How to Make Homemade Nutella Smoothie
Indulge in the rich, velvety taste of Nutella without the store-bought price tag or questionable ingredients. Making homemade Nutella is not only rewarding but also surprisingly simple. With just a few key ingredients and a little patience, you can create a delicious, smooth spread that's perfect for spreading on toast, filling crepes, or even eating straight from the jar.
Before we dive into the recipe, let's talk about the star ingredient: hazelnuts. Fresh, raw hazelnuts are best, but you can also use roasted ones. If using roasted, skip the toasting step in the recipe. Also, ensure you have a powerful food processor or blender to achieve that smooth, spreadable consistency.
Gathering Your Ingredients
Homemade Nutella requires just a handful of ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry.
Here's what you'll need:
- Hazelnuts - The base of your Nutella. You'll need about 2 cups.
- Sugar - Both granulated and powdered sugar are used for sweetness and texture.
- Cocoa powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder gives your Nutella its chocolatey flavor.
- Salt - A pinch of salt enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract - For added flavor. You can also use a vanilla bean if you prefer.
- Oil - A neutral-flavored oil, like canola or vegetable oil, helps achieve the smooth, spreadable consistency.
Preparing the Hazelnuts
Toasting the hazelnuts brings out their natural oils and enhances their flavor. It's a crucial step that shouldn't be skipped.
Here's how to do it:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the hazelnuts evenly on a baking sheet.
- Roast for about 10-15 minutes, or until the skins start to crack and the nuts are fragrant.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- Wrap the nuts in a clean kitchen towel and rub vigorously to remove the skins. Not all skins will come off, and that's okay.
Blending the Nuts
Once your hazelnuts are cool enough to handle, it's time to blend them into a smooth butter.
Here's how:
- Transfer the hazelnuts to your food processor or blender.
- Blend until the nuts release their oils and form a smooth, spreadable butter. This can take up to 10-15 minutes, so be patient and scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the oil and continue blending until fully incorporated.
Combining the Ingredients
Now that you have your hazelnut butter, it's time to turn it into Nutella.
Here's how to combine the rest of the ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Add the sugar mixture to the hazelnut butter and blend until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and blend again.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness or cocoa powder as needed.
Storing Your Homemade Nutella
Once your Nutella is smooth and well-combined, it's ready to enjoy. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Here's a tip: Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before using to make spreading easier.
There you have it - homemade Nutella that's just as delicious as the store-bought version. Now go ahead, spread it on your favorite bread, fill your crepes, or simply enjoy it straight from the jar. Happy indulging!