In this episode of "Gourmet Makes" by Bon Appétit, a pastry chef takes on the challenge of recreating the iconic Ferrero Rocher chocolate. The goal is to make a homemade version that not only looks like the original but also has the same luxurious taste.

The video begins with the chef, Claire Saffitz, explaining her plan to dissect the components of the Ferrero Rocher and recreate them from scratch. She starts by analyzing the crunchy hazelnut filling, the wafer shell, and the smooth hazelnut chocolate coating.

To make the hazelnut filling, Claire combines toasted hazelnuts, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder, blending them to a paste-like consistency.

She then rolls the mixture into small balls and refrigerates them to become firm.

Next, Claire tackles the wafer shell. She attempts to recreate the thin, crispy layers by preparing a batter with flour, sugar, cornstarch, eggs, and melted butter. She spreads the batter thinly on a baking mat and bakes it until golden and crisp. Once cooled, she cuts the wafer into small circles, similar to the shape of a Ferrero Rocher.

The third component, the smooth hazelnut chocolate coating, proves to be more challenging. Claire melts dark chocolate and adds hazelnut praline paste to create a rich, nutty flavor.

However, she struggles to achieve the same smooth consistency as the original chocolate. After experimenting with various techniques, she decides to use a melanger, a machine that grinds and refines the chocolate to a silky texture.

With all the components prepared, Claire assembles the homemade Ferrero Rocher. She coats the hazelnut filling balls with the hazelnut chocolate, ensuring they are fully covered. Then, she places each coated ball onto a wafer circle and covers it with another circle, creating a chocolate-covered hazelnut sandwich. Finally, she coats the entire sandwich with a final layer of chocolate and lets it set.

After the final product sets, Claire tastes her creation. While she admits that the homemade version does not exactly mimic the Ferrero Rocher she grew up with, she is proud of the result. The flavor is rich and nutty, and the texture is satisfyingly crunchy yet smooth.

In conclusion, this episode of "Gourmet Makes" showcases Claire's endeavor to recreate the iconic Ferrero Rocher chocolate. Although the process involves dissecting and making each component from scratch, she successfully produces a gourmet version that closely resembles the original in taste and appearance.