Homemade Baci Perugina – Italian Nutella hazelnut candy that only takes a few minutes to make! Happens to be dairy-free, vegan, and naturally gluten-free too.
Back when I had my Italy fever in May, I made these. Baci, which means kisses in Italian, also contain little love notes in the packaging, but I wasn’t feeling quite that ambitious today. After making this recipe, which I found on an Italian cooking forum, I went on down to the Italian store and happened to find the “real” Baci Perugina!
I excitedly opened one and was let down. They tasted so… packaged and stale. Although it could have been that chocolates had been sitting on the shelf for months. But really, why buy them? These homemade Baci Perugina are so easy! And everyone loves them and can’t believe that they’re not store bought.
And as far as candy goes, I don’t think these are all that bad. I mean, most candy is just butter and sugar, but these at least have some healthy hazelnuts, coconut oil and the Nutella portion isn’t all that evil if you make the homemade version! Also feel free to use dark chocolate in these. I’m just not a fan.
I’ve made these with real Nutella and with my not-so-smooth but healthier homemade Nutella and they taste exactly the same. So should you have some healthier Nutella-like spread around, go ahead and use that.
German friends thought that they taste just like Ferrero Rocher, which is very similar if not the same as Baci. Really, these are a great Christmas present. Who wouldn’t love getting some Nutella hazelnut chocolate candies?
Homemade Baci Perugina - Italian Nutella Hazelnut Chocolates
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 14-18 1" candies
Ingredients
- 100 grams (3.5oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips (for dairy-free use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips)
- 20 grams (1 1/2 tablespoons) coconut oil
- 100 grams (3.5oz) chopped and roasted hazelnuts
- 100 grams (3.5oz) Nutella or homemade Nutella for a dairy-free and vegan version
- 14 - 18 hazelnuts
- 120 grams (4.2oz) semi-sweet chocolate chocolate chips (for dairy-free and / or vegan, use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips)
Directions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the 100 grams of chocolate and coconut oil. Take off of the heat and add the chopped hazelnuts and Nutella. Place in the freezer for about 20 minutes or until firm enough to roll into balls.
- Roll into 1" balls (or whatever size you like), add a hazelnut on top, press down and place back into the freezer for a few minutes to harden a little again. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 120 grams of chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- When melted, take the pan with the chocolate off the heat, take the chocolate balls out of the freezer, and dip in the melted chocolate. Place the coated balls on a Silpat or cooling rack to harden. Store at room temperature.
Adapted from Misya
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34 comments on “Homemade Baci Perugina – Italian Nutella Hazelnut Chocolates (vegan, dairy-free)” — Add one!
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Hi! Unfortunately, I do not own a kitchen scale. I know measurements will not be nearly as accurate, but would you be willing to provide a very rough conversion to cups, etc.? Thank you so very much! These look amazing and I cannot wait to make them.
Hi, Lauren! Sorry for the slow reply. I had to go and weigh everything as the stuff I found online varied too greatly. I’m posting this here and not in the recipe but it’s really only approximate. I hope you’ll enjoy them! :)
– a little more than 1/2 cup (1/2 cup = 90 grams and this calls for 100) semi-sweet chocolate chips
– 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
– 11 tablespoons (that’s about 2/3 cup) chopped hazelnuts
– 5 tbsp Nutella
– 14 – 18 hazelnuts
– 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chocolate chips
I gave you a shout out for this recipe on my blog! Thanks for the simple, easy homemade Baci :)
http://frantipasto.blogspot.com/2013/09/pasta-101.html
Never too much chocolate. These look amazing.
Oh my goodness, I love Ferrero Rocher so you have got my attention with these. They look so yummy and so simple! Awesome :)
Thanks! I do love the simplicity of this recipe. One of the easiest candy recipes ever. :)
They look gorgeous and aren't sweating at all! I love how few ingredients there are…
Also, I just got a kitchen scale for my birthday, so you're after my own heart with this recipe! Can you believe I haven't been able to try some recipes for that reason?!
That's just because I used the hair dryer on them… :) And I can't believe that you just got a scale! I couldn't survive without one. I hope you get used to it quickly. I was very reluctant at first, but now I love it!
Ooh, what were you doing in Assisi? Vacation? Exchange? And you're absolutely correct – please forgive my mistake! I'll have to switch these from dessert to snacks immediately. ;)
This totally brings me back to Assisi, Italy. Those were my favorite snack. Yes… They are snacks. They have hazelnuts. Hazelnuts = healthy. Trust me.
gingerbread, chocolate, gingerbread, chocolate… this is why I love ya Erin. I am SO on board with all of December's scheduled posts ok? No holding back! These look incredible and I am happily loving another chocolate recipe my friend. PS: I adore Ferrero Rochers!
Haha. Well, I'm going to mix things up this week with some cranberry bars! That is, if I ever get pictures. They're just sitting, waiting for some daylight. And good to know that Ferrero Rocher is known in the US! At least people know what these are supposed to resemble. :)
This is very good idea! I will have to try some :-)
I hope you do! Let me know how they come out. :)
I've never even heard of these before, but they look fantastic!
I don't think that they have them in the US (unless you have an Italian specialty store) but that's okay. Homemade are even better! ;)
I often buy one (or sometimes a couple) of these from the sandwich shop near the office when I buy my lunch. They are the perfect little afternoon treat but I've never thought of making them at home!
You've gotta try them! They're so much better homemade. And that's not something that I often say.
I'm overwhelmed! Homemade baci and peanut butter hot chocolate?! I want both right now! :)
Sounds like a good pair! Go for it. :)
Yes we will happily endure 'another' chocolate recipe – and boy, do I ever like the way you think! I love Nutella and anytime I can make desserts or candy or something no-bake with it, I'm even happier. They're gorgeous!
Haha. Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that you can endure one more. :) And I love no bake stuff. Mr. Texanerin is very concerned about energy consumption so I suppose we're a good pair. ;)
These Bacis bring back childhood memories; growing up in Beirut, my dad had friends and business dealings in Italy and on every trip he'd bring us some Bacis back; in those days, you could not find them in Lebanon so it was such a treat!
Now the bacis are evrywhere and they don't seem so special anymore; I applaud you for making them yourself they look fantastic!
Everywhere?! I've only ever seen them in Italy and in the Italian store here in Germany. I'm happy that these brought back a childhood memory for you. :) I love comments like this. Thank you very much!
Yum! What a great and easy looking recipe Erin! I totally have to make these :-) love your blog so much!
How are you dealing with the cold?!
I hope you do! And thank you. :) I'm doing okay. It's just… way too cold. I mean, how many pairs of socks and pants can one really wear?
These look good! Oddly enough I like the look of them without the chocolate coating more than I do with the chocolate coating on top.
Becca! Now that you've pointed that out, I forgot the chopped hazelnut topping to make them all pretty. UGH!
Wow these look unreal…I wish I could have a few tonight!! I have joined the google healthier baking community :-)
Yay, thanks for joining! Now participate, you. :)
Sigh – I miss Italy! These cookies could definitely help with that! YUM.
Ooh, you've also been! Where did you go?
Oh yum! I don't think i ever had baci during the times I was in Italy – too bad, because they look + sound fantastic! I'll just have to whip up some for myself one of these days. =)
The homemade ones are better anyway! Where did you go in Italy? I looove Italy. :)