Nutella Nut Roll
While I'm not a big fan of the words, "I have a potluck at work tomorrow. Is there something you think you could make?" I have to admit something. Whether the phrase is "potluck at work TOMORROW" or "potluck at work NEXT WEEK," I'm probably not going to start giving it any real thought until I'm pretty much out of time. That's how I function. If there wasn't a last possible second, I wouldn't get anything done.
So when I finally had that "Aw, crap. I need to figure this out," moment last week, I pulled out my friend Pinterest to look for idea. Instantly, I knew what to do. Peanut Butter Cheese Ball. PERFECT!
Except that when I called Mr. Husband to tell him what he was taking to work, he was all, "Uhhh . . . most of my employees don't like peanut butter."
Ponder that for a moment. I sure did.
He continued on to explain that Eastern Europeans think peanut butter is gross and that it blew his mind because they'll eat Nutella and . . . HOLD THE SHOW. They eat Nutella? Well, then. I got this.
A little substitution and a little creative ingenuity and we had the answer. Nutella Nut Roll.
I made it again so that I could have some of it for when friends came to our house this weekend. Their reaction was the same as the people my husband works with--this is a winner. As in, people yelled at me to put it away because they couldn't stop eating it.
Nutella Nut Roll
1 8-oz package cream cheese (softened)
1 cup Nutella
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup crushed hazelnuts
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Apple slices, graham crackers, Ritz crackers, or animal crackers for dipping
Throw the Nutella and cream cheese into a mixing bowl and beat at low speed with a mixer.
Add the powdered sugar and beat some more, being sure to scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally so that the ingredients are well-mixed.
Technically you could stop here. The result at this point is REALLY very good. We won't discuss how I know that. Ahem.
But, if you want to kick things up a notch, place a piece of plastic wrap on your counter. Scoop the Nutella mix onto the center of the plastic wrap and then lift the four corners. Twist them together so that the Nutella glob becomes ball-shaped.
Throw it in the freezer and leave it alone for about an hour. It won't freeze solid, but it will become easier to work with after it has some time to chill out.
While you're waiting for the Nutella ball to solidify a bit, spread the chocolate chips and hazelnuts on a plate.
Once at least an hour has gone by, take the Nutella ball out of the freezer and pull the corners of the plastic wrap down. It's still going to be a little sticky, but don't worry about. Everything will be just fine.
You should be looking at something similar to the photo above. Next, flip it over onto the plate of hazelnuts and chocolate chips. Peel away the rest of the plastic wrap. Roll that Nutella ball around and around and around until it's completely covered. You might have to press a couple of chocolate chips or hazelnuts in if they refuse to stick to the right spot.
Wrap the Nutella Nut Roll in plastic wrap again. Return it to the freezer for at least two more hours. Overnight is even better.
Serve with whatever kind of crackers you would like, or with apple slices. I'm on Team Apple Slices, personally.
Recipe
Reader Comments (17)
oh god, why is this not in my house/tummy right this moment? YUM! Will make as soon as I finish eating the nutella no-bake cookies in my fridge--also your recipe if I remember correctly?
@Caroline--That one was technically @tehamy's recipe, but I stole it because I'm a good friend like that. ;-)
I'm also the last minute pot luck (or anything else) maker. I thought that might change when I became a sahm. Nope.
I really have to try this thing called Nutella one of these days. You all seem to be quite enamored with it. (And who doesn't like peanut butter? As a whole people? It isn't like you were frying up sheep scrotum.)
Love it. Will be making this some time soon. Thanks for sharing.
The apple slices were also my favorite. I might have dreamed about this last night. These are all ingredients that usually have in my house...this is not a good thing.
So this is the baby you were talking about on FB :). I might have to try this.
You are an evil genius. I literally had to walk away from it to stop eating it. And I completely agree that it tasts awesome with apples.
I wonder if I could make this and keep it hidden from the menfolk. Sounds delicious!
Love the scooby snacks! I think another fab twist on this would be to use the Biscoff spread in place of the nutella! The only reason I fly Delta is for those wonderful Biscoff cookies which, since I can now get in our local Giant Eagle, means I don't have to fly them anymore!
the animal crackers were wonderful with it, then i tried the apples and thought i found nirvana, but then the scooby sncaks came out and i totally died a little from the pure joy. sigh. huge, heavy, happy girl sigh.
Please excuse my ignorance (I am no baker, and in my mind, this IS baking), but does it matter what kind of chips you use? Are semi-sweet better b/c the mound is already sweet enough, or will it be just fine with regular or even dark chips? Also, where does one get hazelnuts? Would I find them at the Big Bird with the other nuts?
Sincerely,
A moron in the kitchen
@Mimi--Scooby Snacks are THE BEST for using with dips and stuff. No lie.
@facie--I used milk chocolate chips because I hate semi-sweet chocolate. I don't think it would matter at all, though. Dark chocolate would actually be an interesting twist, even.
The crushed hazelnuts were at the Big Bird with the other nuts in the baking aisle. A little bag (which was plenty) was on sale for $1.50 this past week.
How funny, I came here from your marshmallow comment on WCS, and I find a dessert recipe. Looks scrumptious, too.
I am really not able to decide whether to call you EVIL (for tempting me with such calorie bombs!), or a GENIUS!!! That thing has to be pure heaven!!
Can you believe before last week I'd never had Nutella? I'm pretty sure i"ll be serving this as our next Football Extravaganza Afternoon Snack.
Oh my gosh that sounds AWESOME!!!