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Homemade Nutella – Did you know you can make Nutella at home with just hazelnuts and chocolate? It’s easy and it tastes way better than the original!
No, I’m not the one going to school. I did that for 20+ years of my life. I had enough. But, my 3 year old, Ana, is going to start preschool in about 10 days and I am freaking out.
When I set out to sign her up, I was 110% sure that this was the right thing to do. I mean, she needs to be around kids, she needs to socialize, she needs to learn how to share with others, she needs to… you get the point.
Also, I’ve been so busy with the baby that I don’t have as much time as I used to have to devote to playtime with Ana. Before Aleksandra was born all I did was play with her and teach her. She’s a bright girl; she can count in both, Macedonian and English, she knows both alphabets, she can write her name, she knows every color on the color chart … Okay, I just stepped into bragging territory. But you understand what I’m saying. I just want her to keep up with all of that, and then some.
Anyways. I now feel that I am making a big mistake! She just turned 3. She’s only 3!! But then again, it’s only two times a week for 3 hours at a time. That’s not so bad. Is it? Even if she was 4, I would then say, oh she’s only 4… oh she’s only 15… This is tough.
Yesterday morning I asked her if she was looking forward to going to preschool and she yelled, “NO!”. Ouch.
She then asked me to make her a toast with Mommy’s Nutella. I was in a vulnerable place; she knew I wouldn’t deny her wish.
We then proceeded with our conversation:
“Ana, do you think you would be happier to go to preschool if I served you Nutella every morning?”.
“Like with a spoon??”
“NO! On toast.”
“Oh, Mama… How about Nutella on toast and a Happy Meal for lunch?”
“Oh noooo, Ana. How about I give you the jar of Nutella and a spoon on the first day… Thereafter you’ll have it spread on toast.”
“No, Mom. I’ll have it spread on a waffle! Like you!”
“Deal!”
Bribes – because they work.
I pray that she will be OK. Please tell me that she will be.
Have a jar with me…Nutella makes everything better. Homemade Nutella makes it that much better.
Adapted from Leite’s Culinaria
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Homemade Nutella
Ingredients
- 1 cup hazelnuts, , toasted and skinned
- 1 bag, (12 ounces) milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until toasted.
- Once they are done, put them in a kitchen towel and start rubbing them so to get all the skin off. If you can find skinned hazelnuts, don't hesitate, just buy them. But if you must skin them yourself, make sure that you have rubbed off most of the skin. You won't be able to get it all off, but give it your best, otherwise your Nutella will taste a bit bitter.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (saucepan placed over a pot with simmering water), or in the microwave.
- Let completely cool.
- In the meantime, put the hazelnuts in a food processor and process until they form a paste.
- Add in the canola oil, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix it all together.
- Mix in the melted chocolate and continue to work it until smooth.
- Pour the Nutella into a jar and let it cool. It will thicken as it cools.
- Cover the jar or grab a spoon and dig in.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I’ll have to try the nutella! I would like to offer an opinion different from most of the other commenters on sending your little girl off to school. Your motherly desire to keep her home is right! She’ll have a lifetime of schooling along with the stress of homework in later years etc. Why not keep her with you while you can? These are precious years and while you may look back one day and regret it later, you definitely will never look back and regret keeping her at home with you, sharing precious memories with her new little sibling! The things she will learn just being with you will far outweigh what she will be learning in school for the rest of her life!
I have skinless hazelnut . Question: do I still need to toast it?
Hi Mae! You don’t have to, but you could, especially if you want a little more of a deep, nutty flavor.
Thank you ! And one more thing can I replace canola oil with olive oil? Sorry for things that doesn’t cook I subconsciously think olive will be healthier…. Thank you in advance:)
No problem, Mae! Olive Oil is fine. It will change the taste a bit – or add to it – but it shouldn’t be a problem, otherwise.
So I made this today and it was the most amazing thing EVER! I don’t buy store Nutella anymore ’cause of all the chemicals, but WOW. This recipe is definitely a keeper. I was wonder tho, how long does this last in the fridge?
Hi Aviva! I am so glad you loved it! I make it often and I can definitely say that it will be good for at least 1 week. We usually eat it up in 3 days, but I’m certain that it will be good for a few days longer. ENJOY! 🙂
i’m sharing this on my facbebook fan page today
Thank you, Alison!! 🙂
A helpful tip on how to get the skins off the hazelnuts. In two cups of water and three tablespoons of baking soda. Place shelled hazelnuts. Boil for three minutes. Drain and add hazelnuts to a ice water bath. The whole skin should easily slide off as you work with your fingers,sliding them off. Roast the hazelnuts at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
I wish I could say it gets easier every day. It doesn’t…you feel more nostalgic as you see them grow and go onto the next grade;)LOVE this Nutella you made, Kate. Save me some please:)
Kate….I love nutella and your home made version looks better than the store bought! You can bribe me with this any day! Your daughter is so beautiful and she will be fine! My older son had a huge problem separating when he started preschool. It would break my heart and make me feel so guilty when I dropped him off. But the teachers began to take polaroid pictures of him throughout the day to show me that he was happy and having fun! Hang in there….and I hope she has a great year! : )