Refined Sugar-Free Nutella Spread
Yes! Refined Sugar-free! No agave! No funky syrups or honey or maple syrup or white sugar, and this spread is just as good as the real deal! How? Let me just process… sugar free NUTELLA?
After a few experiments…and jars of home-made Nutella later (not that I’m complaining), I can’t believe it’s possible to make a refined sugar-free Nutella! And when your kids are eating it out of the jar? It’s good. It’s really good.
You know what the most ironic part is? Well, you all know how much I’m a huge fan and Nutella lover with all the Nutella recipes I have on here already. After making this spread, tasting it, and then tasting a spoon of Nutella to try and match the sweetness and flavour…Nutella tasted so plastic, dull and lifeless I found myself sucking on the spoon to get any flavour out of it.
What?! I know! I thought I was going crazy! So I tried this experiment on my family…and the same happened to them. One spoon of this spread here followed by one spoon of Nutella; and they were all pulling faces after tasting the ‘real’ Nutella. It’s like, plastic on a spoon? (Don’t hate me.)
I don’t get it. I don’t understand it. But I do know that the jar of this home-made spread is going to fly out of the refrigerator in less than 2 days. Without any feelings of guilt sitting down with it and enjoying it by the spoonful. Its rich and creamy. Its full of so much chocolate and hazelnut flavour…you won’t want store bought Nutella ever again!
To make this Refined Sugar-Free, I substituted white sugar for Coconut sugar. Did we jump for joy? Hell yes! The taste compared with a white sugared version is only very very slight, without spiking insulin levels and a lower GI. Something we prefer for our kids.
The best part of making your own spread? It’s easier than you think…and quicker than you’d assume…if you’re anything like me and picture a whole day lost roasting; peeling and processing. Not True.
However, there are two ways to start the whole Nutella loving process.
One:Â Buy blanched or already-peeled-and-ready-for-roasting-hazelnuts and skip the whole peeling process.
Two: Buy organic hazelnuts and take out all of your frustrations out on each one when peeling them. And they’re not hard to peel. Just rub them on an old tea towel with the palm of your hand, and the peels crack and fall away on their own.
The choice is yours. Personally, I chose the peeling option. There was something so gratifying seeing bald hazelnuts at the end of the process. No, it’s true, and I could be crowned one of the laziest people on planet Earth, but still I loved this process.
From here, throw your nuts into a food processor (make sure it’s a good quality processor); and once it becomes a beautiful, warm and creamy paste, throw the rest of your ingredients in until you want to face plant the processor bowl.
Or…avoid the face planting, because we are adults after all , and pour your spread into a jar, while dipping your fingers into it every 2 seconds, you know, just to make sure it tastes like heaven.
The best ‘Nutella’ that’s not really Nutella, that we will be diving into from now on.
Refined Sugar-Free Nutella Spread
Weight Watchers: 3pp per tablespoon!
Ingredients
- 2 cups hazelnuts (250g | 8oz), blanched and skin off or Organic
- 1/2 - 2/3 cup coconut sugar (or sugar of choice) -- adjust to your taste
- 2 tablespoons hazelnut oil (or any vegetable oil)
- 1/2 cup milk of choice (I used reduced fat milk, but both almond milk or coconut milk work!)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 176C | 350F. Spread the hazelnuts (both skinless or Organic) onto a baking tray in an even layer and roast for 10-15 minutes, or until fragrant and beginning to turn golden in colour. (You will smell a beautiful nuttiness coming out of your oven door.)
- When toasted, remove and place them on an old towel (if peeling. Skip this step if using already peeled Hazelnuts). Allow to cool for a couple of minutes; rub hazelnuts onto the towel until skins have been removed (this takes about 5-10 minutes). Transfer the skinless hazelnuts into your food processor bowl.
- Process until the hazelnuts release their natural oils, while scraping down the sides of the bowl in between processing if needed, until they form a paste. (They will form a floured texture first, then lump together, and finally a paste. Don't worry if this happens, it's normal! Keep processing!)
- Add the coconut sugar, hazelnut oil, milk, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt. Process again for a further 5 minutes, or until the heat of the hazelnuts softened the coconut sugar, and the spread is smooth and glossy.
- Transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid (or an airtight container), and allow to cool for 5 minutes before sealing. Can be stored in the refrigerator for a month.
- *The spread with be smooth and creamy after processing, but will thicken only slightly int he refrigerator.
Paria says
Hi, I made this and turned out great 🙂 just wondering how many serving it makes?
Karina says
It makes about a small jar of it but it won’t last long;)!!
Jolyn says
Hey I’m wondering if I used Maple syrup instead of coconut sugar if I should reduce the milk or oil so it’s less liquidy ?
Caroline says
This is STILL the best recipe ever!!!!
Olena@iFOODreal says
OMG this is so good. Now I get why people say better than Nutella. My kids loved it!!! I’m so happy it worked cause I do not buy Nutella for obvious reasons. You are a genius!!! I used coconut oil.
Karina says
I’m so SO happy you tried it Olena! AND that you like it! Day = Made!
Olena@iFOODreal says
Karina, this was EPIC. Now I get why others are saying better than Nutella. OMG so good. My kids love it!!! Can’t even compare to the versions with maple syrup or dates. Good job!
Schulterdrache says
I’ve tried this on Christmas Holidays and YES, it’s great! 🙂 Can’t compare it with Nutella, it’s so much better with much more hazelnuts!
In Germany we have a hazelnut-spread called Samba, which contains 45% of hazelnuts. Your receipe reminds me of this one (which is very expensive, so I’m happy I can make my own now).
My mother plans to buy me a food processor for my own, so I can produce more of your hazelnut-cream. ;D
Thank you very much. 🙂
The Unrefined Wife says
I personally don’t like Nutella. I always thought it had a funky taste to it. However, I love hazelnuts, chocolate, and all the basics that go into Nutella. I even love chocolate covered hazelnuts. Now I’m thinking that I don’t like the processed taste of Nutella. I NEED to make this. Thanks for convincing me to give it another chance.
Karina says
You’re very welcome!
KevinIsCooking says
Karina, I am super excited to check this one out. Especially as my partner is diabetic, should be a good one! Definitely want to face plant into that jar of chocolate goodness, adult or not. 🙂 Thanks for this! #NutellaJunkie
Karina says
Hey Kevin! You’re very welcome! I hope you guys like it! You can always replace the coconut sugar with Swerve or Xylitol for an extra Diabetic friendly option too. Please let me know if you do try this! I’d love to hear how you went! Xx
cheesecake4all says
I just tried this fantastic recipe and all of you should try it as well! 🙂 I used coconut oil instead of hazelnut oil and i used almond milk and the coconut sugar – this is reeeaaally good! Karina, thank you so much for this delicious, nutritious, dairy-free chocolate spread recipe. And honestly, you shouldn’t compare it to Nutella, ’cause this one is sooo much better! I love it! <3
And you can also vary the amount of cocoa powder for a less or more intense chocolate flavor. Perfect! 🙂
Karina says
Aaaaugh here you are! I love that you tried this and tested the spoon of Nutella trick after this version! So surprising, isn’t it? Thank you so much for posting your feedback! I appreciate it! Enjoy your Not-ella!
Caroline says
Hi everybody! I just tried this fantastic recipe, you should absolutely try it as well – and asap! 🙂
I used coconut oil instead of hazelnut oil and i used almond milk and the coconut sugar, which is reeeaaally good!
Thank you so much Karina for this super delicious, nutritious, dairy-free chocolate spread! I love it! And honestly, you should’nt compare it to Nutella, ’cause this one tastes soooo much better!
Tasbih @ Cleobuttera says
I’ve never been tempted to try and make homemade Nutella because I never believed that anything could ever top it…until today. The way you describe the taste difference is just so enticing, it’s hard to resist. I can’t wait to it!
Karina says
Hey Tasbih! My Nutella partner in crime! You will LOVE this! I hope you try it! Please let me know if you do. I’d love to hear your feedback! Xxxxx