Homemade Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Balls

If you checked out this recipe and post you know that we are a huge fan of Nutella. And with no oil and no sugar, our homemade version keeps that delicious chocolate hazelnut flavor but with much better nutritional content. Win.

So with all the leftover hazelnuts, we thought we'd make a healthier version of another of our guilty pleasures – a homemade ferrero rocher dessert recipe.

There's just something about roasted hazelnuts that makes those treats that much better than the rest.

And knowing that hazelnuts are actually good for you due to their fat profile and vitamin E content you can see why we love them so much.

The ingredients for this recipe are obviously similar to the Healthy Nutella, however without any milk as we are trying to achieve a more solid consistency.

• Hazelnuts are filled with good fats and are also a source of copper, manganese, and the antioxidant, vitamin E.
• Raw cocoa contains powerful antioxidants (catechins) and is also a great source of magnesium and more copper.
• Honey is much better than sugar, containing significantly lower glucose content, meaning they don't spike your blood sugar nearly as much. Honey also has antimicrobial effects as well as containing antioxidants. You can also use maple syrup or agave syrup instead.
• Coating containes melted chocolate (buy one for baking) and chopped hazelnuts. If you want a healthier version of the ferrero rocher balls then omit this step.
• Vanilla extract and salt are necessary to give the balls that zing of flavour.

1. Roast the hazelnuts for 15 mins at 180°C / 360°F
2. Once roasted, allow to cool and peel off the skin by rubbing them between your palms or in a towel.
3. Place in a food processor or blender and blend into hazelnut meal.
4. Add the cocoa, sweetener, vanilla and salt and mix until smooth
5. Shape the balls and place a hazelnut in the middler of each one.
6. Place in the fridge for 1 hour.
7. After the hour, melt chocolate and quickly take each ball, dip in chocolate and then roll into chopped hazelnuts quickly.
8. Storage - keep in airtight container up to a week or in freezer up to 3 months.

Tips

• roasting the hazelnuts in advance makes a big difference to this recipe, as does peeling the skins off – if left on, they can add a slightly bitter taste that you'd rather avoid.

• do not over blend the hazelnuts. You want to stop before they release all their fats as this will otherwise result in a final product that's a little too oily. If they are, try putting them in the fridge for 5-10 mins before rolling so they can firm up.

• as a sweetener, feel free to use whatever you prefer between agave syrup, honey, maple syrup, or even dates.

• finally, to finish them off, you can use ground hazelnuts, cocoa powder, poppy seeds, coconut or whatever you prefer! This is also a good way to get your children (who are old enough) to enjoy making them with you, and to choose their own toppings.

Variations

• you can use peanuts or cashews instead of hazelnuts but then they won't be Ferrero Rocher but they will still taste well
• use milk chocolate instead of baking chocolate for the coating for an even sweeter taste
• for sweetener you can replace honey with maple, agave or date syrup