Ingredients
- 1 cup raw hazelnuts
- 4 oz (about ½ cup to ¾ cup) dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped or in chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (helps smooth the blend)
- 2ish tablespoons pure honey, or powdered sugar (adjust to sweetness preference)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder (optional, for deeper chocolate flavor)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of Milk (Add and add more during blending until the right consistency)
- Roast the Hazelnuts:
- Remove the Skins (Optional):
- Make Hazelnut Butter:
- Place the warm hazelnuts into a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Process on high for 5 to 8 minutes, stopping every minute or two to scrape down the sides. The nuts will go from a crumbly meal to a thick paste, and finally turn into a smooth, glossy hazelnut butter as they release their natural oils. [1, 2, 3]
- Melt the Dark Chocolate:
- Combine & Blend:
- Pour the melted dark chocolate, maple syrup (or sweetener of choice), cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt directly into the hazelnut butter in the food processor.
- Blend for another 30 to 60 seconds until completely silky, combined, and creamy. Taste and add a little extra salt or sweetener if needed. [1, 2]
- Store:
- Pour your spread into a clean glass jar with a tight lid. It will be slightly pourable while warm and thicken up as it cools. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks