While buying pre-made hazelnut spread is convenient, making your own allows you to know exactly what’s going into it. This Vegan Hazelnut Spread, created by Dr. Zelana Montminy, is the perfect compliment for any back-to-school snack. Not only can you dip your favorite fruits into it for a delicious chocolate-hazelnut coating, but you can also create whimsical and healthy open-faced sandwiches with it.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw hazelnuts
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened raw cocoa powder
- 1/2 tablespoon beet or maca powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons almond milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- a dash of sea salt
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Spread 1 cup of whole, raw hazelnuts onto a broiler pan or cookie sheet. Place in oven for 13-15 minutes or until deep brown.
- Once roasted, remove the hazelnuts from the oven, and allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes. After the hazelnuts are cool, rub them together vigorously in a kitchen towel to remove the skins. Removing the skins will give the hazelnut spread a smooth texture.
- Place the hazelnuts, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons unsweetened raw cocoa powder, 1/2 tablespoon beet or maca powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 4 tablespoons almond milk, 1 1/2 tablespoons sunflower oil and a dash of sea salt into a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Now that your hazelnut spread is prepared, serve it however you’d like! You can eat it with fruit or pretzels, or you can make fun sandwiches using your favorite cookie cutters. We used hearts and butterflies in the photos below. You can also use granola and fruit to create designs on top of your hazelnut spread. The more creative, the better!
~Recipe by Dr. Zelana Montminy
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