Hazelnuts transform ordinary desserts into extraordinary treats with their rich, nutty flavor and satisfying crunch. Whether you’re crazy about chocolate-hazelnut combinations or prefer subtle nutty notes in your baked goods, these recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth.
From classic cookies to show-stopping cakes, I’ve gathered 20 hazelnut desserts that will impress your family and friends while being surprisingly simple to make.
1. Chocolate Hazelnut Torte
Holy mouthgasm! This flourless chocolate hazelnut torte is what dessert dreams are made of. Ground hazelnuts replace flour, creating a decadent texture that’s somehow both fudgy and light.
The secret? Whipping egg whites separately before folding them into the batter. This technique creates tiny air pockets that give the torte its signature melt-in-your-mouth quality.
2. Hazelnut Crème Brûlée
Crack! That’s the sound of spoon-breaking bliss when you shatter the caramelized sugar top of this hazelnut-infused crème brûlée. The custard beneath hides a secret – hazelnuts steeped in warm cream for hours, infusing every spoonful with nutty essence.
Unlike traditional versions, this recipe incorporates finely ground hazelnuts into the base, creating tiny flavor bombs that explode with each bite. The contrast between silky custard and crunchy sugar is already magical.
3. Hazelnut Espresso Brownies
Coffee addicts, unite! These brownies pack a double-caffeine punch that’ll make your taste buds do the cha-cha. Ground hazelnuts and espresso powder transform ordinary brownies into something dangerously addictive.
The hazelnuts don’t just add flavor – they create pockets of nutty goodness throughout the dense, fudgy base. A shot of espresso intensifies the chocolate while balancing the sweetness.
4. Hazelnut Meringue Cookies
Clouds you can eat! These airy hazelnut meringues shatter at first bite, then dissolve into sweet nothingness. The secret to their ethereal texture? Whipping egg whites until they form stiff peaks before gently folding in ground hazelnuts.
Brown sugar instead of white gives these meringues a caramel undertone that perfectly complements the toasted hazelnuts. A pinch of salt heightens the flavor contrast, making the sweetness sing rather than shout.
5. Hazelnut Cheesecake
Forget everything you thought you knew about cheesecake! This hazelnut version will ruin you for all others. The crust? Crushed hazelnuts mixed with butter and a hint of cinnamon – already miles better than boring graham crackers.
The filling combines cream cheese with hazelnut paste for a silky texture that’s both rich and surprisingly light. Little pockets of chopped hazelnuts provide textural contrast against the smooth cheesecake base.
6. Hazelnut Butter Cookies
Grandma’s butter cookies just got a major upgrade! These melt-in-your-mouth treasures swap plain butter for hazelnut butter, creating a nutty dimension that’ll make your eyes roll back in pleasure.
The dough comes together in minutes – no fancy equipment needed. Just mix, roll, slice, and bake. The real magic happens when the warm cookies meet a bowl of melted chocolate for dipping.
7. Hazelnut Tiramisu
Mamma mia! This ain’t your nonna’s tiramisu. Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur) replaces the traditional rum, infusing every bite with nutty warmth that’ll make you want to dance on tables.
Ladyfingers soaked in espresso and Frangelico form the foundation, while mascarpone cream studded with crushed hazelnuts builds the dreamy layers. Each spoonful delivers the perfect balance of coffee, booze, cream, and crunch.
8. Hazelnut Chocolate Soufflé
Feeling fancy? This chocolate hazelnut soufflé is restaurant-quality drama on a plate! Don’t panic about the rise – the secret is in the prep. Coat ramekins with butter and sugar, creating a rough surface for the batter to climb.
Hazelnut paste mixed into the chocolate base gives depth without weighing down the delicate structure. The moment of truth comes when you pull these beauties from the oven – puffed, proud, and practically begging for attention.
9. Hazelnut Panna Cotta
Sexy jiggles ahead! This hazelnut panna cotta quivers with promise on the plate. Toasted hazelnuts steeped in cream create a nutty infusion that transforms this Italian classic into something wildly addictive.
The secret to that perfect wobble? Just enough gelatin to hold its shape without turning rubbery. A splash of Frangelico amplifies the hazelnut flavor without overwhelming the delicate base.
10. Hazelnut Chocolate Tart
Chocolate lovers, prepare to lose your minds! This tart features a hazelnut crust that shatters beautifully under your fork, revealing a silky chocolate ganache that’s been infused with hazelnut praline paste.
The contrast between crisp crust and velvety filling creates textural magic in every bite. A hint of sea salt cuts through the richness, preventing sweetness overload. Slice thinly – this rich beauty satisfies even the most demanding chocolate cravings with just a few bites!
11. Hazelnut Gelato
Forget boring vanilla ice cream! This hazelnut gelato is creamy nirvana that’ll make you question why you ever settled for less. Toasted hazelnuts infuse the custard base, creating depth that store-bought versions can only dream about.
The secret to that signature gelato texture? Less air whipped in during freezing and a higher milk-to-cream ratio than American ice cream. The result is denser, silkier, and more intensely flavored.
12. Hazelnut Baklava
Baklava gets a nutty makeover! Swapping traditional walnuts for hazelnuts creates a flavor bomb that’ll make your taste buds dance the sirtaki. Paper-thin phyllo dough layered with butter forms the flaky foundation for spiced ground hazelnuts.
The game-changer? Orange blossom honey syrup infused with cinnamon that soaks into every layer. Each bite delivers a perfect harmony of crispy, nutty, sweet, and spiced.
13. Hazelnut Macarons
Feeling fancy? These hazelnut macarons will make you strut around your kitchen like a Parisian pastry chef! The shells incorporate finely ground hazelnuts alongside almond flour, creating a complex nuttiness that basic macarons lack.
The filling? Chocolate ganache spiked with hazelnut liqueur. The slight boozy kick elevates these from cute cookies to sophisticated treats.
14. Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls just got a serious upgrade! These hazelnut-stuffed spirals will make your kitchen smell like heaven and your family worship the ground you walk on. The dough incorporates ground hazelnuts for nutty depth that plain rolls can only dream about.
The filling combines brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped hazelnuts for texture that’ll make each bite a revelation. A splash of hazelnut liqueur in the glaze takes these from breakfast to dessert territory in one boozy swoop.
15. Hazelnut Biscotti
Coffee’s perfect companion has arrived! These twice-baked Italian cookies feature whole hazelnuts that create gorgeous pockets of crunch throughout. Unlike rock-hard store versions that threaten dental work, homemade biscotti strikes the perfect balance between crisp and pleasantly chewy.
Orange zest and a splash of amaretto complement the hazelnuts without stealing their spotlight. The double-baking process creates that signature crunch while concentrating the flavors to intense perfection.
16. Hazelnut Churros
Churros just got a nutty makeover! These crispy Spanish-inspired treats incorporate ground hazelnuts into the dough for a flavor twist that’ll make traditional versions seem boring by comparison.
The batter pipes easily through a star tip, creating those signature ridges that capture cinnamon sugar in every bite. Fresh from the fryer, these beauties are crisp outside, tender inside, with subtle hazelnut notes that elevate them from fair food to gourmet indulgence.
17. Hazelnut Pavlova
Behold the showstopper! This hazelnut pavlova combines crisp meringue shell and marshmallowy center in one dramatic dessert. Ground hazelnuts folded into the meringue create nutty notes throughout the crisp exterior.
The crater center becomes a playground for whipped cream spiked with Frangelico and topped with fresh berries. Each bite delivers a texture symphony – crisp shell, chewy middle, silky cream, juicy fruit.
18. Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
Nostalgia alert! These hazelnut thumbprint cookies will transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen, but with a gourmet twist. The buttery shortbread base incorporates ground hazelnuts for a nutty dimension that makes traditional versions seem one-dimensional.
The “thumbprint” center cradles homemade chocolate-hazelnut ganache that sets to a fudgy consistency. A sprinkle of sea salt before baking creates that magical sweet-salty balance that makes cookies irresistible.
19. Hazelnut Bread Pudding
Stale bread transforms into pure magic in this hazelnut-studded comfort classic! Chunks of brioche soak up a custard infused with hazelnut liqueur, creating a pudding that’s simultaneously homey and sophisticated.
Whole hazelnuts scattered throughout provide textural contrast against the soft pudding base. The secret to that perfect consistency? A water bath during baking prevents the edges from overcooking while the center sets perfectly.
20. Hazelnut Financiers
These fancy little French cakes might sound intimidating, but they’re surprisingly simple to make! Traditional financiers use almonds, but hazelnuts create a more complex flavor profile that’ll make you feel like a pastry genius.
Brown butter gives these tiny treats their distinctive nutty aroma and moist texture. The batter comes together in minutes, then bakes in mini molds to create perfect two-bite indulgences.