The February 5 this year is World Nutella Day: an annual event dedicated to celebrating the creamy, rich and chocolatey hazelnut spread beloved by adults and kids alike. Manufactured by the same company behind Ferrero Rocher chocolates, it was first introduced in 1964 and has only grown in popularity ever since. The Italian postal service even issued a commemorative stamp in 2014 to honour its 50th anniversary.
With a winning combination of chocolate and hazelnut, it makes for the perfect breakfast when smeared atop some toast, or when lathered generously over old-school waffles from your favourite neighbourhood bakery. If you want something that’s a bit more special, you can try the following chocolate hazelnut desserts that range from gelato to brownies to crêpes.
Edith Patisserie’s Chocolate Hazelnut Cake is the perfect pick to celebrate a special occasion. The artful bake is made of moist and fluffy chocolate sponge cake layered with crunchy hazelnut praline and roasted hazelnuts, and is crowned with chocolate Chantilly cream and a ring of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Each decadent bite has a great textural contrast and is bound to have you reaching for a second slice.
275 Outram Road, Singapore 169064, +65 6443 7150
9 Penang Road, #01-06, Singapore 238459, +65 8860 7329
One of the newer gelato purveyors in Singapore, Dopa scoops up artisanal gelato in a myriad of creative flavours: think Butter & Apple Jam and Strawberry Honey, plus assorted nut-based options. Their crowd-favourite Ferrero gelato is a luscious concoction crafted with velvety homemade hazelnut paste, cocoa powder and dark chocolate. Get it on a cone, or in a 650ml take-home pack for enjoying throughout the week.
29 South Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 058665, +65 6535 3539
7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #01-107, Singapore 081007, +65 9076 1236
If you’re on the hunt for a gift for a Nutella aficionado, consider nabbing these Nutella cookies (also known as Nutella tarts) from Café Rui, which come packaged in circular tins with adorable graphics. The cookies have a fragrant aroma – thanks to the use of premium French butter – and a nice snap when you bite into them, while the plentiful Nutella filling is moist and creamy. Besides this classic version, they also offer a Nutella Biscoff flavour.
+65 9120 8477
Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery is arguably one of the top spots in the city-state to get your sourdough donuts. Other than a rotating slate of seasonal delights (think Chestnut Pecan and Sticky Date Pudding), they also put out permanent flavours including Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Praline. The donut boasts a light and spongy dough and is piped with a thick – but not cloyingly sweet – dark chocolate filling tinged with freshly roasted hazelnuts.
9 Penang Road, #02-03, Singapore 238459, +65 9847 0203
78 Airport Boulevard, #02-237, Singapore 819666
This popular chain from Japan specialises in soft and jiggly soufflé pancakes, and has outlets at Ngee Ann City and Bugis Junction. Fans of chocolate and hazelnut can make a beeline for the Kiseki Pancake Hazelnut Chocolate. The beautifully plated dish features wonderfully wobbly pancakes, hazelnut praline cream, 55% Valrhona chocolate cream, chocolate shards, caramelised banana and a pool of chocolate sauce, and makes for a lovely brunch or afternoon pick-me-up.
391A Orchard Road, #B1-56, Singapore 238873
80 Middle Road, #01-97, Singapore 188966
With an owner and head baker that trained in the art of French patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu, you know you’ll be getting some legit bakes at Lucia Cakes. The bakery specialises in fudgy, moist and chocolatey brownies that are made in small batches throughout the day and are available in bite-sized pieces that can be ordered as a box of 16, 36 or 64. Their Nutella brownie is topped with a tiny dollop of Nutella spread and is sure to please hardcore Nutella lovers.
93A Club Street, Singapore 069461, +65 8181 3505
Transport yourself to Paris with a delightful meal at Gather. Located within Raffles Arcade, the café is a bright and well-lit space with stylish interiors and offers a selection of crêpes, galettes and seriously tasty coffee. Among the choices available is a chocolate hazelnut crêpe. It features 73.5% dark chocolate, feuilletine and yummy hazelnut ganache folded into a thin, eggy crêpe. Pair it with an espresso, kombucha or freshly squeezed fruit juice.
328 North Bridge Road, #01-12, Singapore 188719
Elijah Pies is known for their almost-too-pretty-to-eat creations, and one of their best-selling items is the Nutella Pie, which can be purchased as a standard nine-inch pie or as part of their specially curated assortment of mini pies (available for a limited time only). The dessert has a sturdy and buttery crust and rich and bittersweet dark chocolate filling, plus a dusting of roasted hazelnuts. It isn’t cloyingly sweet and is best enjoyed straight out of the fridge.
803 King George’s Avenue, #02-216, Singapore 200803, +65 9855 9480