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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.
Awww! I know what you’re going through, my little guy is about to start pre-k and I don’t feel anywhere near ready!
This looks amazing!!! We adore nutella and I love the idea of making it myself because we go through it so fast!
Great recipe! Will be linking back to this in my post tomorrow.
Thank you, Marla! Looking forward to it!
Definitely she will miss you, but she will be more than just OKAY.
Love homemade nutella!
I can only imagine the feeling. I know that you both will be just fine. It’s only 6 hours and you listed all the good things that she’ll get out of it. Letting babies go and get bigger is so hard. My nice is just 16 months old and I feel like every day she gets so much more independent its scary. haha Lovely nutella sounds yum yum yummy. I’m sure that waffles and nutella will make preschool easier for the both of you! Glad to see you back in action. Congrats on your new little addition. 🙂
Thank you, Kim!! So nice to “see” you! 🙂
Your daughter will be okay. And she’ll do great. You’ll do great too. That said, it is such an emotional experience. The first week I dropped my son off to preschool he screamed and cried like he was being tortured. It was awful – for both of us. Then he made some friends, found his groove and did great. When my daughter went to preschool she got a bit teary, but really did just fine. I was the one that went home and cried like a lunatic – my little baby went off and I had an empty house. Not sure which one was worse, but we all adjusted and the kids absolutely loved preschool. They went at age 3 and 4 – my daughter is in the 4-year old class this year. Next year will be another hard year for me – they’ll both be gone in school all day! Makes 2-1/2 hours look like nothing. 🙂 Hang in there Kate and good luck. She’ll do great. It will be good for her and soon she’ll be bringing you home all sorts of artsy creations and projects to fill your walls and fridge! I’ll be thinking of you!
Awwww, your poor baby! I’m afraid that Ana will react like your baby did. But if he got over it, then I know we’ll get through it. I’ll cry like a little girl for a few hours and eat Nutella while doing it. Eh… 😉
Ah, I remember the day my mom dropped me off for preschool as if it were yesterday. I cried like a lunatic and she gave me pink frosting cookies when I got home. That make it all better. And I survived! It’ll be okay : )
LOL!! Thanks, Trix, for the laugh! I needed it. 🙂
I was the one and only kid in the classroom that told her Mom to go home … everyone else was crying. :/
WHOA! This is gorgeous and looks SOOOO delicious!
Ok Nutella does make everything better & yours looks incredible!! Don’t worry, a few days at school with her new little friends & it will be like “Mommy who?” 😉 Good luck!!!!
You are so cool making nutella at home. I have to try this 🙂
Oh, how I remember that day. It was one of the most difficult days of my life I think. My son is now 16, and he still doesn’t like school. But he did fine, and yes, it was the right thing to do. He was fine in preschool and liked his class, then when he went to kindergarten he cried every day, it was SO difficult, but he had to go. I just wanted to scoop him up and take him home. Now he hopes out of the car and doesn’t look back.
Liv on the other hand couldn’t wait to get to school! I stayed with her on the first day and she looked up after a few minutes of meeting each kid in the class and said “Mommy… school is for kids, you can go now!” And she has never looked back!
Ana may be sad for a few days, but keep at it… I’m guessing that if she doesn’t love it today, after a few days she will. The teachers are so good and the know how to deal with kids who are a bit sad, and before you know it she will be asking to go more than 2 days a week!! Yes… you are doing the right thing!!!! Hang in there, Mom!!!
Thank you so much for sharing… this made me feel so much better!! ♥♥♥