Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread has 40% less sugar and tastes like actual hazelnuts; it's also vegan and gluten free with no refined sugar. Great for giving as Christmas gifts
The other day I did a nutrition talk at a lower school for a few 6th grade classes.
Someone asked me about Nutella, and it took all of my energy to not start yelling about how terrible Nutella is.
It would be perfectly fine if Nutella didn't promote itself as a healthy breakfast addition. It drives me crazy that they insinuate that it's a healthy choice like almond butter or peanut butter.
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From their website {http://www.nutellausa.com}:
"What is Nutella® hazelnut spread? Nutella® (pronounced “new-tell-uhâ€) is a tasty, unique spread made from the combination of roasted hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa. Nutella® has no artificial colors or preservatives."
Honestly, Nutella is nutritionally comparable to icing.
Don't believe me? Let's take a gander at those ingredients... SUGAR, PALM OIL, HAZELNUTS, COCOA, SKIM MILK, REDUCED MINERALS WHEY (MILK), LECITHIN AS EMULSIFIER (SOY), VANILLIN: AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR.
Oh how special. For something claiming to be a "hazelnut spread," hazelnuts are the third ingredient meaning that sugar and added fat take up a larger portion than the actual nuts.
But it's Christmas, so instead of continuing to complain, I decided to come up with a better-for-you substitute for Nutella.
It doesn't taste exactly like Nutella; first, you actually taste the hazelnuts in this Chocolate Hazelnut Spread. Another benefit is that there is 55% more protein and 40% less sugar in it. 21 grams {regular Nutella} versus 12.6 grams {homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread} of sugar is a pretty big difference!
I thought the combination of cocoa, hazelnuts, and maple syrup was delicious but you can always use honey.
This is a great option and much better than the store bought junk. Yes, the store bought can fit into a healthy diet but it is not part of a healthy diet. It shouldn't be considered a healthy nut spread that adds nutrients to your family's diet. It just adds sugar and added fat with a touch of hazelnuts.
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Ingredients
- 2 cups hazelnuts
- 1 TBSP hazelnut oil {or coconut oil}
- 6-7 TBSP cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375*F. Add the hazelnuts to a rimmed baking sheet and roast nuts in the preheated oven for 10 minutes {make sure to keep a close eye on them so they don't burn}. Let cool for 5 minutes then add to a covered bowl or to a kitchen towel. Either shake the bowl or rub the hazelnuts to get most of the skin to come off the nuts. {Or just buy skinned hazelnuts. The skin adds a slightly bitter flavor}.
- Add the hazelnuts to a high-powered blender/food processor. Blend until a paste forms {should take about 5 minutes}.
- Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth and completely combined.
- Transfer to a container, and keep tightly covered in the refrigerator or pantry.
Notes
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