Chocolate #101: Hazelnut Chocolates

December 9, 2013 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

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

Posted in Recipes | 62 Comments

62 Responses

on December 9, 2013 at 12:26 am Misky

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!
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:49 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Poor Peder! Does he like very dark chocolate? I have some 80% blends which he’d probably be fine with! :)
  - on December 11, 2013 at 7:24 am Misky
    
    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! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 1:00 am annashortcakes

Wow! I am really impressed! These turned out beautifully. You are a chocolate wizard!
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Anna, that’s very kind, thank you! I was pretty chuffed with how pretty they looked!
on December 9, 2013 at 1:26 am Glenda

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.
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Glenda, thank you, we need to make more, as I now have a new cunning plan.. ;-)
on December 9, 2013 at 2:01 am queenjeanne

They all look and sound delicious. Beautiful!
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! They’re fun to make, but they don’t last very long here!
on December 9, 2013 at 4:11 am niasunset

WOW! You are amazing dear Celia, how beautiful and should be so delicious too. Thank you, love, nia
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Nia, you are most kind, thank you! xx
on December 9, 2013 at 5:41 am lizzygoodthings

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
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Lizzy, I hope they help – my recommendation with praline though is – get an engineer to make it! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 6:02 am Francesca

One Day I will give chocolate tempering a go too. Maybe with a friend, in winter. Yum.
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Francesca, it IS a bit tricky in summer, especially when it can get to 30C in my kitchen! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 6:57 am Jo

Oh yum! I was just thinking I should make something with chocolate for Christmas. The praline looks wonderful.
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jo, praline is a great mixer with chocolate – doesn’t have to be hazelnut, almond and pecan would be equally as good!
on December 9, 2013 at 7:12 am frugalfeeding

Those are gorgeous – they really are! A new chocolaterie opened up just down the road from me. It’s great stuff :D
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Cheers Nick, thanks! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 7:43 am Bronwen

oh, so right – chocolate and hazelnuts a match made in heaven. I also love coconut with it.
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  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… :)
on December 9, 2013 at 8:27 am Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

Wow, Celia, you and Pete have outdone yourselves with these chocolates. I love pralines and add chocolate and I’m off to heaven.
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Maureen! It’s been really popular here too! x
on December 9, 2013 at 8:43 am lambsearsandhoney

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.
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:57 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  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! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 8:47 am chef mimi

oh my. These look incredible.
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:57 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Mimi, thank you! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 9:40 am Manuela

Yummy! Those look delicious! They look so nice and shiny. Perfect for gift-giving!
- on December 11, 2013 at 4:59 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Manuela, that WAS the plan, but they’ve all been eaten now! I’ve decided to refer to early December chocolates as “prototypes”… :)
on December 9, 2013 at 10:47 am dianeskitchentable

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?
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:00 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Of course you can darling, but I’m afraid I can’t deliver! Can you pick up? ;-)
  - on December 11, 2013 at 7:25 am dianeskitchentable
    
    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.
on December 9, 2013 at 10:54 am theintolerantchef

He’s definitely a keeper Celia! What yumminess you’ve cooked up this time- perfection indeed :) xox
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:01 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Becca! I’ve been experimenting some more with the praline, think I’ve figured out the best combo now!
on December 9, 2013 at 1:56 pm turkuazmotif

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!
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:01 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  No worries Moya, it was lovely to see you! xx
on December 9, 2013 at 1:58 pm Tandy | Lavender and Lime

Oh, so delicious!
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:02 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Tandy! Fun to make too!
on December 9, 2013 at 2:42 pm deliciouslynell

Oh wow! Those look so professional and delicious! :D
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:02 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Nell! The boys have made short work of most of them! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 4:23 pm Three Well Beings

Sweet temptations! Beautiful and delicious! :-)
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! It’s a fun time of year for chocolate! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 4:31 pm Claire @ Claire K Creations

Celia these look amazing. I especially like the sound of a homemade Ferrero. I need to get onto my Christmas chocolates!
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Claire, can’t wait to see what you make this year! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 8:52 pm Lisa the Gourmet Wog

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 :)
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:04 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Lisa, it’s much more fun to try and teach all of you how to make them instead! :)
on December 9, 2013 at 9:32 pm hotlyspiced

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
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:04 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Charlie, they lasted a long time! I’m so glad you all enjoyed them! xx
on December 9, 2013 at 11:31 pm Melanie

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
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  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
on December 10, 2013 at 1:22 am once in a blue moon

Drooling 😛😛😛
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Julie.. :)
on December 10, 2013 at 1:38 am heidiannie

Mmm! I so wish you lived closer. :(
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Oh, I reckon I say that about you once a week, Heidi! xx
on December 10, 2013 at 12:22 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

hehe I have to admit that four of these disappeared into my mouth within hours of receipt :D
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  So glad you enjoyed them! xx
on December 10, 2013 at 3:12 pm ChgoJohn

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. :)
- on December 10, 2013 at 3:24 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  You can’t have mine, John. :)
  
  Wish I could share chocolates with you! xx
on December 11, 2013 at 5:07 am Sophie33

Mmmmmmmmmmmm,….lovely special chocolates Yum Yum Yum. X
- on December 11, 2013 at 5:08 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  :) Thanks Sophie! xx
on December 12, 2013 at 5:23 am The Life of Clare

Celia, these look decedent! I’m in awe of your chocolate making abilities!
- on December 12, 2013 at 6:11 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Clare, you’re very kind, thank you! :)