Hazelnut Cream

Homemade hazelnut cream is a delicious spread that can be used in various ways, from spreading on bread to an ingredient in desserts. Here is an Italian version of the classic hazelnut and chocolate spread, similar to the famous Nutella.

Ingredients

• 200 g toasted hazelnuts
• 150 g powdered sugar
• 50 g cocoa powder
• 100 g dark chocolate
• 100 ml neutral seed oil (such as sunflower oil)
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by toasting the hazelnuts in an oven at 160 °C for about 10-15 minutes, until they become golden and fragrant. Once toasted, let them cool slightly and, if they have skins, rub them with a kitchen towel to remove it.

2. Place the hazelnuts in a food processor and grind finely until you obtain a hazelnut butter. This process may take several minutes; it is important to get as smooth a texture as possible.

3. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla extract, and continue to mix until all the ingredients are well combined.

4. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, being careful not to overheat it. Allow the chocolate to cool slightly before adding it to the hazelnuts in the food processor.

5. With the food processor running, slowly pour in the seed oil until the cream reaches the desired consistency. If you want a more fluid cream, you can add a little more oil.

6. When the hazelnut cream is smooth and well mixed, transfer it to a sterilized glass jar and let it cool at room temperature before sealing and storing in the refrigerator.

Your Italian hazelnut cream is ready to be enjoyed!

Curiosity

Hazelnut cream becomes thicker when cooled, so if it is too solid when taken out of the fridge, I recommend letting it soften a bit at room temperature to facilitate spreading. Moreover, this recipe can be adapted to your preferences: you can increase or decrease the amount of chocolate or cocoa to obtain the flavor you prefer. And if you are an enthusiast of a more hazelnutty taste, you can choose to reduce the amount of chocolate and powdered sugar.