Vegan Hazelnut Cream

Here is a simple and delicious recipe for making vegan hazelnut cream:

Ingredients

• 200 g of toasted hazelnuts
• 80 g of brown sugar (or other sweetener of choice)
• 50 g of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 60 ml of hazelnut oil or another neutral vegetable oil
• 120 ml of plant milk (such as almond, soy, oat, etc.)

Preparation

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 180 °C, then roast the hazelnuts for about 10-15 minutes, until they become slightly darker and fragrant. This step helps to develop the flavor of the hazelnuts.
2. Let the hazelnuts cool, then, if they are not already, remove the skin by rubbing them between your hands or in a tea towel.
3. Place the hazelnuts in a food processor or a powerful blender and blend them until you get a smooth butter. This process may take a few minutes, so it is important to stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the blender.
4. Add the brown sugar, cocoa powder, and pinch of salt to the hazelnuts and continue blending until well mixed.
5. While the blender is running, gradually add the oil and then the plant milk. Continue blending until the cream reaches the desired consistency, more or less fluid based on your taste.
6. Taste and adjust sweetness or consistency if necessary, adding more sweetener or plant milk if needed.

Pour the hazelnut cream into an airtight jar and store it in the refrigerator. Before serving, let it return to room temperature to make it more spreadable.

Curiosity

Vegan hazelnut cream is a tasty and healthier alternative compared to many commercial creams, especially because you can control the amount of sugar and the absence of artificial ingredients. Roasting the hazelnuts is a key step to enhance their flavor and make the cream even more irresistible.