About 160 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 160 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
