Recipe: How to Make Cannabis-Infused Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

The pandemic has changed an innumerable number of things for us these past few years, and perhaps one of the biggest things that has changed is that we're staying at home far more often than ever before. Not only are we still working from home, but we're also having social gatherings from the comfort of our couch and are cooking at home in record numbers. With everyone on the search for the next best culinary creation, we've decided to unleash our favorite homemade Nutella recipe that is cannabis-infused, of course. 

What is Nutella?

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For most, this delicious spread is a household name. However, if you aren't familiar - we know that you'll want to be after reading about this hazelnut spread recipe. Nutella is a chocolate and hazelnut spread created back in the 1960s in Alba, Italy, after becoming an overnight sensation during World War II. Nutella is produced by Ferrero, the third largest chocolate producer in the world, indicating further that this spread is truly far-reaching. While it has widely been considered a dessert topping, Nutella is trying to pivot into becoming a breakfast topping to change the discourse of whether it is deemed to be healthy. 

When one thinks of hazelnuts, they think of healthy foods, and some may even consider Nutella to be another healthy alternative nut butter. However, Nutella is mainly made of sugar and palm oil, and the serving size, which is two tablespoons, is high in fat, sugar, and calories. 

Okay, so it may not be the healthiest, but is Nutella vegan? One of Nutella's main ingredients is skimmed milk powder derived from cow's milk - so the answer is, unfortunately, no. If you need a healthy Nutella alternative, consider reaching for Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Spread or Nocciolata Organic Hazelnut Spread. 

Decarb the Dank 

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Unfortunately, eating a raw nug of cannabis will not get you high. These dry buds are bursting with the chemical THCa, the precursor to THC that must undergo a process that includes heat, time, and light to activate the psychoactive compounds. This process is called decarboxylation, and while it may seem complicated, all you need is your oven to complete the activity. Simply preheat your oven to 240 degrees Fahrenheit, grind up your bud, and place it in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Voila!

Dosing 101

We've come a long way in the cannabis culture and have mostly said goodbye to the days of too-weak and terrifyingly-too-strong weed edibles. While a trusty dosing calculator is always recommended, if you want to try your hand at cannabis math class, we have a few pointers and have an in-depth guide here.

We always recommend starting slow and going low - or consider trying low-THC, high CBD strains for starters. We don't need any friends getting launched into outer space from the edibles. Also, remember that the strength of the homemade treats will depend on the fat saturation content of the base that you choose. The higher the saturated fat content, the more THC will be retained during infusion. Following a few simple steps will ensure that the cannabutter ratio is perfect every time. 

Choose Your Fighter: Cannabis Coconut Oil or Cannabis Vegetable Oil 

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Luckily for everyone, the steps to infusing oil are the same, regardless of the type of oil used. As we touched on above, the only key difference is that the different fat contents will affect potency, so choose wisely. 

Once you have activated your bud through the decarb process, you'll heat your desired oil in a medium saucepan and add your cannabis to the mix. Cook on low heat for 3 hours, making sure not to let the mixture boil or simmer while stirring occasionally. Line a mesh strainer with a cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl. Pour the oil over the cheesecloth, allowing excess oil to strain through. Allow the oil to cool completely before putting it in an airtight container. You are now ready to create your Nugtella recipe or any other of your choosing. 

Cannabis-Infused Nutella Recipe 

There is nothing wrong with a great recipe, but know that Canada is ahead of its time and has "Chrontella," the weed-Nutella that we all wish we had access to. While we are still recovering from this news, consider trying your hand at this recipe below. We skip the palm oil for a healthier, still just-as-good spread. 

Ingredients You'll Need:

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup cannabis coconut oil - This amount is all about what you're comfortable with. As always, start lower if you are unsure about what amount. 
• 1 cup hazelnuts
• 1 1/2 cup milk chocolate
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
• Pinch of salt 

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Step-by-Step Guide

1. Roast the hazelnuts at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes on a baking sheet. Make sure to mix around a few times to ensure they don't burn.
2. Melt the chocolate slowly in a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water. The key here is to make sure that the boiling water isn't touching the bowl. 
3. Take the roasted hazelnuts, place them in a blender and blend on high speed until a creamy consistency is formed.
4. Add the canna oil of your choice, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt to the hazelnut mixture and blend again.
5. Add the melted chocolate to the mixture above and blend again. 
6. Pour your new canna-Nutella into a sealable jar. 
7. Store in the fridge until ready to spread on all your tasty treats!

Have you tried to recreate this Nutella recipe? How does it stack up to the original? Let us know what you think below.