Beyond Toast: Surprising Uses for Your Easy Homemade Nutella Recipe Made with the Family
Creating homemade Nutella with the family isn't just a delicious activity—it's an opportunity to spark culinary creativity that extends far beyond the breakfast table. While spreading this chocolatey hazelnut goodness on toast is the classic choice, there's a whole world of unexpected applications waiting to be explored. Once you've mastered that simple recipe with hazelnuts, dark chocolate, coconut oil, cacao powder, salt, and icing sugar, you'll be ready to elevate your homemade creation to impressive new heights. Let's discover how this family kitchen project can transform into gourmet treats, innovative breakfasts, surprising savoury dishes, and thoughtful gifts.
Gourmet dessert transformations
Your homemade Nutella can easily become the star ingredient in sophisticated desserts that will impress friends and family alike. The rich, nutty profile of freshly made chocolate hazelnut spread adds depth and luxury to sweet creations without the commercial additives found in store-bought varieties.
No-bake chocolate hazelnut cheesecake
Transform your kitchen creation into an elegant dessert by incorporating it into a no-bake cheesecake. Simply blend your homemade Nutella with cream cheese, fold in whipped cream, and pour over a biscuit base. The resulting dessert maintains the authentic hazelnut flavour while creating a silky, indulgent texture that sets beautifully in the fridge. The natural oils from the hazelnuts actually help the cheesecake achieve a perfect consistency without additional setting agents.
Decadent homemade nutella ice cream
Summer afternoons call for cool treats, and homemade Nutella ice cream answers magnificently. Whisk your chocolate hazelnut spread into a traditional custard base before churning, or for a quicker version, fold it through softened vanilla ice cream and refreeze. The natural fats in your homemade version create an exceptionally creamy texture that commercial spreads cannot match. For added texture, consider rippling extra Nutella through the mixture just before the final freeze for dramatic chocolate swirls.
Creative breakfast applications
Morning meals provide endless opportunities to showcase your homemade chocolate hazelnut creation beyond the predictable toast application. These breakfast innovations will have the family eagerly gathering around the table.
Nutella-stuffed french toast rollups
Reinvent the breakfast classic by flattening bread slices with a rolling pin, spreading them with your homemade Nutella, rolling them tightly, then dipping in egg mixture before pan-frying until golden. The heat slightly melts the chocolate hazelnut filling, creating a warm, oozing centre that contrasts beautifully with the crisp exterior. A light dusting of cinnamon sugar completes this morning indulgence that children and adults alike will devour.
Swirled porridge and overnight oats creations
Elevate humble oats by stirring your homemade Nutella into warm porridge where it melts gloriously, or create Instagram-worthy overnight oats by layering the spread between prepared oats, yoghurt, and fresh berries. The natural oils in your homemade version actually incorporate more smoothly into dairy than commercial alternatives, creating a silky mouthfeel throughout. This preparation transforms a nutritious breakfast into something that feels decidedly dessert-like while maintaining its wholesome credentials.
Savoury culinary surprises
Perhaps the most unexpected application for homemade Nutella lies in savoury cooking, where the chocolate and hazelnut notes can add remarkable complexity to dishes. The artisanal quality of your homemade spread, with its authentic ingredients and adjustable sweetness, makes it particularly suitable for culinary experimentation.
Chocolate hazelnut glazed meats
Channel the Mexican tradition of mole sauces by using your homemade Nutella as a glaze for roasted meats. The cocoa compounds complement proteins beautifully, especially when balanced with a touch of chilli and citrus. Try brushing a diluted mixture onto chicken thighs during the final minutes of roasting, or incorporate it into a marinade for pork tenderloin. The natural oils create a magnificent caramelised finish while the hazelnut undertones enhance the meat's savoury qualities.
Nutella-based bbq and dipping sauces
Summer barbecues can reach new heights with a chocolate hazelnut BBQ sauce. Blend your homemade Nutella with tomato passata, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and a dash of bourbon for a sophisticated sauce that works wonderfully with ribs or as a dipping sauce for grilled vegetables. The complex flavour profile creates an unexpected taste sensation that guests will struggle to identify but invariably enjoy. The natural sweetness from your homemade spread eliminates the need for additional sugars typically found in commercial BBQ sauces.
Crafty gift ideas and packaging
Homemade Nutella makes for thoughtful presents that showcase both culinary skill and personal care. The act of creating and beautifully packaging your chocolate hazelnut spread transforms a simple recipe into a memorable gift.
Personalised nutella jars for special occasions
Elevate your homemade spread into a bespoke gift by decorating the jars with personalised labels, fabric toppers, and ribbons. Consider creating custom blends for recipients—adding orange zest for citrus lovers, a pinch of sea salt for sophistication, or crushed coffee beans for morning enthusiasts. These thoughtful touches transform your kitchen creation into a truly personal gift that friends and family will genuinely appreciate and remember.
Homemade nutella gift baskets with complementary treats
Create themed gift baskets centered around your chocolate hazelnut spread. A breakfast basket might include homemade bread, quality butter, and a jar of your Nutella. For dessert enthusiasts, pair it with shortbread biscuits, fresh strawberries, and perhaps a cheese selection that complements chocolate notes. The versatility of your homemade spread means it can be the centerpiece of various thoughtfully curated gifts that demonstrate considerably more care than conventional presents.
Fun family activities with homemade nutella
Making your own Nutella at home is already a brilliant activity to enjoy with the kids, but why stop at just preparing it? Once you've got your batch of delicious homemade hazelnut chocolate spread ready (with those lovely roasted hazelnuts, dark chocolate, coconut oil and other goodies), there's a whole world of family fun to explore beyond simply spreading it on toast. Let's dive into some creative ways to enjoy your homemade creation that will keep the whole family entertained!
Nutella painting and food art projects
Turn your kitchen into an art studio with your freshly made Nutella! Grab some plain biscuits, rice cakes or even sliced fruit as your canvas. Give each family member a small dish of the homemade hazelnut spread and some decorating tools like toothpicks, small spoons or piping bags. Little ones can create funny faces on rice cakes, whilst older children might attempt more detailed designs on biscuits. You could even host a friendly competition for the most creative Nutella masterpiece. The brilliant part? These edible art projects taste as good as they look, and there's no messy paint to clean up—just lick your fingers afterwards!
Blind taste tests: shop-bought vs homemade challenge
Ready for a proper family laugh? Set up a blind taste test comparing your homemade Nutella to the supermarket version. Prepare two plates with small samples of each spread, labelled simply as A and B. Have family members take turns being blindfolded, then taste both spreads and guess which is homemade. You might be surprised at the results! Children love the game element, and it's a fantastic way to discuss differences in flavour, texture and sweetness. You can even create score cards for categories like 'nuttiness', 'chocolate flavour' and 'creaminess'. It's not just good fun—it's a brilliant way to help children develop their palates and understand the difference between processed foods and those made from scratch with simple ingredients.