Cacao and Hazelnut Spread Recipe
Meet your new kitchen favorite: Cacao and Hazelnut Spread. Rich, nutty, and impossibly creamy, this spread delivers all the flavor of your favorite chocolate-hazelnut treat with none of the mystery ingredients. Every spoonful captures the deep roastiness of hazelnuts and the luxurious notes of cacao, making it perfect for slathering on toast, swirling into oatmeal, or sneaking straight from the jar. Once you’ve experienced how easy and delicious homemade Cacao and Hazelnut Spread can be, you’ll never look back!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cacao and Hazelnut Spread is in its simplicity. Each ingredient serves a purpose: hazelnuts create the nutty backbone, cacao adds a bittersweet depth, and vanilla rounds it all out. Here’s what makes every component essential:
- Raw Hazelnuts: Roasting brings out their savory-sweet flavor and rich texture, lending the spread its unmistakable character.
- Unsweetened Cacao Powder: This is where the chocolate magic happens—cacao powder turns the spread into a dessert in a jar!
- Powdered Sugar: It blends seamlessly, sweetening things up without grittiness (feel free to adjust to taste).
- Salt: A tiny pinch makes all the other flavors sing and keeps the spread from tasting flat.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds an aromatic warmth that makes the chocolate flavor blossom.
- Neutral Oil (Sunflower or Avocado): This helps your spread become wonderfully smooth, never stiff or chalky.
- Milk or Plant-Based Milk (Optional): For those who crave extra creaminess, a splash transforms texture into silk.
How to Make Cacao and Hazelnut Spread
Step 1: Roast the Hazelnuts
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spread the hazelnuts evenly on a baking sheet—no need to crowd them. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the nuts are fragrant and their skins start to darken. That heavenly aroma will tell you they’re ready! Let them cool slightly before handling.
Step 2: Peel the Hazelnuts
Once they’re cool enough to touch, pour the hazelnuts into a clean kitchen towel. Wrap them up and give them a good rub; most of the skins will flake right off. Don’t worry if a few bits remain—those add a little rustic character and won’t affect the taste.
Step 3: Process into Nut Butter
Now, transfer the naked hazelnuts to your food processor. Blend for 5 to 8 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Watch as the nuts transform from crumbly bits to a thick paste, then finally into a glossy, pourable nut butter. Patience here is key—the smoother, the better!
Step 4: Add Cacao, Sugar, and Flavorings
Add your cacao powder, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of oil. Blend again until everything is fully incorporated and silky smooth. If the spread looks too thick, drizzle in more oil, a tablespoon at a time, until your dream consistency is reached.
Step 5: Adjust for Creaminess
If you’re all about that ultra-creamy vibe, add a splash (about 2 tablespoons) of milk or plant-based milk. Blend again until the mixture becomes luxuriously smooth. Taste, and adjust sugar or salt as needed. Then, scoop into a clean jar and let cool to room temperature before sealing.
How to Serve Cacao and Hazelnut Spread
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped roasted hazelnuts, cacao nibs, or even an extra dusting of cacao powder on top of your Cacao and Hazelnut Spread makes it irresistibly inviting. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of honey or a pinch of flaky salt offers delightful contrast in flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
This spread is dreamy on toasted sourdough or warm croissants for breakfast, but don’t stop there. Try it with sliced apples or pears for an after-school snack, or use it as a sweet dip for crunchy breadsticks and pretzels at gatherings. The options are as endless as your cravings!
Creative Ways to Present
Channel your inner chocolatier by layering Cacao and Hazelnut Spread in parfaits, stuffing it into crepes or pancakes, or swirling it through yogurt and granola. For a showstopper, dollop a spoonful onto ice cream or bake it into thumbprint cookies. However you serve it, this spread always steals the spotlight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Cacao and Hazelnut Spread in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to a week. If you added milk or want extra freshness, store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Just remember: fridge storage may thicken it slightly, but a quick stir brings it right back to life.
Freezing
For longer-term keeping, spoon portions into freezer-safe containers. The Cacao and Hazelnut Spread freezes beautifully for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to enjoy, and stir to restore its smoothness.
Reheating
Should your spread firm up too much in the fridge or freezer, don’t fret. Simply let it come to room temperature, or gently warm the jar (without the lid) in a bowl of warm water. Give it a good stir, and it will be as creamy as the day you made it!
FAQs
Can I use roasted hazelnuts instead of roasting them myself?
Absolutely! Pre-roasted hazelnuts save time and work well, but make sure they’re unsalted and skinless for the best Cacao and Hazelnut Spread flavor.
Is it possible to make this spread sugar-free?
For a refined sugar-free version, substitute maple syrup or soaked dates. Keep in mind the texture might change slightly, but the spread will still be delicious.
Can I make this completely vegan?
Yes! Use plant-based milk instead of dairy, and double-check that all your ingredients (including the sugar) are vegan-friendly. You’ll have a decadent vegan chocolate spread in no time!
How can I make the spread thinner or thicker?
If you want a silkier, pourable Cacao and Hazelnut Spread, add extra oil or a splash of milk. For a thicker texture (like a traditional nut butter), reduce the liquid and skip the milk.
What should I do if my spread turns out grainy?
Keep blending! Sometimes the food processor just needs another minute or two to break down the nuts fully. Adding a touch more oil can also help smooth things out quickly.
Final Thoughts
Few things beat the satisfaction of whipping up your own homemade Cacao and Hazelnut Spread. The flavor is next-level, the process is fun, and you get to customize every swirl. Whether you’re spooning it onto toast or gifting a jar to a friend, this spread is sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen. Treat yourself—you deserve every chocolatey, nutty bite!
Print
Cacao and Hazelnut Spread Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/2 cups
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
Indulge in the rich, decadent flavors of homemade cacao and hazelnut spread with this easy recipe. Perfect for spreading on toast, dipping fruit, or simply enjoying by the spoonful!
Ingredients
Raw Hazelnuts:
2 cups
Unsweetened Cacao Powder:
1/4 cup
Powdered Sugar:
1/2 cup (or more to taste)
Salt:
1/4 teaspoon
Vanilla Extract:
2 teaspoons
Neutral Oil:
2–4 tablespoons (such as sunflower or avocado)
Milk or Plant-based Milk:
2 tablespoons (optional, for creaminess)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Roast Hazelnuts: Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 10–12 minutes until fragrant and slightly darkened. Let cool slightly, then rub the hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel to remove most of the skins.
- Blend Hazelnuts: Transfer the peeled hazelnuts to a food processor and blend for 5–8 minutes until a smooth nut butter forms, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add Ingredients: Add cacao powder, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons oil. Blend until fully combined and smooth. Adjust consistency with more oil if needed. For a creamier spread, add a splash of milk and blend until silky.
- Store: Transfer the spread to a jar and store at room temperature for up to 1 week, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Notes
- For a refined sugar-free version, use maple syrup or dates instead of powdered sugar, though consistency may vary slightly.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon for extra warmth or espresso powder for depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Condiment, Spread
- Method: Blending, Roasting
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
