Delicious and Decadent: How to Make Nutella at Home

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Learn how to make a delicious homemade hazelnut spread that's a perfect addition to any breakfast: french toast, fruit, or crepes. This low-sugar recipe is quick and easy to whip up and tastes way better than store bought Nutella!

Why I make my own Nutella spread:

If you've ever taken a peek at the nutrition facts on a jar of Nutella, I'm sure you've noticed how much sugar is in the spread. 21 grams per two tablespoons (that's about 5.4 teaspoons worth)! Personally, I would never just dump 5.4 teaspoons of sugar on my bread. I'm sure we've all seen the effects that refined sugar can have on the body when eaten in excess. Don't let me fool, I enjoy indulging every once and a while, but I try to keep my first meal of the day as healthy as possible for me and my family. So, I set out to find a way to make an alternative that tastes just as good.

This recipe only uses 6 simple ingredients and can be stored in the pantry for up to a month - not that it will ever last that long. I have to make this nearly every week; my daughter eats it like it's going out of style.

What I love most about making my own Nutella is that I can control how much sugar goes in. I usually use about a 1/4 cup of chocolate chips, which doubles as my chocolate and sweetener source. Using that measurement, each 2 tbsp serving only has about 4.5 grams of sugar, which is less than one-fifth the sugar in commercial Nutella.

Ingredients:

Hazelnuts - the base that creates the butter and gives the spread a warm, nutty flavour.

Chocolate chips - this provides the chocolate flavour as well as doubling as the sweetener source. You can use whatever kind of chocolate chips, although I wouldn't recommend white chocolate chips.

Cocoa Powder - I use cocoa powder to make the chocolate flavour come out even more. I'm also a dark chocolate girlie, so adding some cocoa powder makes the spread a little less sweet, but just as chocolatey!

Oil of choice - I will often use vegetable oil because the flavour is very mild and it helps keep the spread at a nice consistency for spreading at room temp. You can definitely use coconut oil as well, but keep in mind you may have to nuke the spread in the microwave before putting it on your bread.

Vanilla - adds a touch of sweetness to the spread

Salt - helps to bring out the flavours and lengthen the shelf life.

How to use this hazelnut spread:

• On top of toast

• On crepes or pancakes

• As a dipping sauce for apples or other fruit (hint: add it to the microwave for a couple of seconds to make it easier to dip in)

• Drizzled over ice cream (or add it to a milkshake!)

• As a filling for homemade pastries, such as poptarts

Recipe: Homemade sourdough poptarts

This creamy homemade Nutella is about to become a kitchen staple for you - if not for breakfast or baking, then at least for a heaping spoonful as a midnight snack. Enjoy!

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