What are Nutella Biscuits made out of?

Nutella Biscuits are a delicious chocolate hazelnut sandwich cookie made by the Italian company Ferrero. They consist of two baked wafer biscuits filled with Nutella hazelnut chocolate spread. Nutella Biscuits have become extremely popular around the world due to their tasty combination of crispy wafer cookies and creamy Nutella filling.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

The main ingredients in Nutella Biscuits are:

Wheat flour – This makes up the crisp, baked wafer biscuits that form the outside of the Nutella sandwich cookie.
Sugar – Sugar adds sweetness to the wafer biscuits.
Palm oil – Palm oil gives the wafers their smooth texture.

Hazelnuts – Ground hazelnuts provide the nutty flavor and make up 13% of the Nutella filling.
Cocoa – Cocoa powder gives the Nutella its chocolatey taste.
Milk powder – Milk powder contributes to the creamy texture of the Nutella.

Emulsifier – Lecithin is used as an emulsifier to bind together the oil and water in the Nutella.
Vanillin – Vanillin provides the sweet vanilla notes in the Nutella filling.

In addition to these main ingredients, Nutella Biscuits also contain small amounts of other ingredients like soy lecithin, yeast, raising agents, and salt.

Nutritional Information

Here is the nutritional information for Nutella Biscuits according to the product packaging:

Serving Size	1 Package (2 Cookies / 35g)
Calories	180
Total Fat	9g
Saturated Fat	3.5g
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	40mg
Total Carbohydrates	24g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Total Sugars	14g
Added Sugars	13g
Protein	2g

As you can see, a single serving of Nutella Biscuits contains 180 calories, 9g of fat, 24g of carbohydrates, and 14g of sugar. The main ingredients – wheat flour, sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, and cocoa – contribute to the majority of these nutrients.

Manufacturing Process

Nutella Biscuits go through a complex manufacturing process at Ferrero factories to achieve their signature taste and texture. Here are the key steps:

Mixing – The dry ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, and cocoa powder are combined and mixed with water, oil, and lecithin to form a dough mixture.
Kneading – The dough is kneaded thoroughly to distribute the ingredients evenly and achieve a smooth, elastic texture.
Cutting – The dough is flattened and cut into smaller pieces that will form the top and bottom biscuits.

Baking – The dough pieces are baked at high heat to obtain crunchy, crisp wafers.
Filling – The Nutella is prepared by mixing hazelnuts, cocoa, milk powder, sugar, oil, and emulsifiers. The filling is spread onto the bottom biscuit.
Assembly – A top biscuit is placed over the Nutella filling and the edges are pinched together to seal in the filling.

Packaging – The finished Nutella Biscuits are packaged into protective pouches to maintain freshness.

Automated machines assist with much of the cookie production process, but there are also quality control checks performed by human employees at multiple stages.

History of Nutella Biscuits

The origins of Nutella Biscuits trace back to the early 1960s when Italian pastry maker Michele Ferrero first had the idea of making a chocolate sandwich cookie. At the time, Nutella was gaining popularity in Italy as a breakfast spread. Ferrero experimented with baking a wafer cookie and filling it with the unique Nutella paste.

The new Nutella wafer cookie was test marketed in 1968 under the name “Ferrero Giandujot.” The product was mildly successful regionally but did not expand much further. Over the next few decades, Ferrero continued to tweak and improve the recipe. Nutella also grew into an international brand which boosted the public’s appetite for Nutella-filled products.

Finally, in 1983 the chocolate hazelnut biscuits officially launched under the Nutella brand name. Nutella Biscuits rolled out across Italy before expanding to markets like Germany, France, and Eastern Europe. New manufacturing facilities allowed Nutella Biscuits to reach millions of consumers worldwide throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

In more recent years, Nutella Biscuits introduced new flavors such as white chocolate, dark chocolate, and coconut. Limited Edition flavors like “Strawberry Heart” have also appeared for Valentine’s Day. While the original recipe remains the most popular, these variations help keep Nutella Biscuits feeling fresh and exciting for customers.

Popularity in Europe vs. U.S.

Since their creation in Italy, Nutella Biscuits have always enjoyed immense popularity across Europe. For many European children and adults alike, the treat sparks nostalgia and holds a special place among chocolate sandwich cookies.

However, Nutella Biscuits are not as well known or widely available in the United States. Europe has access to Nutella Biscuits in grocery stores, gas stations, vending machines, and corner shops. Due to differences in distribution and marketing, the average American consumer simply has far less access to this Italian cult favorite.

There are certain specialty import shops and online retailers that carry Nutella Biscuits for American fans of the European brand. But they remain a niche product in the U.S. compared to staples like Oreos that dominate the American cookie aisle.

Why Nutella Biscuits are so Popular

There are several key factors that explain why Nutella Biscuits have won over so many fans:

Taste – The combination of crunchy, slightly sweet biscuits and ultra-chocolatey Nutella filling is hard to beat taste-wise. The flavors complement each other perfectly in each bite.
Convenience – Nutella Biscuits are portable, individually wrapped cookies that you can grab for a quick snack or packed lunch on-the-go.

Nostalgia – For many who grew up eating Nutella Biscuits, just a bite sparks happy childhood memories. They provide a sense of comfort and familiarity.
Quality – Ferrero has maintained a reputation for quality ingredients and meticulous production standards. Customers trust Nutella Biscuits to deliver a consistently delicious product.
Affordability – Nutella Biscuits offer an indulgent treat at a reasonable price point. The cost makes them accessible to consumers on a day-to-day basis.

Given these strengths, it’s easy to understand Nutella Biscuits’ leading role in the European cookie market. The brand has successfully blended taste, convenience, nostalgia, quality, and value in each pack of their signature chocolate hazelnut treat.

Where to Buy Nutella Biscuits

Here are some of the best places to buy Nutella Biscuits:

Online

Amazon – Nutella Biscuits can be purchased through Amazon.com or Amazon resellers importing the Italian cookies.

eBay – Many eBay sellers offer Nutella Biscuits shipped from Europe to worldwide customers.
Specialty websites – Sites like MiaItalia.com, ItalianoDirect.com, and OnlineItalianGrocery.com carry Nutella Biscuits for U.S. and global shipping.

Grocery Stores

ethnic markets – Stores specializing in European foods often have Nutella Biscuits imported from Italy.

World Market – World Market is a U.S. chain selling international foods, including Nutella Biscuits.
Eataly – The Italian marketplace Eataly carries Nutella Biscuits at its locations across the U.S.

Other Retailers

Warehouse clubs – Some Costco and Sam’s Club locations stock Nutella Biscuits seasonally or in imported food sections.

Military base stores – Base stores at overseas U.S. military installations frequently sell Nutella Biscuits along with other European favorites.
Duty-free shops – Nutella Biscuits can often be purchased at duty-free shops in international airports.

Checking for Nutella Biscuits at retailers that specialize in European goods will give you the best chance of finding this popular Italian treat.

Nutella Biscuit Recipes and Pairings

While Nutella Biscuits are perfect on their own as a snack, there are also fun recipe ideas that use the cookies in creative ways:

No-Bake Desserts

Refrigerator cake – Layer Nutella Biscuits with whipped cream or pudding to create an easy no-bake cake.
Icebox pie – Crush Nutella Biscuits into a crust and fill with instant pudding, fresh fruit, and whipped cream.

Parfaits – Alternate layers of Nutella Biscuit pieces, chocolate pudding or yogurt, bananas, hazelnuts, and whipped cream.

Holiday Recipes

Halloween bark – Melt chocolate over Nutella Biscuit pieces and top with Halloween candy.
Christmas tree snacks – Break Nutella Biscuits into triangle shapes and use icing to decorate like a Christmas tree.

Valentine’s day “roses” – Pipe cream cheese frosting onto a Nutella Biscuit and top with strawberry slice “petals.”

Plating Ideas

Ice cream sandwiches – Place a scoop of gelato or ice cream between two Nutella Biscuits.
Tiramisu – Use crumbled Nutella Biscuits in layered desserts with mascarpone and coffee or espresso.

Cheesecake crust – Crush Nutella Biscuits into crumbs to create a unique crust for cheesecake.
S’mores – Use Nutella Biscuits instead of graham crackers to hold roasted marshmallows and chocolate.

Nutella Biscuits can be used creatively in recipes as sandwich cookies, as a crunchy topping or mix-in, or crumbled into crusts and bases. Their versatility makes them a unique ingredient for all types of desserts.

Conclusion

With their crispy biscuit texture and distinctive chocolate-hazelnut flavor, it’s easy to see why Nutella Biscuits are adored by so many in Europe and around the world. The classic Italian treat offers the perfect bite-sized snack or dessert. Nutella Biscuits hold a special nostalgic significance for those who grew up enjoying their signature taste and quality.

While Nutella Biscuits may be difficult to find in the U.S. compared to Europe, their popularity shows no signs of waning. Fans can order them through online stores or seek out retailers specializing in imported goods to get their hands on these chocolatey sandwich cookies. No matter how you enjoy them – on their own, in recipes, or paired with coffee or tea – Nutella Biscuits deliver that unique Ferrero flavor in each satisfying bite.