Make your own "nutella" spread

[Alchemille]

I grew up and lived most of my life in France and like most french kids, I've spread nutella on my tartines of bread.
I've never gained weight from eating it but I must admit that the taste is somewhat addictive, especially if you're a chocolate afficionado. I usually have to start the day with my tartines of nutella (if I don't have cereals for breakfast). But I also need to tell you that the recipe for Nutella is Europe is different than the one sold here. It tastes better there, and they don't use partially hydrogenated oils like here (that's the bad stuff).
So I was looking to improve my health and satisfy my cravings in more natural way and I decided to make my own .

For the "Chocolatine" spread, you'll need:
1/4 jar of almond butter (16oz, no sugar or salt added)
1/4 cup good quality, sweet honey
1 to 1 1/2 tbsp of pure cocoa powder
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
A little pinch of salt (I use the Himalayan pink salt)...salt brings out the sweetness.
>Blend the almond butter and the honey. Then incorporate the other ingredients 1 by 1 by blending them with the honey-almond paste.
Pour in a "tupperware" dish with a lid.
I leave my spread on the countertop or inside the pantry but not in the fridge...it makes it hard to spread. Now I suggest starting with 1 tbsp or cocoa powder, taste and add some more if necessary...It depends how chocolaty you like it.

...Now if you don't like chocolate but still like almonds, here's my "Amandine" or "Almondine" spread recipe:
1/4 jar of almond butter (16oz, no sugar or salt added)
1/4 cup good quality, sweet honey
A little pinch of salt (I still use the Himalayan pink salt)
>Proceed as above. I didn't add vanilla extract because I don't think it taste that great with it. The pinch of salt is optional.

Enjoy ,
Alchemille

Nota Bene: The original recipe of nutella has hazelnuts/hazelnut oil in it. You can try using hazelnut butter instead of almond butter but let me warn you that 1/it's much more expensive and 2/it doesn't taste very good .

[Persephone]

Oh, nutella! Oh France! I miss it there. I'm so going to try this!

[WindDrinker]

Oh, Alchemille - it sounds delicious! I know I will have to send away for the almond butter (our local shop keeper already thinks I'm nuts) cause they just don't carry anything different aeound us. - But I am going to whip some up. I think the kids will love it too!

[Alchemille]

I hope your kids like it...It important to educate kids' tastebuds so that they don't end up always eating the same (usually) unhealthy foods.
And it's so easy to make, you can ask them to participate and help you making the spread...They'll feel rewarded when it'll time to taste it !

I forgot to say that you should stir the almond butter before starting because the "paste" and its oil content tend to separate.

[Judy L]

Here is a little bit different variation..

raw tahini
honey
cocoa powder

Very yummy.

[Alchemille]

I like raw tahini on veggies and even use it for dressings and cookies. But there is a slightly bitter aftertaste. And I've tried a similar recipe to yours...I still think that using almond butter makes it more palatable.

[Judy L]

me..I like bitter:) You are right tho, it is a different taste altogether. I think w/ this recipe it depends on the quality of the ingred used. When I made it (actually this evening) I used organic cocoa, local honey and organic raw tahini and it was wonderful. I didn't detect bitter.

If you are looking for a true nutella that isn't going do it. However, it is great for those of use who are allergic to almonds.

The best nutella I ever had was in Switzerland. My friend and I went out to the store in the morning and bought some fresh brioche and nutella. Went back to her house. Made some really, really strong coffee and had the brioche w/ nutella. It was awesome.

[Alchemille]

I like bitter too...But not to start the day .
It is true that's it nor gonna taste exactly like the real (european) nutella...But I think it's pretty close. I haven't had any nutella craving since I'm into my spread .
I also plan on mixing sunflower seed butter with honey. I read somewhere that sunflower seeds butter is very rich and nutritious, ideal for sick people or recovering from an illness. Also good for children who definetly need nourishing foods.

[Judy L]

Sunflower seed butter is yummy. Try mixing some w/ sweet white miso to use as a dip.

[Briar Rose]

This sounds really yummy ~ I'm definitely going to experiment! I ate alot of the commercial Nutella many years ago. I think that any nuts paired with chocolate are simply divine! Hazelnuts would actually be my first choice for a spread like this... I wonder why they didn't taste good?
Anyway, thanks for the recipe Alchemille!

Green blessings,
Briar Rose

[Alchemille]

You're welcome, briar rose!
I heard or read once, that they use a special type of hazelnuts.
In the US, they add hydogenated peanut oil...which doesn't give the specific flavor and nuttiness that I was used to in France.
I really like almonds, and the recipe without the cocoa powder, is also very addictive .

[Alchemille]

I found a healthy and pretty tasty alternative to nutella at Trader Joe's. It's called "cocoa hazelnut spread". No transfats, no high fructose corn syrup...no BS! It's pretty decent, the taste is a little more nutty but it doesn't bother me.
I think it's worth giving it a try!

[wildflower]

That does sound delicious! I thought nutella was a hazlenut/chocolate spread, though?