Hazelnuts and chocolate are a match made in heaven!
Last weekend, Pete and I made two large batches of hazelnut praline. As I’ve mentioned previously, I never make this on my own, as hot sugar and I don’t get along. Pete’s detailed instructions for this process are here…
The darker of the two batches was chopped up into chunks…
…and stirred through a bowl of tempered Callebaut 811 (54% dark). This is the only time I use the 811 straight, as I find the sweeter chocolate balances out the dark caramel flavours…
The lighter batch of praline was blitzed up in the food processor and added to dark chocolate truffles. Our instructions with photos are here, and for this batch, I used the following ingredients:
- 300ml cream (minimum 35% fat)
- 500g Callebaut 811 (54% cacao) callets
- ¾ cup crushed praline (stirred through after the ganache is smooth)
I sprinkled a dusting of crushed praline over the finished truffles while the chocolate was still wet…
Finally, the easiest way to incorporate hazelnuts into chocolate making is by stirring Nutella through a batch of tempered milk chocolate! This blend is always popular, and can be used with feuilletine to create a “Ferrero Rocher” style chocolate or, as I did in this case, a two-layered treat.
I began by pouring a small quantity of tempered dark chocolate into the base of our mini tart pan liners. Once it had set, I topped it with Nutella chocolate (one part Nutella to two parts each of tempered milk and dark chocolate)…
Praline crumbs were scattered on top. It wasn’t my neatest work, but you can see the two layers of chocolate in the photo below…
It’s worth mentioning that the Nutella chocolate never sets as solidly as straight chocolate and will melt more easily, so it’s important to store it in a cool place.
Thank you to everyone who has given our chocolate tempering tutorial a whirl – you make writing these posts worthwhile! x
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Yummy! I just bought myself a jar of Nutella as my Christmas treat. Poor Peder can’t eat it so I don’t usually keep it in the house. Can’t stand seeing a full-grown man weep. :) These sweets would definitely make him weep!
Poor Peder! Does he like very dark chocolate? I have some 80% blends which he’d probably be fine with! :)
We can buy 90% Lindt here but it’s also fat content that’s problematic for diabetics, not just sugar. I might resort to eating chocolate in the closet! :)
Wow! I am really impressed! These turned out beautifully. You are a chocolate wizard!
Anna, that’s very kind, thank you! I was pretty chuffed with how pretty they looked!
Celia you are so right ‘Hazelnuts and chocolate are a match made in heaven!’ It is my favourite combo. The praline and the chocolate look amazing. congratulations to you both.
Glenda, thank you, we need to make more, as I now have a new cunning plan.. ;-)
They all look and sound delicious. Beautiful!
Thank you! They’re fun to make, but they don’t last very long here!
WOW! You are amazing dear Celia, how beautiful and should be so delicious too. Thank you, love, nia
Nia, you are most kind, thank you! xx
Celia, I just love these chocolate posts of yours! You are so clever, as is Pete! Chocolate = hazelnut = perfection! Thank you for sharing your chokky adventures, together with such detailed hints. xox
Lizzy, I hope they help – my recommendation with praline though is – get an engineer to make it! :)
One Day I will give chocolate tempering a go too. Maybe with a friend, in winter. Yum.
Francesca, it IS a bit tricky in summer, especially when it can get to 30C in my kitchen! :)
Oh yum! I was just thinking I should make something with chocolate for Christmas. The praline looks wonderful.
Jo, praline is a great mixer with chocolate – doesn’t have to be hazelnut, almond and pecan would be equally as good!
Those are gorgeous – they really are! A new chocolaterie opened up just down the road from me. It’s great stuff :D
Cheers Nick, thanks! :)
oh, so right – chocolate and hazelnuts a match made in heaven. I also love coconut with it.
Bronwen, interestingly while we all adore coconut in a curry, no-one here will eat it in a sweet! Burnt on Bounty bars in the past, I think… :)
Wow, Celia, you and Pete have outdone yourselves with these chocolates. I love pralines and add chocolate and I’m off to heaven.
Thanks Maureen! It’s been really popular here too! x
Nice work, you two – what a team! Tricky time of year to work with chocolate, too. I always seem to pick the hottest days to decide to make truffles.
Amanda, it’s starting to warm up fast here as well. When that happens, I let the tempering bowl cool in the airconditioned living room! :)
oh my. These look incredible.
Mimi, thank you! :)
Yummy! Those look delicious! They look so nice and shiny. Perfect for gift-giving!
Manuela, that WAS the plan, but they’ve all been eaten now! I’ve decided to refer to early December chocolates as “prototypes”… :)
You are so right Celia…hazelnuts and chocolate = heaven. These are a beautiful sight and I just finished all of my dinner…may I have some please?
Of course you can darling, but I’m afraid I can’t deliver! Can you pick up? ;-)
Oh how I would love to pick them up! We just got a few more inches of snow here. It’s funny, the last time I visited your lovely country, I said goodbye to more than 3 feet of snow and landed in paradise.
He’s definitely a keeper Celia! What yumminess you’ve cooked up this time- perfection indeed :) xox
Thanks Becca! I’ve been experimenting some more with the praline, think I’ve figured out the best combo now!
I’m a lucky girl, I tried your hazelnut praline chocolates after you left that day & they were divine, it’s my new favourite now. Unfortunately they didn’t last long, neither did the almond chocolates which were yummy too, I scoffed them down, I blame it on my pregnant belly ;-) Thanks Celia & Pete!
No worries Moya, it was lovely to see you! xx
Oh, so delicious!
Thanks Tandy! Fun to make too!
Oh wow! Those look so professional and delicious! :D
Thanks Nell! The boys have made short work of most of them! :)
Sweet temptations! Beautiful and delicious! :-)
Thank you! It’s a fun time of year for chocolate! :)
Celia these look amazing. I especially like the sound of a homemade Ferrero. I need to get onto my Christmas chocolates!
Claire, can’t wait to see what you make this year! :)
Celia I think you might have to start a little business selling your chocs, you’d certainly have a long queue of eager customers. Me included :)
Lisa, it’s much more fun to try and teach all of you how to make them instead! :)
We’ve just finished the chocolates you gave us and they have been such a treat. It’s been so nice to finish the day with a glass of wine and some of your beautifully smooth chocolates. They make the best Christmas gifts – thanks again! xx
Charlie, they lasted a long time! I’m so glad you all enjoyed them! xx
I’d definitely come to your house before going to the store to purchase any chocolates. All the treats above look heavenly, especially the truffles!! And those two layer tartlets make me want to reach out and try to grab a dozen or so through the screen. I have a bag of hazelnuts sitting on the counter, maybe I’ll make some praline today. Yours looks sooo good!
xx
Mel
Mel, there can never be enough praline in the house – we made our huge batch for Christmas, and they’re almost gone already! :) Hope you’ve been well.. xx
Drooling 😛😛😛
Thanks Julie.. :)
Mmm! I so wish you lived closer. :(
Oh, I reckon I say that about you once a week, Heidi! xx
hehe I have to admit that four of these disappeared into my mouth within hours of receipt :D
So glad you enjoyed them! xx
These chocolates look fantastic, Celia! I’m sure I’ve said this before but you really are a talented chocolatier. I defy anyone to be able to tell the difference between your chocolates and those created by a professional. And I think it great that Pete helps you with the praline. As you know, I haven’t the best track record working with melted sugar. I need to find me a Pete. :)
You can’t have mine, John. :)
Wish I could share chocolates with you! xx
Mmmmmmmmmmmm,….lovely special chocolates Yum Yum Yum. X
:) Thanks Sophie! xx
Celia, these look decedent! I’m in awe of your chocolate making abilities!
Clare, you’re very kind, thank you! :)